Addressing Wedding Save-The-Dates To Families: A Guide

When it comes to addressing wedding save the dates to families, there are a few options. You can include the family members' names, names with prefixes, or simply write the family's last name. For example, you could write:

> Mr. Rob Marquis, Mrs. Erin Marquis, Mr. John Marquis, and Miss Rosa Marquis

Or:

> Rob, Erin, John and Rosa Marquis

Alternatively, you could write:

> The Marquis Family

If you want to use titles, girls under 18 are usually addressed as Miss, while boys under 18 don't need a title.

Whether to use titles or not

Whether or not to use titles on your wedding save-the-dates is entirely up to you. Save-the-dates are less formal than wedding invitations, so you don't need to worry about strict rules and etiquette. However, if you do choose to use titles, it's important to be consistent for all adult guests, and to use the correct titles for children.

If you're addressing a single female, the standard title is “Miss" if she is under 18 and "Ms." if she is over 18. For single males, the title "Mr." is typically used if he is over 18, but can be omitted if he is under 18.

When addressing married couples, you can use the titles "Mr." and "Mrs." or simply use their first and last names. If the couple has different last names, be sure to include both names on the envelope. You can also include any distinguished titles they may have, such as "Dr." or "Rev.". Traditionally, the man's name is listed first, but you can also list the person you are closest to first or go in alphabetical order, especially for same-sex couples.

For unmarried couples, each name should be written on a separate line, with the person you are closest to or the person whose name comes first alphabetically listed first. Again, you can include any relevant distinguished titles.

When addressing families, you can include the family name followed by "family", or list out each individual's name. For families with young children, it is recommended to list the children's names to make it clear that they are also invited. Boys under 18 do not need a title, while girls under 18 can be addressed as "Miss".

Remember, save-the-dates are a great opportunity to let your personality shine through, so feel free to add your own creative touch to the addressing format you choose!

How to address families with young children

Save-the-dates are usually sent out six to nine months before the wedding, or even earlier for destination weddings. They are often more casual than wedding invitations, so you don't need to worry about strict rules and etiquette. The main concern is being clear about who is invited and correctly spelling their names.

When addressing families with young children, you can include all the family members' names, names with prefixes, or simply write the family's last name. Boys under 18 don't usually have the "Mr." title, whereas girls under 18 are typically addressed as "Miss". However, you can choose to do whatever you please.

• Mr. Rob Marquis, Mrs. Erin Marquis, Mr. John Marquis (son), and Miss Rosa Marquis (daughter)
• Rob, Erin, John, and Rosa Marquis
• The Marquis Family

If you are inviting families with children over 18 who are still living at home, it is generally acceptable to send one save-the-date per household. However, when sending the formal invitation, it is more appropriate to send separate invites to each adult.

How to address families with adult children

When addressing families with adult children on your save-the-date envelopes, you have a few options. You can address the envelope to the whole family or list each family member's name. Here are some examples:

Addressing the Whole Family

If you choose to address the envelope to the whole family, you can simply write the family's last name, followed by "family". For example:

> The Wilkinson Family

Alternatively, you can use "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the family's last name, like this:

> Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson and Family

Listing Individual Family Members

If you prefer to list each family member's name, you can do so on one line or two lines. Here are some examples:

> George, Tina, Matthew, and Imogen Wilkinson

> Mr. George, Mrs. Tina, Miss Imogen, and Matthew Wilkinson

If the adult children have different last names, be sure to include both their first and last names. For example:

> Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson, Imogen Smith, and Matthew Wilkinson

Remember, it is optional to include titles (Mr., Mrs., Miss, Dr., Rev., etc.) on save-the-date envelopes, so you can leave them out if you prefer a more casual approach. However, if you do use titles, be consistent throughout your save-the-dates and wedding invitations.

How to address families with children of different ages

When addressing families with children of different ages, it is important to be clear about who is invited. This is especially helpful for parents, who need to know whether to arrange childcare or if their children are welcome to attend.

If you are inviting the whole family, you can address the save-the-date card to the family as a whole. For example, you can write:

• The Wilkinson Family
• "Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson and Family"

Alternatively, you can list each family member's name. This is a good option if you want to make it clear that children are invited, but be sure to remember the correct spellings of everyone's names. You can write the children's names on the line underneath the parents' names, as it can be hard to fit many names on one line. For example:

• George, Tina, Matthew, and Imogen Wilkinson
• "Mr. George, Mrs. Tina, Miss Imogen, and Matthew Wilkinson"

If you are inviting children who are 18 or older, they should receive their own invitations. You can use titles or just their names. Be sure to use the correct identifiers. For example:

Ms. Audrey Abraham

For children under 18, the outer envelope is usually reserved for the name(s) of the parent(s) or guardian(s). You can list each child's name on the inner envelope. Girls under 18 can be addressed as "Miss", while boys don't need a title until they are 16, when they can be addressed as "Mr.". For example:

• "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham" (outer envelope)
• "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham, Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany, and Mx. Kelly" (inner envelope)

How to address families with the same last name

When addressing families with the same last name, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, you can list the names of all family members individually, including titles if desired. For example:

> Mr. Rob Marquis, Mrs. Erin Marquis, Miss Rosa Marquis, and Mr. John Marquis

Alternatively, you can opt for a simpler approach by addressing the family as a whole. This can be done by referring to them as "The [Last Name] Family", such as:

> The Smith Family

If you prefer a more personalised touch, you may choose to address them as:

> Mr. and Mrs. [Last Name] and Family

When addressing families, it is essential to consider the family's dynamics and preferences. For instance, if the family has children with different last names, it is respectful to include both last names. Here's an example:

> The Smith-Doe Family

Additionally, if the family includes a married couple with different last names, it is customary to include both names. Here's how you can address them:

> Mr. John Smith and Mrs. Jane Doe

Remember, the level of formality is up to you. These guidelines provide a framework, but you can always add your personal touch to make your save-the-date cards unique and reflective of your wedding style.

Frequently asked questions