Formal Wedding Invite Etiquette: Return Address Placement

Wedding invitations are a crucial aspect of wedding planning, and ensuring that they are addressed correctly is essential to making your guests feel welcome on your big day. The return address on wedding invites serves two purposes: it tells guests where to send their RSVPs and where to send gifts if they are unable to attend the wedding. In this article, we will discuss the proper way to include a return address on formal wedding invites, including the placement, format, and etiquette considerations. We will also explore different options for adding the return address, such as handwriting, printing, mailing labels, or using a return address stamp.

Return address stamps

There are a variety of stamp types available:

• Self-inking address stamps: These are great for rapid stamping when you have a lot of mail to send out. The ink pad is inside the stamp body.
• Pre-inked address stamps: These provide rich detail but are not ideal for fast repeated use as the dye needs time to replenish between stampings.
• Wooden hand stamps: The traditional wood hand stamp with no ink. Ink pads come in several colours.

You can order customised return address stamps online from various vendors. These stamps can be personalised with your name and address, and you can choose from a variety of fonts and ink colours. You can also order a custom stamp design service from some vendors, who will hand-calligraph your name and address in a matching style.

Return address placement

The return address tells guests where gifts and replies should be mailed. It is usually placed on the back flap of the invitation envelope and the front side of the response envelopes. If you are using double envelopes (inner and outer), the return address only needs to go on the outermost envelope.

Traditionally, the return address is handwritten, but it is now also acceptable to have it printed, use a mailing label, or a return address stamp.

The return address should be the address of the person or persons hosting the event. For example, if the bride's parents are hosting, the invitations should use their address.

The return address can include names or be just the address. Traditionally, only the physical address is listed, with no names. If you do include names, use the format:

> Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Johnson

> 12 Park Lane

> Mobile, Alabama 36695

If the couple is hosting, a formal option is to use their first names and last names:

> Ms. Kari Johnson

> Mr. Bradley Shaw

> 23848 Dunmore Loop

> Mobile, Alabama 36695

For a casual approach, you can use first names only:

> Kari and Bradley

> 23848 Dunmore Loop

> Mobile, Alabama 36695

If you are using the back of the envelope for your return address, be aware that there are stories of postal workers mistaking this for the guest address and returning the invites to the sender. To avoid this, a calligrapher can use different-sized text or a different design to ensure this doesn't happen.

Front of the Envelope

Placing the return address on the front of the envelope is the approach recommended by the United States Postal Service. The optimal placement is the upper left corner with the text 1/2 inch from the left edge and 6 inches from the bottom. This approach increases visibility for postal workers and reduces the risk of mail errors. It also leaves the back of the envelope as a clear canvas for calligraphy or artwork.

However, the front of the envelope may already contain the recipient's name and address, wedding date details, or other text, leaving less room for decorative fonts and illustrations. It may also not suit highly formal wedding themes.

Back of the Envelope

Placing the return address on the back of the envelope provides more freedom for design and artwork on the front. It also keeps the front uncluttered and easier to read at a glance.

However, this approach is not recommended by the USPS and increases the risk of the address being overlooked, leading to potential delivery delays or mail returns. It could also hinder automated sorting processes.

Return address etiquette

The return address on a wedding invitation tells guests where gifts and responses should be mailed. It is usually placed on the back flap of the invitation envelope and the front side of the response envelopes. If you are using double envelopes (inner and outer), the return address only needs to go on the outermost envelope.

Traditionally, the return address is handwritten, but it is now also acceptable to have it printed, use a mailing label, or a return address stamp. The return address should be that of the hosts of the wedding, usually the bride's parents, and formally, only the physical address is listed with no names. However, it is okay to include names if you wish, and if you are using the bride and groom's address, it is best to use their first names only, or first and last names, as they are not supposed to appear together in print before marriage.

If you are concerned about the visibility of your return address, it is worth noting that the United States Postal Service recommends placing the return address on the upper left corner of the front of the envelope, with the text 1/2 inch from the left edge and 6 inches from the bottom. This will increase visibility for postal workers and reduce the risk of mail errors.

