Wedding Invitation Etiquette: Addressing Apartments

When addressing wedding invitations, it is important to consider the formality of the event and your personal style. While there are certain conventions to follow, there are no serious repercussions for breaking with tradition. That being said, the general rule for addressing an apartment on a wedding invitation is to spell out the word apartment and include it on the same line as the street address. For example:

Mr. and Mrs. John Doe

213 South Maple Street, Apartment 3

Chino, California 91710

If you are addressing an envelope to a building with an apartment number, you may need to use two lines for the street address. An example of this would be:

Mr. and Mrs. John Doe

213 South Maple Street, Building 4, Apartment 12

Chino, California 91710

It is also worth noting that you should avoid exceeding five lines when addressing envelopes and that abbreviations should be avoided, except for titles such as Mr., Mrs., and Miss.

Spell out apartment in full

When writing the address on a wedding invitation, it is best to spell out all words in the address, including "apartment". This means that instead of using "St.", "P.O. Box", and "Apt.", you should use "Street", "Post Office Box", and "Apartment". This rule also applies to city and state names; instead of using abbreviations, write out the full name of the city and state. For example, instead of writing "St. Paul, MN", write "Saint Paul, Minnesota".

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

555 Main Street

Apartment 438

Chicago, Illinois 60601

In this example, the apartment number is written out in full, followed by the city and state names spelled out in full as well. Note that the house number "555" is also written out in full, as house numbers smaller than twenty should be spelled out.

It is also important to use the correct titles and full names of the guests on the outer envelope of the invitation. For example, for a married couple, use "Mr." and "Mrs." followed by the full names of the couple. If the couple has the same last name, you can use "Mr. and Mrs. [Husband's Full Name]". If the couple has different last names, you can list the names separately, with each name preceded by the appropriate title. For example: "Mr. John Smith and Mrs. Grace Apple".

Additionally, if any of your guests have distinguished titles, such as doctors, lawyers, judges, or military personnel, it is proper etiquette to address them by those titles on the invitation envelope. For example, for a doctor, you would use "Dr." followed by their full name.

Remember that the inner envelope of the invitation is more informal, so you have the option to leave out some elements of the formal name format used on the outer envelope. You can include only the last names or only the first names on the inner envelope, depending on the level of formality you prefer.

Put the apartment number on the same line as the street address

When writing the address on a wedding invitation, it is best to put the apartment number on the same line as the street address. This is because, if the apartment number is written on a separate line, it will take longer for the postal service to process the letter.

"123 Main Street, Apartment 1, Anytown, New York, 00000"

Note that all words in the address should be written out in full. For example, use "Street" instead of the abbreviation "St." Similarly, use "Apartment" instead of "Apt." This rule also applies to city and state names. For instance, write out "Washington, District of Columbia" instead of "Washington, D.C." House numbers that are smaller than twenty should also be written out in full.

It is also important to use the correct titles for your guests, such as "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Miss", "Ms.", and "Doctor". When addressing a married couple, classic envelopes incorporate the titles "Mr." and "Mrs." followed by the husband's first and last name. However, some couples may prefer to include the first names of both the husband and wife after their titles. If the wife has kept her maiden name, her name should appear first, followed by her husband's name, with the two names joined by the word "and".

Use a comma to separate the apartment and street name

When addressing a wedding invitation to someone who lives in an apartment, it is important to follow certain etiquette rules to ensure your guests feel welcome and respected. Here are some detailed instructions on how to use a comma to separate the apartment and street name:

Firstly, it is recommended to always write out the full address, including spelling out all words such as "Street", "Apartment", and the city and state names. For example, instead of using "St.", use "Street", and instead of "Apt.", use "Apartment". This adds a touch of formality and elegance to your invitation.

When including the apartment number, it is preferable to write it on the same line as the street address, separated by a comma. This ensures clarity and also helps the postal service process the invitation faster. For instance, write "123 Main Street, Apartment 1" instead of "123 Main Street Apt. 1". The comma provides a clear distinction between the street name and the apartment number, making it easier for your guests and the postal service to understand.

If you are addressing an envelope to someone in an apartment building, you may need to use two lines for the street address. In this case, the apartment number and building number would be written on separate lines. An example would be:

"Mr. and Mrs. John Doe

213 South Maple Street, Apartment 3

Building 4

Chino, California 91710"

By using a comma to separate the apartment and street name, you provide a clear and elegant presentation of the address. This attention to detail reflects the care and thought you have put into your wedding invitations.

While it is important to follow these guidelines, remember that there are no serious repercussions if you choose to adjust the format to suit your personal style and the formality of your wedding.

Write out all words in the address, except titles

When writing out the address on a wedding invitation, it is best practice to spell out all words in the address, except for titles such as Mr., Mrs., Miss, Dr., etc. This means that instead of using "St.", "P.O. Box", and "Apt.", you would spell out "Street", "Post Office Box", and "Apartment".

For example, an address such as "123 Main St., Apt. 1, Anytown, NY, 00000" would be written out as "123 Main Street, Apartment 1, Anytown, New York, 00000".

House numbers should also be spelled out if they are smaller than twenty. For example, "67 Sixty-Seventh Street, Apartment 3, Anytown, NY, 00000" would be written as "Sixty-Seventh Street, Apartment 3, Anytown, New York, 00000".

It is also important to write out the full state name, rather than using the two-letter abbreviation. For instance, "Washington, DC" would be written as "Washington, District of Columbia".

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your wedding invitations are properly formatted and easy for the postal service to process.

Put the apartment and building on separate lines

When addressing a wedding invitation to a couple living in an apartment, it is important to follow the correct etiquette to ensure your guests feel welcome and respected. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to put the apartment and building on separate lines:

• First Line: Names of the Guests: Start with the first line, which should include the formal first names and titles of the guests. For a married couple, use "Mr." and "Mrs." or "The Honourable" if applicable, followed by their full names. For unmarried couples, write each name on a separate line without using the word "and".
• Second Line: Street Address: The second line is for the street address. Write out the full street number and name, spelling out all words and avoiding abbreviations. For example, write "South Maple Street" instead of "S. Maple St.".
• Third Line: Building Number: The building number should be written on the third line. Again, ensure you spell out all words and avoid abbreviations.
• Fourth Line: Apartment Number: On the fourth line, write the apartment number, followed by the word "Apartment" or "Unit". This line should be written in full, without abbreviations such as "Apt.".
• Fifth Line: City, State, and Postal Code: Finally, include the city, state, and postal code on the last line. Write out the full name of the state instead of using its two-letter abbreviation.

Mr. and Mrs. John Doe

213 South Maple Street

Building 4

Apartment 12

Chino, California 91710

Remember to use neat handwriting or consider hiring a professional calligrapher. While it is important to follow the general guidelines for formal wedding invitations, feel free to adjust the format to suit your personal style and the tone of your wedding.

Frequently asked questions