Wedding Save The Dates: Mastering The Art Of Addressing Postcards

Save-the-date postcards are the first announcement most wedding guests will receive about your upcoming nuptials. They are a fun and playful way to invite guests to your wedding and can be customised with a variety of designs and colours to match the couple's wedding theme. When addressing save-the-date postcards, it is customary to use full names and titles such as Mr, Mrs, Ms, and Mx. For formal invites, use both the first and last name of the guest. For more casual weddings, nicknames can be used. It is also important to account for children and to include professional or military titles. When listing the location, write out the full name of the city – for example, Los Angeles instead of LA.

Full names and titles

When addressing wedding save-the-date postcards, it's important to use the correct titles and full names of your guests. Here are some guidelines to help you with this task:

Use Formal Titles

It is customary to use formal titles such as "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Miss", "Ms.", "Dr.", "Rev.", etc. when addressing your save-the-date postcards. However, the use of titles is optional and you can choose to omit them, especially if you prefer a more casual approach. If you do use titles, be consistent throughout your save-the-dates and wedding invitations.

Address Married Couples

When addressing married couples, you can use their full names with or without titles. Traditionally, the husband's name is listed first, followed by the wife's name. However, you can choose to list the person you are closest to first or use alphabetical order, especially for same-sex couples. Here are some examples:

"Mr. and Mrs. Weston Scott"

"Dr. Ellie Scott and Mr. Weston Scott"

"Mrs. Hannah Thomas and Mr. Bradley Thomas"

Address Unmarried Couples

For unmarried couples who share an invitation, write out both their full names completely, with "and" in between. You can choose to list the person you are closest to first or use alphabetical order for same-sex couples. Here are some examples:

"Julia Harlow and Reid Aupperle"

"Ms. Julia Harlow and Mr. Reid Aupperle"

"Melissa Yates and Richard Walker"

Address Single Guests

For single guests, you can use their full names with or without a title. If you are extending a plus-one invitation, simply add "and Guest" after their full name. Here are some examples:

"Kara Benson and Guest"

"Michael Long and Guest"

"Javier Lagos and Guest"

Address Families

When inviting families, you have the option to address the whole family or list the names of each family member. If you choose to list individual names, write the names of any children under the age of 18 on the line below their parents' names. Here are some examples:

"Tony, Ana, Katie and Peter Garcia"

"Mr. Tony, Mrs. Ana, Katie and Peter Garcia"

"George, Tina, Matthew, and Imogen Wilkinson"

Account for children

When addressing your wedding save the date postcards, it's important to account for children in the following ways:

• If you're inviting a child who is 18 or older, send them their own save the date card.
• For younger children, include the names of each child on a separate line below the parents' names.
• Use full names, including both the first and last name of the guest. For a more casual wedding, you can use nicknames.
• Use titles such as Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Mx. If you're unsure of a guest's preferred title, simply ask! You can also choose not to use any titles at all.
• Don't use abbreviations for locations. Write out the full name of the city and state/country where the wedding will take place.

Don't abbreviate locations

When addressing your wedding save-the-date postcards, it's important to remember not to abbreviate the location of the wedding. This means writing out the full name of the city or town where the wedding will take place. For example, instead of writing "LA", spell out "Los Angeles" in full. Similarly, use "New York City" instead of "NYC" or a nickname like the "Big Apple".

The location of the wedding is an essential piece of information for your guests, as it allows them to make travel arrangements if necessary. By providing the full name of the location, you can avoid any confusion and ensure that your guests can easily find the wedding venue.

While it's important to include the full location name, you don't need to have the exact address finalised before sending out your save-the-date cards. It's perfectly fine to just include the state, region, or country where the wedding will be held. This gives your guests a general idea of the location, and you can always provide more specific details in the formal invitation that follows.

Remember, the save-the-date postcards are just the first step in notifying your guests about your upcoming nuptials. They should be sent out about six months to one year before the wedding, with more specific details to follow in the formal invitation. This gives your guests plenty of time to clear their calendars and make any necessary travel arrangements, especially if your wedding is a destination wedding.

So, when addressing your save-the-date postcards, take the time to write out the full location name. This will help ensure that your guests have the information they need to start planning for your big day.

Bride's name first

When addressing wedding save-the-date postcards, it's important to remember that the bride-to-be's name is traditionally listed first, but you can choose to present the names in whichever way you prefer. Here are some examples of how to address the postcards, assuming the bride's name is listed first:

For a Single Female:

The formal way to address a save-the-date card to a single female guest is "Ms. [First name] [Last name]". If she is under 18, use "Miss" instead of "Ms.". If you are offering a plus-one, you can add "and Guest" to the address.

Examples:

• Ms. Ashleigh Nichol
• Miss Ashleigh Nichol
• Ms. Ashleigh Nichol and Guest
• Miss Ashleigh Nichol and Guest

For a Single Male:

There is no distinction between a single and married man when addressing save-the-date postcards. Address his postcard as "Mr. [First name] [Last name]". If you are offering a plus-one, you can add "and Guest" to the address.

Examples:

• Mr. Javier Lagos
• Javier Lagos
• Mr. Javier Lagos and Guest
• Javier Lagos and Guest

For a Married Couple:

For a heterosexual married couple, the traditional way to address the postcard is "Mr. and Mrs. [Husband's first name] [Shared last name]". However, modern alternatives include listing the bride's name first or writing out both of their full names.

Examples:

• Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren
• Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren
• Mr. and Mrs. Michelle Warren
• Thomas Warren and Michelle Warren

For a Married Couple with Different Last Names:

When addressing a married couple where the wife has chosen to keep her last name, it is still appropriate to cite the husband's name first: "Mr. [Husband's first name] [Husband's last name] and Mrs. [Wife's first name] [Wife's last name]".

Examples:

• Mr. John Smith and Mrs. Anna Jones
• Mr. Smith and Mrs. Jones
• John Smith and Anna Jones

For an Unmarried Couple:

For an unmarried couple living at the same address, address the postcard to both people on one line, listing the person you are closest to first, or arranging the names alphabetically.

Examples:

• Ms. Amanda Rhee and Mr. Stanley Kim
• Amanda Rhee and Stanley Kim
• Ms. Rhee and Mr. Kim

Remember, these are just some examples, and you can choose to format the names however you prefer. You can also include nicknames or additional details, such as professional titles, to make the addresses more personal.

Envelope or no envelope?

When it comes to sending out save-the-date postcards for your wedding, you may be wondering if you need to include an envelope. Here are some things to consider:

No Envelope:

• Cost savings: Sending postcards without envelopes can save you money on printing and envelope costs. It can also be cheaper to mail postcards as postage rates are based on size, shape, and weight.
• Time-saving: Eliminating the need for envelopes saves you time as you don't have to stuff each card into an envelope.
• Convenience for recipients: Postcards are easier for recipients to read and are less likely to be thrown away or mixed up with other mail.
• Simplicity and informality: Postcards can be a fun and playful way to invite guests, allowing you to be creative with your design and wording.

Envelope:

• Privacy: Envelopes keep your wedding information and photos private from strangers.
• Protection: They also protect your postcards from getting bent, smudged, or damaged during mailing.
• Formality: If you prefer a more formal or traditional look for your save-the-date announcements, envelopes can help achieve that.
• Additional information: Envelopes provide space for inserts such as maps, directions, or other details about the wedding.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to use an envelope or not depends on your personal preference, the level of formality you want to convey, and the specific needs of your event. You can choose to include envelopes for all guests or only for those who live far away. Be sure to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option and select the approach that best suits your wedding plans.

Frequently asked questions