George Boyle
When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a lot of things to keep in mind, from the tone and style to the specific wording and formatting. One important consideration is how to specify the number of guests invited, especially when dealing with families or couples. The traditional approach is to use full names and titles (Mr., Mrs., Miss, etc.), with each guest's name on a new line if they are not married but receiving one invitation. For couples, it is customary to put their names on the same line, and for families, it is common to address the invitation to the entire household, such as The Smith Family. When indicating the number of seats reserved, it is recommended to fill in the number of seats rather than leaving it blank, to avoid confusion or unexpected plus-ones.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of guests | Write out the number of guests invited from each family |
| Names | Use full names and correct titles (Mr., Mrs., Miss, Mx., Ms., Dr.) |
| Spacing | Names on the same line indicate a married couple or a couple |
| Envelopes | Outer envelope is formal, inner envelope is informal |
| Abbreviations | Abbreviate street names and use all caps for printed addresses |
What You'll Learn
How to address a wedding invitation to a single person
When addressing a wedding invitation to a single person, it's important to use their preferred title and full name. Here are some examples to illustrate how to address invitations to single individuals:
Example 1: Single Female Without a Plus-One
On the outer envelope: Ms. Ali Johnson
On the inner envelope: Ms. Johnson
Example 2: Single Female With a Plus-One
On the outer envelope: Ms. Stephanie Chen
On the inner envelope: Ms. Chen and guest, or Stephanie and guest
Example 3: Single Male Without a Plus-One
On the outer envelope: Mr. Michael Rodriguez
On the inner envelope: Mr. Rodriguez
Example 4: Single Male With a Plus-One
On the outer envelope: Mr. James Montgomery
On the inner envelope: Mr. Montgomery and guest, or James and guest
Example 5: Single Non-Binary Individual With a Plus-One
On the outer envelope: Mx. Sam Li
On the inner envelope: Sam Li and Guest
General Guidelines:
- Always use the person's preferred title and full name.
- For unmarried women, use "Miss" or "Ms." For married women, use "Mrs." or "Ms." If unsure, "Ms." is a safe choice.
- For men, use "Mr." regardless of marital status.
- For non-binary individuals, use the gender-neutral honorific "Mx."
- If the single guest is allowed to bring a plus-one, add "and guest" on the inner envelope.
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How to address a wedding invitation to a family
When sending out wedding invitations, it's important to get the address format right. Here's a guide on how to address wedding invitations to a family:
The Outer Envelope
The outer envelope is the more formal of the two and should include titles and complete names. If you are inviting a family with young children (under 18), the outer envelope should be reserved for the names of the parents or guardians. If you are inviting the whole family, you can address the envelope to the entire family, for example:
- The Rodriguez Family
- The Chopra Household
If you want to specify which family members are invited, write the names of each family member in list form, starting with the parent or parents' names, and list the invited children's names in order of age below. Girls under 18 can be addressed as "Miss". For example:
- Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham
- Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham, Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany, and Mx. Kelly
The Inner Envelope
The inner envelope is more informal, and you can be more personal. If you are inviting a family with young children, list each child by name on the inner envelope. For example:
- Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham
- Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany, and Mx. Kelly
If the family is larger, you may also choose to include the names of adult children living at home underneath their parents' names. For example:
- Mr. and Mrs. James Watson
- Miss Meredith Watson
If the whole family is invited, you can use the family name or only the names of the parents on the outer envelope, and then list the first names of all invited family members on the inner envelope. For example:
- Outer envelope: The Simpson Family
- Inner envelope: Homer, Marge, Bart, Miss Lisa, and Miss Maggie
Other Tips
- If you are inviting children over 18, they should receive their own invitations.
- If you don't list the children's names on the invitation, your guests should understand that they are not invited. However, be aware that some people may still assume their children are invited. To avoid this, mention that children are not invited on your wedding website, and follow up with families that may not have gotten the message.
- If you are inviting a widow, reach out to a family member and ask if she would prefer to use her first name followed by her married last name or her husband's full name. If you can't get this information, it's best to go with her full name.
- If you are inviting a same-sex couple, the same rules apply as for any other couple.
