Addressing Wedding Invites: The Apartment Edition

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to consider the formality of your wedding. A black-tie affair calls for a more traditional and elegant addressing style, while a laid-back country wedding may be more casual and relaxed. Here are some tips on how to address envelopes for wedding invitations when guests are living in an apartment:

- Use formal names and avoid nicknames.

- Spell out all words, including single-digit street numbers and secondary address details such as apartment.

- Abbreviate titles such as Mr., Mrs., Ms. and Jr..

- Write out professional titles such as Doctor or Professor.

- Avoid exceeding five lines when addressing envelopes.

- Send out invitations six to eight weeks in advance.

> Mr. and Mrs. John Doe

> 213 South Maple Street

> Apartment 3

> Chino, California 91710

Spell out the apartment number and street name

When writing an address with an apartment number, it's important to ensure that you are following the correct format so that your mail reaches its intended destination without any delays. Here are some detailed instructions on how to spell out the apartment number and street name:

Recipient's Name:

Start by writing the recipient's full legal name on the first line. This is crucial, especially when sending mail internationally. Using nicknames or initials can cause confusion and delays in delivery.

Street Address and Number:

On the second line, write the building address, followed by the apartment number. You can use abbreviations like "St" for "Street", "BLDG" for "Building", and "APT" for "Apartment" to save space. However, ensure that there is a clear space between the building address and the apartment number. For example: "Antonia Moore, 45 Jackson Ave Apt 30".

If you have a complex address with a building and apartment number, you may need to use two lines. Here's an example: "Mr. and Mrs. John Doe, 213 South Maple Street, Building 4, Apartment 12, Chino, California 91710".

City, State, and ZIP Code:

On the third line, write the recipient's city, state, and ZIP code. Start with the city name, followed by a comma, the state abbreviation, a space, and then the ZIP code. For international mail, include the city and province, or just the city if there is no province.

Country (For International Mail):

If you are sending mail internationally, write the full name of the country on a separate line below the ZIP code or province.

Return Address:

Don't forget to include your return address in the upper left corner of the envelope. This will ensure that your mail can be returned to you in case of any errors or issues.

Additional Tips:

• Use a ballpoint pen and write clearly to ensure your address is legible.
• Double-check all details, including the recipient's name, apartment number, and ZIP code, to avoid mistakes.
• Avoid using cursive, as it can be difficult to read and increase the likelihood of your mail getting lost.
• When in doubt, refer to the guidelines provided by postal services like the USPS for addressing standards and approved abbreviations.

Write out all words in the address

When writing out the address on a wedding invitation envelope, it is important to write out all words in full. This means that instead of using abbreviations like "St.", "P.O. Box", and "Apt.", you should spell out "Street", "Post Office Box", and "Apartment". The same goes for city and state names; instead of using abbreviations, write out the full name of the city and state, such as "Saint Paul, Minnesota" or "Washington, District of Columbia". Even house numbers that are smaller than twenty should be written out as words.

Mr. and Mrs. John Doe

213 South Maple Street

Apartment 3

Chino, California 91710

If you are addressing an envelope to an apartment in a building, you may need to use two lines to fit the street address. Here is an example of how this might look:

Mr. and Mrs. John Doe

213 South Maple Street

Building 4, Apartment 12

Chino, California 91710

It is worth noting that the zip code can be centred and placed on its own line below the state name.

While it is important to adhere to formal etiquette when addressing wedding invitations, ultimately, the style you choose can be adjusted to suit your personal preference and the formality of your wedding.

Abbreviate titles like Mr., Mrs., Ms. and Jr

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to adhere to certain etiquette guidelines to ensure your envelopes are properly formatted and not offensive. Here are some detailed instructions for abbreviating titles like Mr., Mrs., Ms., and Jr. on your wedding invitation envelopes:

Mr.

• For a single male guest, use "Mr." followed by his full name. For example, "Mr. John Smith".
• For a married couple with the same last name, use "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the husband's full name or write out each person's first name. For instance, "Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Johnson" or "Mr. Samuel and Mrs. Eliza Johnson".
• For a married couple with different last names, write out each person's full name with "Mr." before the man's name. The order of names can be based on your preference. For example, "Mr. Frank Smith and Mrs. Grace Apple".
• For an unmarried couple living together, write their names on separate lines without the word "and", which implies marriage. For instance, "Mr. John Smith, Ms. Sarah Thompson".
• For a married couple with children invited, mention "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the husband's full name, and then list the children's names on the next line. Only include the children's first names if they are under 18. For instance, "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Randall, Carolyn, Julie, and William".

Mrs.

• For a married couple with the same last name, use "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the husband's full name or write out the wife's first name as well. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Johnson" or "Mr. Samuel and Mrs. Eliza Johnson".
• For a married couple with different last names, write out the wife's full name with "Mrs." before it. The order of names can be based on your preference. For example, "Mr. Frank Smith and Mrs. Grace Apple".
• For a married woman who has kept her maiden name, use "Mrs." followed by her husband's first name and last name. For instance, "Mrs. Henry Jones".
• For a widowed woman, it is traditional to use "Mrs." followed by her late husband's first and last name. For example, "Mrs. Henry Jones".
• If a married woman has chosen to retain her husband's last name, you can use "Mrs." followed by her first name, which may feel more appropriate in certain scenarios. For instance, "Mrs. Anna Jones".
• When addressing a married couple where the wife is a doctor and uses her married name, list her name first, followed by "and", and then her husband's full name. For example, "Dr. Lilian and Mr. Seth Weinberg".
• If the wife is a doctor and uses her maiden name, follow the same format but include her last name. For instance, "Dr. Suzanne Jones and Mr. Joshua Turner".

