Addressing Wedding Invitations: A Guide For Diy Couples

Wedding invitations are a chance to showcase your style and tone for the big day. But, there is a lot to consider when it comes to addressing them. From titles and prefixes to inner and outer envelopes, it can be a tricky task. The key to getting it right is to be clear on who is invited and to be mindful of your guests' preferences.

How to address a wedding invitation to a married couple with the same last name

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with the same last name, there are a few different options to choose from. Here are some examples to help you format your invitations:

For a heterosexual couple, the outer envelope can be addressed using "Mr." and "Mrs." followed by the husband's first and last name. For a same-sex couple, either name can go first.

Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren"

Inner envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle"

If the couple may prefer a more modern approach that includes both names, you can address the outer envelope as follows:

Outer envelope: "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren"

Inner envelope: "Mr. Warren and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle"

When addressing the outer envelope, you can also choose to forgo titles and list their names separately:

Outer envelope: "Mr. John Rivera and Mrs. Samantha Rivera"

Inner envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Rivera" or "John and Samantha"

If you are using only an outer envelope, you can simply include both names with their titles:

Outer envelope: "Mr. John Rivera and Mrs. Samantha Rivera"

Remember, when addressing wedding invitations, it is important to use the correct titles and relationship status of the guests. The inner envelope is usually more informal, giving you the option to be more casual.

How to address a wedding invitation to a married couple with different last names

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with different last names, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to use the correct titles or prefixes for each person. "Mr." is used for men, while "Mrs." is traditionally used for married women, and "Ms." is often used for women over the age of 18. For non-binary guests, the abbreviation "Mx." is typically used.

For a heterosexual couple with different last names, you can write their full names on the same line, with the woman's name first. If the combined names are too long to fit on one line, you can list them separately. Here's an example:

Outer envelope: "Mrs. Gwyneth Brookes and Mr. Cyan Matthews" or "Mr. Cyan Matthews and Mrs. Gwyneth Brookes"

Inner envelope: "Mrs. Brookes and Mr. Matthews" or "Gwyneth and Cyan"

For same-sex married couples with different last names, the same format applies. Ensure you address your guests with the appropriate prefixes. Here's an example:

Outer envelope: "Mr. Daniel Ramsay and Mr. Jeric Combs" or "Mrs. Margarette Hyde and Mrs. Kayla Cruz"

Inner envelope: "Mr. Ramsay and Mr. Combs" or "Mr. Combs and Mr. Ramsay" or "Daniel and Jeric" or "Margarette and Kayla"

When addressing the outer envelope, you can choose to list either the husband or wife's name first, depending on whom you are closest to or alphabetical order if you are equally close to both.

Additionally, if one partner has a hyphenated name, their name is usually listed last. You can use either "Ms." or "Mrs." for the prefix. Here's an example:

Outer envelope: "Mr. Andy Dwyer and Ms. April Ludgate-Dwyer"

Inner envelope: "Mr. Dwyer and Ms. Ludgate-Dwyer" or "Andy and April"

Remember to double-check the preferred titles and names of the guests before finalising your wedding invitations.

How to address a wedding invitation to a single person

When addressing a wedding invitation to a single person, the most important thing to remember is to use their preferred title. If you are unsure, it is best to leave out the title altogether. If the single person is a woman, use "Ms." if she is over 18, and "Miss" if she is younger than 18. For a single male guest, use "Mr." if he is over 18; otherwise, no title is necessary. If your guest identifies as non-binary, use the honorific "Mx." If your guest is a widow, it is best to ask if she prefers to be addressed using her married name or her husband's name. A divorced woman can be addressed using "Ms." or "Mrs." and either her married or maiden name, depending on her preference. If your guest is a judge, use the term "The Honourable" before their full name. If they are a priest, use the term "Father" before their full name.

The outer envelope should include the guest's name and address. The inner envelope is optional but can be used to clarify who else is invited, such as plus ones or children. The inner envelope is more informal and may include the guest's name and title, or just their first name if you are very close with them.

Outer envelope:

• Ms. Elizabeth Lemon (single female)
• Miss Donna-Jo Tanner (single female under 18)
• Mr. George Costanza (single male)
• Mx. Courtney Andrews (non-binary guest)
• Mrs. George Devereaux (widowed woman)
• Mrs./Ms. Cookie Lyon (divorced woman)
• The Honourable Sonia Sotomayor (judge)
• Father Damien Karras (priest)

Inner envelope:

• Ms. Lemon (or Elizabeth if you are very close with the guest)
• Miss Tanner
• Mr. Costanza (or George)
• Mx. Andrews
• Mrs. Devereaux (or Blanche)
• Mrs./Ms. Lyon (or Mrs./Ms. Holloway)
• The Honourable Sotomayor
• Father Karras

How to address a wedding invitation to a family

When addressing a wedding invitation to a family, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are some detailed instructions to help you get it right:

Outer Envelope:

The outer envelope is the more formal of the two envelopes and typically includes the family's address, postage, and return address. When addressing a family, there are a few options:

• If you want to be general, you can simply address the envelope to the whole family or include "and family" after the parents' names. For example: "The Smith Family" or "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith and Family".
• If you want to specify which family members are invited, write the names of each invited family member, including the parents, in list form. Start with the parents' names, followed by the names of their children in order of age. For girls under 18, you can use "Miss" as a title. Boys do not need a title until they are 16, when they can be addressed as "Mr.". For example: "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, Miss Emily Smith, Master Michael Smith".
• If the family has a different last name, you can list either parent's name first based on your preference, or alphabetically. For example: "Mrs. Emily Johnson and Mr. John Smith".

Inner Envelope:

The inner envelope is more informal and typically includes only the recipients' names and the invitation suite. When addressing a family, you have a bit more flexibility:

• If you've listed the entire family on the outer envelope, you can simply use their first names on the inner envelope. For example: "John, Emily, Miss Emily, Master Michael".
• If you've only listed the parents on the outer envelope, you can add the first names of their invited children on the inner envelope. For example: "Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Emily, Michael".

Additional Tips:

• It's important to give yourself enough time to assemble and mail the invitations. This task can be time-consuming, so set aside a few dedicated chunks of time to complete it.
• Be sure to weigh your invitations before mailing. Take a complete invitation to the post office to ensure you have the correct postage.
• If you're inviting children over the age of 18 who live with their parents, they should receive their own invitation.

How to address a wedding invitation to a married couple with a hyphenated last name

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with a hyphenated last name, the outer envelope should include both of their full names, with the prefix "Mr." and "Mrs." included. The person with the hyphenated name should be listed last. Here is an example:

> "Mr. Marcus Craft and Mrs. Brian Crosby-Craft"

If you are close with the couple, you can list the person you are closest with first, or go in alphabetical order if you are equally close with them.

For the inner envelope, you can drop the prefixes and just include their surnames, or use their first names if you are very close with the couple. Here are some examples:

> "Mr. Craft and Mrs. Crosby-Craft" or "Marcus and Brian"

If one partner has a distinguished title, such as a judge, military personnel, or a member of the clergy, the same rules apply. The person with the distinguished title should be listed first, regardless of gender. Here is an example:

> Outer envelope: "The Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Mr. Martin David Ginsburg"

> Inner envelope: "Judge Ginsburg and Mr. Ginsburg"

Frequently asked questions