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How to address a wedding invitation to a married couple
When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple, there are a few general guidelines to follow. Firstly, it is customary to put their names on the same line. If the married couple has the same last name, the outer envelope can be addressed as "Mr. and Mrs. [Husband's first name] [Shared last name]." For example, "Mr. and Mrs. John Rivera." If the couple has different last names, the outer envelope can be addressed as "[Partner's first name] [Partner's last name] and [Partner's first name] [Partner's last name]." For instance, "Ms. Celine Elgin and Ms. Jacqueline Purcell."
When addressing the inner envelope, it is acceptable to use just the last name shared by the couple, or their first names. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Rivera" or "John and Samantha." If the couple has different last names, the inner envelope can be addressed using their first names or their separate last names. For example, "Celine and Jacqueline" or "Ms. Elgin and Ms. Purcell."
It is worth noting that wedding invitation etiquette has evolved, and there are no hard and fast rules. If the couple has different last names, you can list the person you are closest with first, or you can go in alphabetical order. Additionally, if the couple is sensitive to the tradition of the wife's name being left out and lumped in with her husband, you can include her first and last name on the outer envelope. For instance, "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren."
In terms of titles, it is generally recommended to use "Mr." for married men, "Mrs." for married women (even if they use their maiden name), and "Ms." for unmarried or married women. However, if you are unsure of a guest's marital status or preference, "Ms." is a safe option. For a gender-neutral option, you can use "Mx."
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How to address a wedding invitation to an unmarried couple
When addressing a wedding invitation to an unmarried couple, the format is a little different from that of a married couple. Both names should be included on the envelopes, but each name gets its own line. List the person whom you are closest to first, or go in alphabetical order if you're equally close to both guests.
On the outer envelope:
Mr. Aaron Triguiero
Mr. Gabriel Reyes
On the inner envelope:
Mr. Triguiero
Mr. Reyes
If you are addressing an unmarried couple with different last names, the format is the same as addressing couples who share a last name. Simply list each person's title and full name.
On the outer envelope:
Mr. Aaron Triguiero
Mr. Gabriel Reyes
On the inner envelope:
Mr. Triguiero
Mr. Reyes
If you are addressing an unmarried couple with the same last name, the format is also the same as addressing a married couple with different last names. List each person's title and full name.
On the outer envelope:
Mr. Aaron Smith
Mr. Gabriel Smith
On the inner envelope:
Mr. Aaron Smith
Mr. Gabriel Smith
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How to address wedding invitations to those with distinguished titles
When addressing wedding invitations to those with distinguished titles, such as doctors, lawyers, judges, or military personnel, it is considered proper etiquette to use their title.
Doctors
If your guest is a doctor, the traditional way to address them is to use "Dr." on the outer envelope and "Dr." or "Doctor" on the inner envelope. If both people in a couple are doctors, you can address them as "The Doctors" on both envelopes.
Military Personnel
For military personnel, use their military title and "US Navy" or another appropriate abbreviation on the outer envelope. On the inner envelope, include their title and last name, or just their last name.
Lawyers
When addressing lawyers, use "Esq." after their name on the outer envelope. On the inner envelope, you can refer to them as "Mr." or "Mrs."
Judges
When addressing a judge, use "The Honorable" before their name on the outer envelope. On the inner envelope, "Judge" and their last name, or just their last name, is appropriate.
Multiple Titles
If both members of a couple have distinguished titles, list the person with the higher-ranking title first, regardless of gender. If the titles are of equal rank, list their names alphabetically.
Abbreviations
While it is more formal to write out titles in full on the outer envelope, abbreviations are acceptable if space is an issue or you prefer a more modern look.
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Frequently asked questions
You can address the invitation to specific individuals within the family, listing their names on the inner envelope. If you're inviting the entire family, you can address the outer envelope to "The [Last Name] Family" and specify the number of seats reserved for them on the RSVP card.
If you are inviting a couple, both names should be included on the envelopes, with each name on a separate line. If you are allowing a plus-one for an unmarried guest, you can add "and Guest" on the inner envelope or invitation.
When inviting a group of friends, list each person's name separately on the envelope. If you are allowing a plus-one for an unmarried guest, you can add "and Guest" on their individual envelope or invitation.
