Wedding Invite Etiquette: Street Names And Formal Addressing

When it comes to addressing wedding invites, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that your guests feel welcome and respected. Firstly, it is important to use the full, formal names of your guests, including their middle names if you know them. For married couples, the traditional format is to use Mr. and Mrs. followed by the husband's full name. However, in modern times, it is also acceptable to list the wife's name first or use both names, especially if the couple shares a hyphenated last name. For unmarried couples living at the same address, list both names on one line, with the person you are closest to first. When addressing a single woman, use Ms. if she is over 18 and Miss if she is younger. For a single man, Mr. is appropriate if he is over 18, otherwise no title is needed. In terms of street names, always spell out the full name, such as Street or Road, and avoid abbreviations. Numeric street names should also be spelled out, for example, Sixty-Seventh Street instead of 67th Street.

Spell out street names in full

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to remember to always use the complete, formal name of your guest. This includes spelling out street names in full. For example, instead of abbreviating "St.", write out "Street" in full. The same rule applies to directional words like "North", "South", "East", and "West", as well as terms like "Post Office Box", "Apartment", "Boulevard", and "Lane".

For a Single Woman:

• Outer envelope: "Ms. Sarah Thompson, 123 Main Street, Anytown, Washington, District of Columbia, 12345"
• Inner envelope: "Ms. Thompson"

For a Single Man:

• Outer envelope: "Mr. John Smith, 456 Oak Street, Anytown, Minnesota, 56789"
• Inner envelope: "Mr. Smith"

For a Married Couple:

• Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, 789 Maple Street, Anytown, Georgia, 98765"
• Inner envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Smith"

For an Unmarried Couple Living Together:

• Outer envelope: "Ms. Sarah Thompson and Mr. John Smith, 101 Rose Street, Anytown, Texas, 76543"
• Inner envelope: "Ms. Thompson and Mr. Smith"

For a Family with Children:

• Outer envelope: "The Thompson Family, 222 Lilac Street, Anytown, Florida, 34567"
• Inner envelope: "Alan, Emily, Roger, Chance, Miss Jennifer, and Miss Lily"

Write out numeric street names

When addressing wedding invitations, it is important to follow certain etiquette to ensure your guests feel welcome on your big day. While there is flexibility in how you address your guests, there are some basic rules to keep in mind when it comes to numeric street names.

Firstly, always write out the full, formal name of your guest. For example, if your guest's name is "Uncle Steve", his formal name might be "Mr. Steven Lewis Nelson". Use your guest's full middle name if you know it, and omit it if you don't. Never use initials or abbreviations for street names, such as "&" for "and", or shorthand versions of "Avenue", "Road", "Street", and "Highway". Write out the full state name, instead of using the abbreviation. For example, write "Alabama" instead of "AL".

When it comes to numeric street names, the general rule is to write them out exactly as they appear in the ZIP+4 file. For example, write "7TH ST" or "SEVENTH ST" instead of "7th St". However, there may be cases where you need to spell out numeric street names. If there are duplicate street names within a postal delivery area and the only distinguishing factor is that one is spelled out, then you should spell it out. For example, if there are two "7th Streets" in the same postal delivery area, one might be written as "Seventh Street" to differentiate it from the other.

Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren, 7TH ST, City, State, ZIP Code"

Inner envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Warren, 7TH ST, City, State" or "Thomas and Michelle, 7TH ST, City, State"

If your guest has a strong aversion to their name being left out or lumped in with their spouse's, you can address the invitation as follows:

Outer envelope: "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren, 7TH ST, City, State, ZIP Code"

Inner envelope: "Mr. Warren and Mrs. Warren, 7TH ST, City, State" or "Thomas and Michelle, 7TH ST, City, State"

Remember to give yourself enough time to get your address list in order and double-check all the details before sending out your invitations.

