Sealing The Deal: A Guide To Addressing Wedding Save-The-Date Envelopes

Planning a wedding can be a stressful time, but addressing your save-the-date envelopes doesn't have to be. Save-the-date envelopes are usually more casual than wedding invitation envelopes, so you have more flexibility with the wording and format. Here are some tips to help you get started:

- Be Clear About Who's Invited: It's important to specify who is invited to your wedding on the save-the-date envelopes. This avoids any confusion and ensures your guests know whether they have a plus one.

- Use Full Names: While save-the-dates are informal, it's customary to use the full names of your guests. Avoid nicknames or abbreviations, but use your judgement—the goal is to make your guests feel welcome, so use the name they prefer.

- Address Married Couples: Traditionally, the man's name is listed first, followed by his wife's name and their shared last name. However, you can choose to list the person you're closest to first or go in alphabetical order, especially for same-sex couples.

- Address Unmarried Couples: If the couple doesn't share a last name, include both their full names on the envelope. Again, you can list the names in whichever order feels most comfortable to you.

- Address Families: You can address the whole family or list each family member individually. If you use titles, girls under 18 are usually addressed as Miss, while boys under 18 don't need a title.

- Use of Titles: You don't have to use formal titles (Mr., Mrs., Miss, Dr., etc.) on save-the-date envelopes, but if you do, be consistent. For female guests over 18, Ms. is standard, while Miss is typically used for those under 18. For single men, Mr. is the standard title.

- Include a Return Address: Adding your return address to the save-the-date envelope is optional but helpful. It can be added to the front left corner or the back of the envelope.

Titles are optional for save the dates, but if you use them, be consistent

Save-the-date envelopes are less formal than wedding invitation envelopes, so you don't have to use titles if you don't want to (Mr., Mrs., Miss, Dr., etc.). However, if you do decide to use titles, be consistent. If you use titles, use them for all.

If you choose to forego titles on your save-the-dates, you can still use them on your wedding invitations. For formal save-the-dates, reference any formal titles of address for your guests. If you opt for titles, keep this consistent for all adult guests across your save-the-dates and wedding invitations.

For single female guests, use "Ms." if she is over 18 and "Miss" if she is under 18. For single male guests, you can use their first and last name without "Mr." unless they are over 18, in which case you may want to include the title.

For married couples, traditionally, the man's name is listed first, followed by his title and the couple's last name. However, this is completely up to you. Many couples choose to list their guests in alphabetical order or put the person they are closest to first, which is something to consider if you are addressing a same-sex couple.

For unmarried couples, use their proper titles and spell out their first and last names.

Use guests' full names, avoiding nicknames or abbreviations

When addressing your wedding save-the-date envelopes, it is customary to use your guests' full names. This means avoiding nicknames or abbreviations. Using full names is a good way to make your guests feel welcome, and it also helps to ensure there is less confusion when it comes to RSVPs.

Of course, there are no hard and fast rules, and it is ultimately up to you how you address your envelopes. If your friend Steve is known by their middle name, for example, it is perfectly acceptable to use that instead. The most important thing is that you use whichever name your guest prefers.

If you are including titles, be sure to use the correct ones. For female guests over the age of 18, use "Ms." and for those under 18, use "Miss". For male guests, it is acceptable to use just their first and last name without "Mr." unless they are over 18, in which case you can include the title if you wish. If your guest has a distinguished title, such as a doctor or member of the military, it is appropriate to use this on the envelope.

If you are inviting a couple who do not share a last name, be sure to include both of their names on the envelope. If you are only friends with one half of the couple, it is still more personal to include both names. In this case, write the name of the person you are closest to first. If you are equally close to both, you can simply alphabetize the order.

For families, you can address the envelope to the whole family or list each family member individually. If you are including titles, girls under 18 can be addressed as "Miss" and boys under 18 do not need a title.

Be clear about who is invited, especially if you're inviting children

When it comes to addressing wedding save-the-date envelopes, it's important to be clear about who is invited, especially if children are included. Here are some guidelines to ensure your guests understand your intentions:

Using Inner and Outer Envelopes (Formal)

If you choose to use both inner and outer envelopes, the outer envelope should include the guest's complete and formal name, along with their mailing address. Avoid including children's names on the outer envelope. The inner envelope, on the other hand, should list the titles and last names of the primary guests, without the need for a mailing address.

