Gathering Guest Addresses: Wedding Invite Preparation

Wedding planning can be a daunting task, and one of the most important aspects is ensuring that your wedding invitations are properly addressed and sent out on time. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process of gathering addresses for your wedding invites, so they reach your guests without a hitch.

How to address a wedding invitation to a single person

When addressing a wedding invitation to a single person, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use the person's preferred title. If you are unsure, it is best to forgo the title altogether and use their full name.

For a single woman, the traditional approach is to use "Miss" if she is under 18 and "Ms." if she is 18 or older. However, these rules are old-fashioned, and you can choose to address her by her first and last name or simply "Ms." regardless of her age. For a single man, use "Mr." if he is over 18; otherwise, no title is necessary.

If the single person has a plus-one, you can include their name on the inner envelope. For example, if the guest is a single woman with a plus-one, the outer envelope can be addressed to "Ms. Stephanie Chen," and the inner envelope can be addressed to "Ms. Chen and guest" or "Stephanie and guest."

Outer envelope: "Ms. Elizabeth Lemon" or "Miss Donna-Jo Tanner" (if under 18)

Inner envelope: "Ms. Lemon" or "Elizabeth"

Outer envelope: "Mr. George Constanza"

Inner envelope: "Mr. Constanza" or "George"

If the guest is non-binary, you can use the honorific "Mx." For example:

Outer envelope: "Mx. Courtney Andrews"

Inner envelope: "Mx. Andrews" or "Courtney"

If the guest is a widow, it is best to inquire about their preferred title. They may prefer to be addressed using their married name, their late husband's name, or "Ms." For example:

Outer envelope: "Mrs. George Devereaux" or "Mrs. Blanche Devereaux"

Inner envelope: "Mrs. Devereaux"

If the guest is divorced, you can address them using "Ms." or "Mrs." and either their ex-husband's last name (if they still use it) or their maiden name, depending on their preference. For instance:

Outer envelope: "Mrs./Ms. Cookie Lyon" or "Mrs./Ms. Cookie Holloway"

Inner envelope: "Mrs./Ms. Lyon" or "Mrs./Ms. Holloway"

If the single person has a distinguished title, such as a judge, priest, or military officer, use the appropriate title before their full name. For example:

Outer envelope: "The Honorable Sonia Sotomayor" (for a judge)

Inner envelope: "Judge Sotomayor"

Outer envelope: "Father Damien Karras" (for a priest)

Inner envelope: "Father Karras"

How to address a wedding invitation to a married couple

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to use the couple's full names, avoiding any nicknames or abbreviations. If the couple has the same last name, you can use "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the husband's full name or write out each person's first name. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Johnson" or "Mr. Samuel and Mrs. Eliza Johnson".

If the couple has different last names, write out each full name with "Mr." or "Mrs." The names can be listed in the order of your preference. For instance, "Mr. Frank Smith and Mrs. Grace Apple". If one partner has a hyphenated name, list the hyphenated name last. An example of this would be "Mr. Andy Dwyer and Ms. April Ludgate-Dwyer".

When addressing a married couple with the same last name, you may also choose to use both the husband's and wife's first and last names, addressing them equally. For example, "Mr. Robert Belcher and Mrs. Linda Belcher" or "Mr. Robert and Mrs. Linda Belcher".

It's also important to consider the couple's titles or prefixes. If one partner is a doctor, list them first, regardless of gender. For instance, "Doctor Michaela Quinn and Mr. Byron Sully". If both partners are doctors with the same last name, you can address them as "The Doctors Smith" or "Drs. Matthew and Angela Smith".

For outer envelopes, follow the above guidelines. For inner envelopes, you can be less formal and use titles and last names or first names only if you are very close to the couple. For example, for a couple with the same last name, the inner envelope could be addressed as "Mr. and Mrs. Belcher" or "Robert and Linda".

Remember to double-check the spelling of your guests' names and addresses before sending out the invitations.

How to address a wedding invitation to an unmarried couple

Wedding invitation envelopes should be addressed with care to ensure your guests feel welcome on your big day. Here is a guide on how to address a wedding invitation to an unmarried couple:

Outer Envelope

The outer envelope is the more formal of the two envelopes and contains the mailing address, postage, and return address. It is best to use full names and avoid nicknames or abbreviations. Traditionally, the outer envelope is addressed with titles and full names. For unmarried couples, both names are included on one line, with a conjunction ("and") between them. List the person you are closest with first. If you are equally close to both, go in alphabetical order.

Example:

> Ms. Rachel Green and Mr. Ross Geller

If the names are too long and do not fit on one line, you can list their names on separate lines:

> Mr. Ross Geller

> Ms. Rachel Green

Inner Envelope

The inner envelope is more informal and contains the invitation, RSVP card, and any other enclosures. It is printed with only the recipients' names. You have the option to use titles and last names or just first names, depending on how casual you want to be.

Example:

> Ms. Green and Mr. Geller

> Rachel and Ross

General Tips

• Give yourself enough time to assemble and send out the invitations.
• Double-check the spelling of your guests' names and their addresses.
• Be mindful of your guests' pronouns and preferred titles.
• If you are inviting children, be clear about whether they are included on the invitation or not.

How to address a wedding invitation to a family

When addressing a wedding invitation to a family, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, decide whether you want to be specific about which family members are invited. If you want to invite the whole family, use the family name or the names of the parents on the outer envelope. You can then list the first names of all invited family members on the inner envelope.

If you want to specify which family members are invited, write the names of each family member, starting with the parent or parents' names, and list the invited children's names in order of age below. Address female children under the age of 18 as "Miss".

Outer envelope: "The Simpson Family" or "Mr. & Mrs. Homer Simpson"

Inner envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Simpson", "Homer, Marge, Bart, Miss Lisa, and Miss Maggie"

If you are using double envelopes, remember to keep the outer envelope more formal. The inner envelope is where you can address the invitees more personally. Include as much information as possible on the outer envelope, including full honorifics and even middle names. Children's names will usually go on the inner envelope, unless they are not invited.

When addressing a married couple, put their names on the same line. If they have different last names, list the person you are closest to first, or go in alphabetical order. For unmarried couples living together, both names should be included on separate lines, with the person you are closest to listed first.

For single individuals, use "Ms." for women over 18, and "Miss" for girls under 18. For men, use "Mr." for those over 18; otherwise, no title is necessary.

Remember to use full names and avoid abbreviations on the outer envelope. For the inner envelope, you can be more casual and use first names only if you prefer.

How to address a wedding invitation to a single male or female

When addressing a wedding invitation to a single female, use “Ms.” if she is over 18. If she is younger, “Miss” is more acceptable, and should be spelled out rather than abbreviated.

Outer envelope: "Ms. Stephanie Chen" or "Miss Stephanie Chen" (if she is younger than 18)

Inner envelope: "Ms. Chen" or "Miss Chen" or "Stephanie"

If a single female has been given a plus-one, there is no need to indicate this on the outer envelope. Instead, reserve "and guest" for the inner envelope only.

Outer envelope: "Ms. Stephanie Chen"

Inner envelope: "Ms. Chen and guest" or "Stephanie and guest"

When addressing a wedding invitation to a single male, use “Mr.” if he is over 18. If he is younger, no title is necessary.

Outer envelope: "Mr. James Montgomery"

Inner envelope: "Mr. Montgomery" or "James"

If a single male has been offered a plus-one, don't indicate this on the outer envelope. As with female guests, reserve "and guest" for the inner envelope only.

Outer envelope: "Mr. James Montgomery"

Inner envelope: "Mr. Montgomery and guest" or "James and guest"

Frequently asked questions