Include and Guest in lowercase

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to use the correct titles and relationship status of your guests. Here are some tips and examples for addressing invitations to "Include and Guest" in lowercase:

Outer Envelope:

On the outer envelope, which includes the mailing address, postage, and return address, you should use formal titles and full names. For a single guest with a plus-one, list only the name of the person you are inviting, followed by "and guest" in lowercase. Here's an example:

> Mr. Zachary Morris and guest

If you know the name of the plus-one, it is more common to include their name as well, on a separate line:

> Ms. Jessica Spano

> Mr. Albert Clifford Slater

Inner Envelope:

The inner envelope is more informal and typically includes the names of the invited guests within the household. For a single guest with a plus-one, you can mention both names on separate lines:

> Ms. Spano

> Mr. Slater

Or, if you prefer a more casual approach, you can use their first names:

> Jessie

> A.C.

Alternatively, you can simply write:

> Mr. Morris and guest

General Guidelines:

• Use full names and appropriate titles on the outer envelope.
• Reserve "and guest" language for the inner envelope only.
• If you know the name of the plus-one, include it on the inner envelope.
• For a more casual approach, use first names only on the inner envelope.

Write out state names in full

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to remember to write out the full state name. While it may seem like a minor detail, it's one of the key elements that elevate your invitations and show your guests that you've put thought and care into your addressing.

• Write out the full state name, such as "Minnesota" or "District of Columbia", instead of using abbreviations like "MN" or "DC". This adds a touch of formality and elegance to your invitations.
• Use the same format for the state name as you do for the rest of the address. If you're writing your invitations in cursive, continue the cursive style for the state name. Consistency in the style creates a cohesive and polished look.
• Be mindful of space constraints, especially if you have long city names or multiple guests at the same address. In some cases, writing out the full state name may result in an overly crowded envelope, so use your best judgment.
• If you're concerned about postal service requirements, it's worth noting that the zip code is the most critical element for delivery. As long as the zip code is correct, your invitations should reach their destination without issue.
• Consider the overall aesthetic of your invitations. Writing out the full state name can add a touch of elegance, but in some cases, it may be preferable to use abbreviations to maintain a sleek and modern look, especially for inner envelopes.
• For a seamless and sophisticated presentation, ensure that your envelopes are properly formatted and assembled. This includes writing out addresses in full, using appropriate titles, and paying attention to the placement of guest names on both the outer and inner envelopes.

Remember, the key to successful wedding invitation addressing is a combination of etiquette, legibility, and style. By writing out state names in full, you're adhering to traditional etiquette guidelines while also ensuring that your invitations are clear and visually appealing.

Abbreviate Apartment to Apt

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to follow certain etiquette rules to ensure your guests feel welcomed and respected. While you can break some traditions, such as omitting titles if they don't align with your guests' identities, there are some long-standing guidelines to keep in mind.

One important aspect of addressing wedding invitations is ensuring you write out addresses in full, including street names. You should avoid using any abbreviations, including for words like "Avenue," "Road," "Street," and "Highway." This rule also applies to state names; for example, write out "Alabama" instead of using the postal abbreviation "AL."

Now, let's focus on the topic of abbreviating "Apartment" to "Apt." While it is generally recommended to avoid abbreviations in addresses, there is one common exception: "Apartment" can be abbreviated as "Apt." This abbreviation is often used in real estate listings, forms, and postal addressing. You'll commonly see "Apt." on envelopes, in newspaper ads, and on posted signs outside apartment rentals.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has simplified the abbreviation further by dropping the full stop and using all capital letters, so "Apt." becomes "APT." This is especially useful when space is limited, such as on an envelope or in a header.

• Joe Doe, 123 Adams Ct. Apt. 505, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
• Remember to pick up all deliveries from the doorman after reaching your Apt.

In summary, while it's best to write out street names and addresses in full on wedding invitations, the one exception is abbreviating "Apartment" as "Apt." or "APT," especially when space is a concern.

Frequently asked questions