Inner and outer envelopes

Wedding invitations traditionally used to be delivered by hand, with servants receiving the package and removing the invitation from the outer envelope before handing it to the recipient. While this is no longer common practice, many couples continue to use both an inner and outer envelope for formal invitations. The outer envelope is the larger of the two and contains the recipient's name, street address, return address, and postage. The inner envelope is smaller and contains less information, usually only the name of the person or people being invited.

The outer envelope is the mailing envelope that is addressed to the guest(s). The inner envelope is placed inside the outer envelope and indicates exactly who is invited to the wedding. For example, if the outer envelope is addressed to "Mr. and Mrs. David Wilson / The Wilson Family," the inner envelope might specify "Mr. and Mrs. Wilson / David and Sarah." If children in the family are also invited, their names would be listed on the second line of the inner envelope. If they are not invited, only the parents' names would appear.

The inner envelope can be more casual in tone than the outer envelope. While the outer envelope is formal and includes recipients' addresses, full names, titles, and sometimes even middle names, the inner envelope can include titles such as Mr. and Miss or be addressed with first names only.

The return address is typically placed on the back flap of the outer envelope. Formally, only the physical address is listed, with no names. However, it is acceptable to include names, such as "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Johnson" or first names only, such as "Alex and John." If the bride and groom prefer their names to be listed, a casual approach is to use first names only, such as "Kari and Bradley."

The choice of including both inner and outer envelopes is a matter of personal preference and the level of formality desired. While it is a more traditional option, it is not necessary to include both sets of envelopes.

Addressing wedding invitations

The return address on a wedding invitation is important as it tells guests where gifts and responses should be mailed. Traditionally, the return address goes on the back flap of the invitation envelope and the front side of the response envelopes. If you are using double envelopes (inner and outer), the return address only goes on the outer envelope.

There are no hard and fast rules on how to address wedding invitations, but traditionally, whoever is hosting the wedding would be noted as the return address. This may be the couple themselves or a parent.

If you are sticking to tradition, only the physical address is listed on the back flap of the invitation envelope, with no names. However, it is okay to include names if you wish. On the response envelope, names should be included.

• Outer envelope (formal): 12 Park Lane, Mobile, Alabama 36695
• Response envelope (bride's parents' return address): Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Johnson, 12 Park Lane, Mobile, Alabama 36695
• Response envelope (bride and groom's return address, formal): Ms. Kari Johnson, Mr. Bradley Shaw, 23848 Dunmore Loop, Mobile, Alabama 36695
• Response envelope (bride and groom's return address, casual): Kari and Bradley, 23848 Dunmore Loop, Mobile, Alabama 36695

There are several options for getting your return address onto the envelope, including printing, labels, stamps, or calligraphy.

If you are only sending one envelope with your wedding invitations, all invited parties should be listed on the front. This includes guests that are usually only listed on the inner envelope, such as plus-ones and children.

Formatting and Design

When addressing wedding invitations, the outer envelope should be formal. A foolproof option is to write out the recipient's full name(s), including their personal title(s). This works for couples of all genders, feels traditional, and is appropriate for a formal affair.

For a more modern approach, you can forgo titles and use only first and last names. If some guests do not identify as Mrs., Ms., Miss, or Mr., this option may be more appropriate. Be sure to double-check each attendee's preferred titles beforehand.

Inner envelopes are more informal, giving you the option to leave out one or two elements of the formal name format. You can use personal titles and last names, or go for a casual vibe with first names only.

Timing and Mailing

Give yourself enough time to get the address list in order so that you can send your invitations out on time. It is also a good idea to allow for a buffer period to double-check any details before you head to the post office.

Traditionally, wedding invitations were delivered by hand, and this is a tradition that many brides continue to follow for formal invitations. However, it is not necessary, and you can choose to mail your invitations.

Other Considerations

• If you are hand-addressing your invitations, traditional etiquette says to use black ink.
• It is acceptable to abbreviate titles (Dr., Mrs., etc.), but traditionally, you should not abbreviate anything else. Writing out street numbers and state names is elegant but can be time-consuming and delay delivery.
• Individually addressing your wedding invitations by hand is a nice touch, but it is not necessary. You can print guest address labels, buy pre-printed envelopes, or hire a local calligrapher.

Frequently asked questions