Requesting Addresses For Wedding Invites: A Simple Guide

Planning a wedding can be stressful, and one of the first steps after creating your guest list is to collect your guests' mailing addresses. This can be a daunting task, especially with so many people moving during the pandemic. There are, however, several methods to make this process easier. You can ask each guest directly, recruit family members to help, search public databases, or use an online form or personal CRM tool. Once you have your guests' addresses, you can then decide how to address your wedding invitations, whether you want to include titles such as Mr. and Mrs. or keep it casual, and whether you want to use inner envelopes in addition to outer envelopes.

How to request addresses from a large number of guests

Planning a wedding is an exciting but daunting task. Sending out invitations is a key part of the process, and it's important to get it right. Here is a step-by-step guide to requesting addresses from a large number of guests.

Step 1: Finalise Your Guest List

Before you start collecting addresses, finalise your guest list. This will ensure you only request addresses from those you definitely plan to invite. This step is important as a request for an address is often seen as an informal "Save the Date", so you don't want to get anyone's hopes up!

Step 2: Choose Your Method

There are several ways to collect addresses, and you may find it best to use a combination of these.

• Directly ask each guest: This ensures you have accurate and up-to-date information. When you speak to each guest, be sure to get their full address, including any apartment or building numbers. You can contact guests via phone, text, email, or social media.
• Recruit family members: Your family members may have the contact information for many of your guests, but this information could be outdated or incomplete.
• Search public databases: You can search for addresses through public databases such as the US Postal Service or the White Pages. This method is helpful for guests you cannot reach directly, but the data may be inaccurate.
• Use an online form or personal CRM tool: Online methods are a great way to collect addresses efficiently and store them in one place. Tools like Postable, Google Forms, and Minted's Digital Address Collection Cards allow you to create a form to collect guest information, such as names, addresses, and phone numbers. You can then share the form via text, email, or your wedding website.

Step 3: Share and Follow Up

Once you've chosen and created your form, share it with your guests and let them fill in their details. You may need to follow up with guests who haven't responded.

Step 4: Store the Data

Once you have all the address information, store it in a safe place. Tools like Postable will store responses in one place, making it easy to access when you're ready to send out invitations.

Step 5: Double-Check and Send

Before sending out your wedding invitations, double-check all address information for accuracy. Ensure all information is correct to guarantee your guests receive their invitations without delay.

Bonus Step: Explore Printing Services

Consider using a printing service to print your invitations and envelopes directly from the website where you collected the addresses. Services like Minted and Postable offer this option.

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to successfully requesting addresses from a large number of guests. Happy planning!

Requesting addresses from guests with distinguished titles

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations, there are a few different scenarios and nuances to consider, especially when inviting guests with distinguished titles. Here are some guidelines and examples to help you properly address your invitations to guests with distinguished titles:

Doctors

To invite a married couple where one or both partners are doctors, you have a few options:

• If the doctor uses their partner's surname socially: "Dr. Anne and Mr. Peter Underwood"
• For two doctors with different last names: "Doctor Tami Takata and Ms. Christina Smith"
• For two doctors with the same last name: "The Doctors Smith" or "Drs. Matthew and Angela Smith"
• If one doctor has a hyphenated last name: "Doctor Matthew Smith and Doctor Angela Griggs-Smith"

Military Personnel

When inviting military personnel, include their rank and branch of service:

• For a couple where one partner is in the military: "Lieutenant Jonathan Kelly, US Navy and Mrs. Jane Kelly"
• For a couple where both partners are in the military: "Captains Jane and Jonathan Kelly, US Navy"

Lawyers

To invite a couple where one or both partners are lawyers, you can use the following formats:

• "Michelle Brown, Esq. and Mr. John Brown"
• For two lawyers: "Michelle Brown, Esq. and John Brown, Esq."

Judges

When inviting judges, use their honorable title:

• For a judge and their partner: "The Honorable Gina Rodriguez and Mx. Alice Rodriguez"
• On the inner envelope: "Judge Rodriguez and Mx. Rodriguez"

Other Distinguished Titles

For guests with other distinguished titles, such as knights, baronets, or clergy, follow these guidelines:

• For a knight: "Sir John Smith, Bt" or "Sir John Smith"
• For a baronet's wife: "Dame Mary Smith, Btss" or "Dame Mary Smith"
• For a member of the clergy: "The Reverend John Smith" or "The Rev. John Smith"

Remember, it is essential to use the correct titles and formats when addressing guests with distinguished titles. These guidelines will help ensure that your invitations are respectful and appropriate.

