Addressing Wedding Invites: How To Include The Whole Family

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations, there are a few different scenarios to consider, one of which is how to address invitations to families. Traditionally, the inner and outer envelopes follow different etiquette rules. The outer envelope is formal and includes the recipient's full name and title. The inner envelope is more informal and may include the recipient's first name only. When addressing a family, the outer envelope is reserved for the parent's or guardian's names, while each child is listed by name on the inner envelope. Girls under 18 can be addressed as Miss and boys don't need a title until they're 16. If you don't want to be specific about which family members are invited, you can simply address the envelope to the family name or the family of.... However, if you want to be clear about who is invited, it's best to list each family member's name separately.

Outer envelope: Address to the family

When addressing a wedding invitation to a family, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it's important to decide whether you want to be specific about whom in the family is invited. If you want to invite the entire family, you can simply address the envelope to "The [Family Name] Family". This is a good option if you want to keep things general and avoid confusion.

However, if you want to specify which family members are invited, it is best to list their names individually. Start with the parent or parents' names, followed by the names of the children in order of age. For girls under 18, you can use "Miss" as a title, while boys don't need a title until they are 16, after which they can be addressed as "Mr.".

> The Smith Family

>

> Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

>

> Jane Smith

> Miss Emily Smith

> Michael Smith

If the family has only one child, you can address the outer envelope as follows:

> The Smith Family

>

> Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

>

> Miss Emily Smith

Alternatively, if the children are 18 or older, they should each receive their own invitation, unless they live at home with their parents. In this case, you can follow the same format as for families with younger children.

Inner envelope: List all family members

When addressing a wedding invitation to a family, the general rule is to list the names of all family members on the inner envelope. This includes the parents or guardians, as well as any children who are invited. Here are some guidelines and examples to help you with this task:

• Outer Envelope: On the outer envelope, you can simply write "The [Family Name] Family". For example, "The Smith Family". This indicates that the entire family is invited. If you prefer, you can also list the names of the parents or guardians on the outer envelope, such as "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham". This leaves room for a longer list of family members on the inner envelope.
• Inner Envelope: On the inner envelope, list the names of all invited family members, including the parents or guardians. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Abraham, Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany, and Mx. Kelly". Here are some additional tips for addressing family members:
• Children's Names: When including children's names, you can use “Miss” for girls under 18, and boys don't need a title until they're 16, then they can be addressed as “Mr.”. For example, "Miss Brittany and Mx. Kelly".
• Order of Names: You can list the names of the family members in birth order, with the oldest child listed first. Alternatively, you may choose to list the parents' names first, followed by the children's names.
• Multiple Families: If you are inviting multiple families with different last names, it is best to send separate invitations to each family. This avoids any confusion and ensures that each family has a clear understanding of who is invited.

Remember, the inner envelope is more informal, so you have some flexibility in how you list the names. The key is to ensure that all invited family members are clearly indicated, so there is no confusion about who is included in the invitation.

Etiquette for young children

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations to families with young children, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to decide whether you want to be specific about which family members are invited. If you want to invite the whole family, you can address the outer envelope to "The [Last Name] Family". If you only want to invite the parents and their young children, you can address the outer envelope to the parents, for example, "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham".

It is important to note that if you don't include each child's name, it might be assumed that children are not invited. However, it is still possible that some guests might bring their children, so it is recommended to have your family and wedding party help spread the word that the wedding is adults-only. You can also include this information on your wedding website.

When specifying which family members are invited, it is customary to list the parent(s) or guardian(s) on the outer envelope and then list each child by name on the inner envelope. For girls under 18, you can use "Miss" as a title, while boys don't need a title until they are 16, at which point they can be addressed as "Mr.".

Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham"

Inner envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham, Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany, and Mx. Kelly"

Inviting adult children

When it comes to inviting adult children to your wedding, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to send a separate invitation to each adult, even if they live with their parents. This is because adults are considered their own social unit and should receive their own invitation. Here is an example of how to format the invitations:

Outer envelope: "Mr. Alan Thompson and Mrs. Emily Thompson"

Inner envelope: "Alan, Emily, Miss Jennifer, and Miss Lily"

In this example, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are the parents, and Jennifer and Lily are their adult daughters. The outer envelope is addressed to the parents, while the inner envelope lists the first names of all invited family members, with "Miss" used as the title for female children under the age of 18.

If you are inviting adult children who have partners, it is important to include their partners' names on the invitation. For example:

Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith"

Inner envelope: "Robert and Linda, Mr. John Smith and Mrs. Emily Smith"

In this case, Robert and Linda Smith are the parents, and their adult son, John, is invited with his wife, Emily. The outer envelope is addressed to the parents, while the inner envelope lists the names of the adult children and their partners.

If you are inviting adult children who are unmarried without partners, you can simply address the invitation to them individually, using "Mr." for male guests over the age of 18 and "Ms." for female guests over the age of 18. For example:

Outer envelope: "Ms. Stephanie Chen"

Inner envelope: "Stephanie"

If you are on a budget and cannot afford to invite all adult children with their partners, it is acceptable to offer a plus-one only to those who are in a serious relationship. However, be mindful that this may cause offence to some guests, and it is generally considered more polite to invite significant others by name.

Online RSVPs

Tips for Using Online RSVPs

• Create a Wedding Website: Having a wedding website is a great way to keep all the information about your wedding in one place. You can include details such as your love story, photos, wedding party bios, wedding registry, dress code, and accommodation options. This will make it easier for your guests to find all the information they need.
• Provide Multiple RSVP Options: While online RSVPs are convenient and cost-effective, it's important to consider that some of your guests, especially older loved ones, may not be comfortable using a website to RSVP. In this case, it's a good idea to offer multiple RSVP options, such as paper response cards or a phone number they can call or text.
• Customizable Questions: One of the advantages of online RSVPs is the ability to customize questions for your guests. You can ask about meal preferences, song requests, travel plans, and any other details you need to know. This will help you plan your wedding more efficiently.
• Group Guests for Easy RSVP'ing: You can organize your guests into groups, such as families or couples, to make the RSVP process simpler. This way, any member of the group can respond on behalf of the entire party.
• Manage Plus Ones: With online RSVPs, you have control over who can bring a plus one. You can collect information from guests bringing a plus one, such as their names, and even allow them to enter their plus one's name when RSVPing, making it easier to prepare place cards.
• Email Communications: Create customized emails to keep your guests informed about important information, changes, or updates related to your wedding. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Instructions for Online RSVPs

• Choose a Platform: Select a wedding website platform or RSVP service that suits your needs. Some popular options include The Knot, Joy, and RSVPify. These platforms offer customizable websites, RSVP tracking, and guest list management tools.
• Create Your Website: Choose a template that matches your wedding style and add all the relevant details about your wedding. Include the URL of your wedding website on your paper invitations or create a QR code that links to your online RSVP.
• Set Up Your Guest List: Upload your guest list to the platform to easily manage who's invited and track responses. You can also use tags to organize your guests and create targeted email audiences.
• Customize Your RSVP Form: Add any custom questions you want to ask your guests, such as meal preferences or travel plans. You can also set up follow-up questions based on their initial responses.
• Set an RSVP Deadline: Give your guests a deadline for responding, usually about two to four weeks before your wedding. This will help you confirm the final guest count with your caterer and venue on time.
• Receive and Manage Responses: As your guests submit their RSVPs, you'll receive notifications and your guest list will be automatically updated. You can also allow guests to change their responses if their plans change before the deadline.

Frequently asked questions