Guide To Labeling Wedding Invites For Families With Young Children

When it comes to addressing wedding invites, there are a few different scenarios to consider. If you're inviting a family with young children, the traditional way to word the invitation is to list the children's names on the inner envelope but not the outer one. The outer envelope is reserved for the names of the parents or guardians. It is important to list each child by name on the inner envelope to make them feel included. If you don't include their names, it could be interpreted as children not being invited. In terms of titles, girls under 18 can be addressed as Miss, while boys don't need a title until they're 16, after which they can be addressed as Mr..

Children under 18: listed on the inner envelope only

When sending out wedding invitations, it's important to get the wording right to ensure your guests feel welcome and to avoid any confusion. Here are some detailed instructions for addressing invites to families with children under 18, following traditional wedding invitation etiquette:

Outer Envelope:

The outer envelope is the more formal of the two envelopes and is where you list the names of the parents or guardians. For a heterosexual couple, the traditional format is "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the man's full name. For same-sex couples, you can list either name first or both names with the last name hyphenated.

Example:

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham

Inner Envelope:

The inner envelope is more informal, and this is where you list the names of children under 18. Boys under 16 do not need a title, while girls under 18 are addressed as "Miss". It is considered good form to list the children's names in order of age.

Example:

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham, Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany, and Mx. Kelly

Additional Tips:

• If you are inviting children over the age of 18, they should receive their own invitation, even if they still live at home.
• If you don't include the names of children under 18 on the inner envelope, it could be interpreted as an adults-only event. However, it's still a good idea to spread the word through your family and wedding party and add a message to your wedding website to avoid any misunderstandings.
• When addressing female children under 18, "Miss" is the traditional title, but you can also use "Ms." if you prefer.
• If you are using only one envelope, list all invited family members' names, including children, on the front.

Girls under 18: addressed as 'Miss'

When addressing wedding invitations to families with young children, it's important to follow certain guidelines to ensure clarity and avoid any confusion. Here are some detailed instructions for addressing girls under 18 as "Miss" on the invitations:

Outer Envelope:

The outer envelope is typically reserved for the names of the parent(s) or guardian(s). For a traditional and formal approach, use titles such as "Mr." and "Mrs." followed by the family name. For example:

> Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

If you prefer a more modern approach, you can simply use their first and last names, without titles:

> John and Jane Smith

Inner Envelope:

On the inner envelope, you should list each child's name, including girls under 18 addressed as "Miss." For example:

> Mr. and Mrs. Smith

> Peter, Paul, Miss Mary and Master Joseph

Alternatively, you can use first names only for a more casual vibe:

> John and Jane

> Peter, Paul, Miss Mary and Master Joseph

Other Considerations:

It's important to note that if you don't include the names of children on the inner envelope, it may be interpreted as an indication that children are not invited. However, some guests may still assume their children are welcome. To avoid any misunderstandings, it's recommended to spread the word through your immediate family and wedding party that the wedding will be adults-only. You can also add this information to your wedding website.

Additionally, if any of the children in the family are 18 or older, they should receive their own separate invitations, even if they live at home with their parents.

Boys under 18: no title required

When addressing wedding invitations to families with young children, it's important to follow certain etiquette guidelines to ensure clarity and avoid any confusion. Here are some detailed instructions specifically for addressing boys under 18, for whom no title is required:

Outer Envelope Etiquette:

The outer envelope of a wedding invitation is typically reserved for the names of the parents or guardians. In this case, since you are addressing a family with young boys under the age of 18, you would write only the names of the parents or guardians on the outer envelope. Here's an example:

"Mr. and Mrs. John Smith"

Or

"Mr. John Smith and Mrs. Mary Smith"

Inner Envelope Etiquette:

The inner envelope is where you would list the names of the children in the family. For boys under 18, no title is required. You can simply write their first names or include their full names without any titles. Here's an example:

"John, Jr., Michael, and Joseph"

Or

"Johnny, Mikey, and Joe"

Additional Tips:

• It is recommended to list the children's names in order of age, with the oldest first.
• If you are inviting a large family with many children, you can use "and family" instead of listing each child's name. However, this may be interpreted as a wider invitation, so it's best to be specific if you want to avoid misunderstandings.
• If the boy is over 16, he can be addressed as "Mr." on the inner envelope.

Sample Invitation:

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

Inner envelope: "John, Michael, Joseph, and Miss Emily Smith"

Remember to be consistent with the format you choose and always double-check the spelling of names and addresses.

Adults: separate invites

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to consider the age of the children in the family you're inviting. If the children are over 18, they should receive their own separate invitations. This is a good option if you want to be clear about who is invited to your wedding.

Outer envelope (for parents or guardians):

• Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham
• The Thompson Family
• Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson
• Mr. Alan Thompson and Mrs. Emily Thompson

Outer envelope (for adult children):

• Ms. Audrey Abraham
• Mr. Thomas Warren
• Mrs. Michelle Warren
• Ms. Maria Stevens
• Mr. David Estevez

Inner envelope (for parents or guardians):

• Mr. and Mrs. Abraham
• Mr. and Mrs. Thompson
• Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson
• Alan and Emily

Inner envelope (for adult children):

• Ms. Abraham
• Mr. and Mrs. Warren
• Mr. Warren and Mrs. Warren
• Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez
• Maria and David

If you choose to send separate invitations to adult children, be sure to include the parents' or guardians' names on their invitations as well, to make it clear that they are part of the family group.

Remember to use the appropriate titles for each person, such as "Mr." "Mrs." "Ms." or "Miss" and to spell out their full names, including middle names if you know them.

Whole family invited: use 'The [surname] Family'

When inviting a family with young children to a wedding, it is customary to list the children's names on the inner envelope but not the outer one. The outer envelope should be reserved for the names of the parents or guardians. The inner envelope is more informal, so you can include the first names of all invited family members.

If you want to invite the whole family, a good way to address the wedding invitation is to use "The [surname] Family". This can be used on both the outer and inner envelopes. For example, "The Smith Family" can be written on the outer envelope, and "Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Jane, and John" can be written on the inner envelope.

Using "The [surname] Family" is a convenient way to invite the whole family without having to list each individual member. It is also a good option if you are unsure of the children's names or ages. However, it is important to note that this may be interpreted as an open invitation, so it is a good idea to specify the number of seats reserved for the family on the inner envelope or RSVP card.

When addressing wedding invitations, it is essential to use the correct titles and avoid abbreviations or nicknames. For formal invitations, use "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Miss", or "Ms." accordingly. For informal invitations, you may use first names only.

Frequently asked questions