Requesting addresses from single guests

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations to single guests, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you follow proper etiquette. Here is a detailed guide to help you with the task:

Use the person's preferred title. If they are 18 years or older, use "Mr." for males and "Ms." for females. For those under 18, no title is necessary for males, while "Miss" is acceptable for females. If your single guest identifies as non-binary, use the honorific "Mx." If you are unsure about their preferred title, it is best to forgo the title altogether.

Outer Envelope

On the outer envelope, use the guest's title and full name. For example:

> Mr. George Constanza

> Mx. Courtney Andrews

Inner Envelope

The inner envelope is more informal. You can use only their title and last name or, if you are very close to the guest, just their first name. For example:

> Mr. Constanza

> Elizabeth

Plus-One

If you have allowed a plus-one for a single guest, it is best to know the name of the person they will bring. Include their name on the envelope as you would for an unmarried couple. For example:

> Ms. Susan Bunch

> Ms. Carol Willik-Bunch

If you do not know the name of their guest, simply write "and guest" after the invitee's name. For example:

> Mr. Zachary Morris and guest

Formality

The level of formality of your wedding should also be considered when addressing invitations. If you are having a casual wedding, such as a backyard barbecue or brunch in the park, you can be less formal. You may leave out titles and use only first names. However, for a more formal wedding, it is best to err on the side of formality.

Digital Tools

Collecting mailing addresses from your single guests can be done easily through digital tools. Services like Minted's Digital Address Collection Cards and Google Forms allow you to gather addresses electronically, saving you time and effort.

Requesting addresses from families

When sending out wedding invitations, it's important to be clear about who is invited. If you are inviting a whole family, there are a few ways to address the envelope.

If you want to be specific about which family members are invited, write the names of each family member, starting with the parents' names, and list the children in order of age. Girls under 18 can be addressed as "Miss". Here is an example:

> The Simpson Family

> Mr. and Mrs. Homer Simpson

> Mr. Bart Simpson

> Miss Lisa Simpson

If you want to invite the whole family, use the family name or the names of the parents on the outer envelope:

> The Simpson Family

> or

> Mr. & Mrs. Homer Simpson

Then list the first names of all invited family members on the inner envelope:

> Mr. and Mrs. Simpson

> Bart, Lisa, and Maggie

> or

> Homer, Marge, Bart, Miss Lisa, and Miss Maggie

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

Requesting addresses from guests with the same last name

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations to guests with the same last name, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that your invitations are both proper and effective. Here are some instructive guidelines to help you navigate this process:

Identify the Specific Guests:

Firstly, ensure that you clearly identify the specific guests you intend to invite. This is crucial when addressing envelopes to families with the same last name. If you're inviting the entire family, use "The [Last Name] Family" or list the names of the parents followed by "and Family." If only certain members of the family are invited, be explicit by listing their names individually.

Use Formal Titles and Full Names:

When addressing guests with the same last name, it's advisable to use formal titles and full names. For married couples, use "Mr." and "Mrs." followed by the husband's full name. For unmarried couples, list each person's full name separately, with the person you're closest to listed first. For single individuals, use "Mr." or "Ms." followed by their full name.

Consider Inner and Outer Envelopes:

Traditionally, the inner and outer envelopes of wedding invitations follow different etiquette rules. The outer envelope should be formal, with the recipient's full name and title. The inner envelope can be more informal, allowing for the use of first names only if desired.

Handle Different Address Scenarios:

If you're inviting a married couple with the same last name, spell out the husband's full name after "Mr." and "Mrs." If they have different last names, write their names on the same line with the woman's name first. For unmarried couples with the same last name, list each person's name separately on one line.

Collect Mailing Addresses Efficiently:

Rather than contacting each guest individually, use digital tools like Minted's Digital Address Collection Cards or Google Forms to collect guests' mailing addresses. This will save you time and streamline the process.

Be Mindful of Etiquette:

Remember that wedding invitation etiquette is important. Sending separate invitations to each adult or couple/family unit is considered proper, even if they share the same address. This ensures that each guest or household receives their own invitation, making it easier for them to RSVP.

Frequently asked questions