When inviting children, it's important to list their names under their parents' names, from oldest to youngest, on the inner envelope. Children over the age of 18 and still living with their parents should receive their own invitation. For young girls, the title "Miss" is typically used, while boys under 18 do not need a title. If you want to add formality, use "Master" for boys under 13.

Using a Single Outer Envelope (Informal)

When using only an outer envelope, write the guest's complete and formal name, along with their mailing address. Similar to the formal approach, list children under their parents' names, from oldest to youngest. Children over 18 who live with their parents should receive separate invitations.

Addressing Families

When addressing an entire family, you have the option to be specific about who is invited or keep it general. If you want to be specific, write the names of each family member, starting with the parents, and list the invited children in order of age. For example:

> The Simpson Family

> Mr. and Mrs. Homer Simpson

> Mr. Bart Simpson

> Miss Lisa Simpson

If you prefer to keep it general, simply use the family name or the names of the parents on the outer envelope:

> The Simpson Family

> or

> Mr. & Mrs. Homer Simpson

Then, on the inner envelope, list the first names of all invited family members:

> Mr. and Mrs. Simpson

> Bart, Lisa, and Maggie

Additional Tips

• If you are allowing a guest to bring their own guest, indicate this by adding 'and guest' after their name.
• Avoid using nicknames or abbreviations.
• Be mindful of the titles or prefixes you use, taking into account the age, marital status, and preferences of your guests.
• If you are having a casual wedding, you may opt for a less formal approach, such as leaving out titles or using only first names.

Remember, these guidelines will help ensure your guests understand your intentions, but it's always a good idea to communicate directly with your guests if there is any uncertainty.

Write the full address, including the zip code and state abbreviation

When addressing your wedding save-the-date envelopes, it's important to write the full address, including the zip code and state abbreviation. This helps ensure your invitations reach their intended recipients without any hiccups. Here are some tips to help you get it right:

Write Out the Full Address

Spell out the full address, including the street name, city, state, and zip code. Avoid abbreviating words like "Street" or "Avenue". Doing so helps prevent any confusion and ensures your invitations reach the correct destination.

Use Proper Postal Abbreviations for the State

While you should write out the full street and city names, you can use the standard postal abbreviations for the state. For example, "CA" for California or "NY" for New York. This saves space and maintains clarity.

Include the Zip Code

Providing the zip code is crucial. It helps speed up the delivery process and ensures your invitation reaches the right location, especially if there are multiple streets with the same name in different areas.

Check the Address Format for International Guests

If you're sending save-the-dates to international guests, take the time to research the proper address format for their country. Address formats can vary, and using the correct format will help ensure timely delivery.

Double-Check for Accuracy

Before sealing the envelopes, take the time to double-check each address for accuracy. Verify that the street name, city, state, and zip code are all correct. This simple step can save you from having to resend invitations due to incorrect addresses.

Example Address

Here's an example of how a complete address should look on your save-the-date envelope:

Ms. Angelica Bender

453 Goddard Terrace

San Diego, CA 14001

Remember, taking the time to write out the full address accurately is well worth the effort. It ensures your invitations reach the right people and helps your guests feel valued and included in your special day.

Include a return address on the front left corner or back of the envelope

Including a return address on your save-the-date envelopes is a great idea. This helps to prevent stray invitations from getting lost in the post. It also gives your guests a sneak peek at who the correspondence is from, adding to the excitement.

There are a few options for where to place your return address on the envelope. The first option is to write it on the front left corner of the envelope. This is a standard and easily recognisable place for the return address. It is also convenient for the post office to see, which is the most important function of the return address.

The second option is to add the return address to the back flap of the envelope. This is a less common option, but it can be a good choice if you want to keep the front of the envelope looking neat and tidy. It is also a good option if you are using double envelopes (inner and outer) for your invitations, as you can put the return address on the back flap of the outer envelope and leave the inner envelope without a return address.

You can also choose whether or not to include names in your return address. Formally, only the physical address is listed, with no names. However, it is becoming more common to include names, especially on the response envelope, as the post office will deliver this back to you. If you are using names, you can use your first names, last names, or a combination of both. You can also get creative and use something like "The Future [last name]".

Finally, you can choose to handwrite the return address or use a printed address, a mailing label, or a return address stamp. The choice is yours!

Frequently asked questions