Including The Kids: Addressing Wedding Save-The-Dates For Families

Planning a wedding can be a hectic process, but sending out save-the-dates is a fun and practical way to tell your friends and family that they're on the guest list. Save-the-dates are typically sent out around six to twelve months before the wedding, giving guests ample time to prepare, especially if they need to travel. When addressing save-the-dates, it's essential to be clear about who is invited, and this includes specifying the names of any children who are invited from a family. While it's customary to use full names, you don't have to include titles (Mr., Mrs., Miss, Dr., etc.) unless you want to. If you do use titles, boys under 18 don't usually have a title, whereas girls under 18 are often addressed as Miss. It's also a good idea to specify if a guest is invited with a plus one by adding and Guest to the address.

Including children's names on the line underneath their parents' names

When it comes to addressing wedding save-the-dates to families with children, there are a few options. One way is to list the parents' names on the first line and then include the children's names on the line underneath. This can be a practical option, as it can be hard to fit many names on a single line.

For example:

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

Jack and Jill Smith

If you want to include titles, girls under 18 are usually addressed as "Miss", while boys under 18 typically don't have a title. Here is an example of how this could look:

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

Miss Jill Smith

Alternatively, you could address the family as a whole, either by listing the family name or using the phrase "The Smith Family". However, if you choose this option, be aware that some guests may assume their children are not invited if you don't include each child's name.

The Smith Family

Addressing families with children using titles and full names

When addressing families with children using titles and full names, there are a few different options to choose from. Here are some examples:

• Including all family members' names, with titles: "Mr. Rob Marquis, Mrs. Erin Marquis, Miss Rosa Marquis, and Roger Marquis"
• Including all family members' names, without titles: "Rob Marquis, Erin Marquis, Rosa Marquis, and Roger Marquis"
• Including the family name, with titles: "Mr. and Mrs. Marquis and Family"
• Including the family name, without titles: "The Marquis Family"

When using titles, girls under 18 should be addressed as "Miss", while boys under 18 do not typically need a title. However, it is ultimately up to personal preference, and boys under 18 can be given a title if desired.

It is also important to be clear about whether children are invited. If you are inviting the entire family, be sure to list each child's name. If children are not invited, only include the names of the parents or guardians.

Additionally, when addressing save-the-dates, it is optional to include titles such as "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Miss", "Dr.", or "Rev.". Save-the-dates are less formal than wedding invitations, so you can choose the level of formality that suits your style.

Addressing families with children in a more informal way

Save the dates are often the first wedding-related cards you send out. They are 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.

• You can address the whole family by writing their last name followed by "family", or list out each family member's name. For example, "The Wilkinson Family" or "George, Tina, Matthew, and Imogen Wilkinson".
• If you want to include titles, girls under 18 can be addressed as "Miss", and boys under 18 don't need a title. An example of this would be: "Mr. George, Mrs. Tina, Miss Imogen, and Matthew Wilkinson".
• If you want to be very informal, you can drop the titles altogether and just use the first names of the family members, for example: "George, Tina, Matthew, and Imogen".
• To make it clear that a couple can bring their children, you can list each child's name or simply put "and family" after the parents' names. For example: "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham and family".
• If you are inviting children who are 18 or older, they should each receive their own invitation unless they are living at home with their parents. You don't need to use titles for them, but you can if you wish.

Addressing families with children in a very informal way

Save the dates are often the first wedding-related cards you send out, so it's important to get them right! The good news is that they're usually more casual than wedding invitations, so you don't need to worry too much about strict rules and etiquette. The main concern is being clear about who is invited and making sure you spell their names correctly.

• You can address the whole family with a simple "The [Family Name]" or ""[First Names] and [Family Name]". For example, "The Smith Family" or "John, Susan, and Lily Smith".
• If you want to include titles, you can use "Miss" for girls under 18, while boys under 18 don't usually get a title. So, for a family with older children, you could write "Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Miss Susan, and Master John".
• If you want to be more creative or playful, you could try something like "The Awesome Smiths" or "Team Smith".
• If you're inviting a family with young children, it's a good idea to list the children's names to make it clear that they're also invited. You could write "Mr. and Mrs. Smith and their little ones, Susan and John".
• If you're only inviting the parents and not the children, make sure to only include the parents' names to avoid any confusion.
• Feel free to use nicknames or the names people prefer to go by, rather than their full legal names. For example, if their legal name is "Stephen", but everyone calls them "Steve", go with "Steve".
• If you're inviting a single parent with children, you can write something like "Susan and John Smith" or "Super Mom Susan and her little ones, John and Lily".
• For same-sex couples with children, you can follow the same guidelines as for heterosexual couples. List both parents' names, followed by the children's names, or simply use "The [Family Name]".

Using titles for children

When addressing wedding save-the-dates, you can choose whether or not to use titles for children. Boys under 18 do not usually have a title, while girls under 18 are typically addressed as "Miss". However, this is not a strict rule, and you can choose to do whatever you please.

If you are inviting a family with young children, you can list each child's name on the inner envelope. For girls under 18, you can use "Miss" if you wish. Boys do not need a title until they are 16, when they can be addressed as "Mr.".

If you are inviting a family with children who are 18 or older, each child should receive their own invitation if they do not live at home with their parents. You do not need to use titles for adult children, but you can if you wish. Just be sure that you are using the correct identifiers.

• Mr. Rob Marquis, Mrs. Erin Marquis, Miss Rosa Marquis, and Mr. John Marquis
• Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany, and Mx. Kelly

Not Using Titles for Children

• Rob Marquis, Erin Marquis, Rosa Marquis, and John Marquis
• Tony Garcia, Ana Garcia, Katie Garcia, and Peter Garcia

Frequently asked questions