Ms.

• For a single female guest, use "Ms." followed by her full name. For example, "Ms. Sarah Thompson".
• For a divorced woman who has returned to her maiden name, use "Ms." followed by her maiden name. For instance, "Ms. Anna Smith".
• For a married couple with different last names, use "Ms." for the wife, followed by her full name, and "Mr." for the husband, joined by "and". The order of names is flexible. For example, "Ms. Anna Smith and Mr. Henry Jones".
• For an unmarried couple living together, write their names on separate lines without the word "and", which implies marriage. For instance, "Ms. Sarah Thompson, Mr. John Smith".
• For a married couple where the wife has chosen not to take her husband's last name, list her name first, followed by "and", and then her husband's full name. For example, "Ms. Sarah Thompson and Mr. John Smith".
• If the wife has a hyphenated name, follow the same format but include her hyphenated last name. For instance, "Mr. John Smith and Mrs. Sarah Thompson-Smith".

Jr.

When addressing a married couple where the husband is a "Jr.", use "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the husband's full name, including "Jr." without abbreviation. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, junior".

Remember to use full names and avoid abbreviations or initials when addressing wedding invitation envelopes. Also, be mindful of each person's preferences and try to use the most formal options when in doubt.

Write out professional titles like Doctor or Professor

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to use the correct titles or prefixes for your guests. Here are some guidelines for writing out professional titles like Doctor or Professor on wedding invitation envelopes:

Married Couple, One Person Is a Doctor:

For a married couple where one person is a doctor, the doctor's name should be listed first, followed by their partner's name. If the combined names are too long for one line, list them separately. It is customary to spell out "Doctor" on the outer envelope and abbreviate it as "Dr." on the inner envelope.

Outer envelope: "Doctor Tami Takata and Mr./Ms. [Partner's Name] or Dr. Tami Takata and Mr./Ms. [Partner's Name]

Inner envelope: Dr. Takata and [Partner's Name] or Tami and [Partner's Name]

Married Couple, Both Are Doctors:

When addressing a married couple where both partners are doctors, it is proper to use "The Doctors" on the outer envelope. If their names are too long to fit on one line, you can abbreviate "Doctor" as "Dr." and list their names separately.

Outer envelope: "The Doctors [Last Name]" or Drs. [Names] and [Partner's Name(s)]"

Inner envelope: "The Doctors [Last Name]" or " [Names] and [Partner's Name(s)]"

Couple With Other Distinguished Titles:

For couples with other distinguished titles, such as military personnel, judges, or reverends, apply similar rules as for doctors. List the person with the higher-ranking title first, regardless of gender. If both titles don't fit on one line, indent the second line.

Outer envelope: "The Honorable [Name] and Mr./Mrs. [Name]" or "Captain [Names], [Branch of Service]"

Inner envelope: Judge [Name] and Mr./Mrs. [Name] or "The Captains [Names]"

Single Person With a Title:

For a single person with a title, such as "Doctor" or "Professor," use their title followed by their name on the outer envelope. On the inner envelope, you can use their name or just their initials.

Outer envelope: "Doctor/Professor [Name]"

Inner envelope: " [Name] or " [Initials]"

Married Person With a Title:

For a married person with a title, such as "Doctor" or "Professor," list their title and name first, followed by their partner's name. If the doctor is a woman who has taken her husband's last name, reflect that in the address.

Outer envelope: "Doctor/Professor [Name] and Mr./Mrs. [Partner's Name]" or "Doctor/Professor [Name] and Mrs. [Doctor's Last Name]"

Inner envelope: "Dr./Prof. [Name] and Mr./Mrs. [Partner's Name]" or " [Name] and [Partner's Name]"

Write the zip code on its own line

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations, it's important to consider the level of formality you wish to convey. This will guide your approach to writing the recipients' addresses, including how you write the zip code.

For a formal invitation, it is customary to write out the zip code on its own line, separate from the rest of the address. This approach ensures that the address is presented in a clear and elegant manner. It also allows for the state name to be showcased, as it appears on the line above the zip code.

Mr. and Mrs. John Doe

213 South Maple Street

Apartment 3

Chino, California

91710

By presenting the zip code in this manner, you provide a visually appealing layout that adheres to traditional etiquette.

If you opt for an informal invitation style, you may choose to include the zip code on the same line as the city and state. This approach saves space and creates a more concise presentation.

Mr. and Mrs. John Doe

213 South Maple Street, Apartment 3

Chino, CA 91710

Ultimately, the decision to write the zip code on its own line or to include it with the city and state depends on your preference for formality and the overall aesthetic you wish to achieve for your wedding invitations.

Remember, when addressing wedding invitations, it is essential to consider all aspects of the address, including titles, street names, and zip codes, to ensure a polished and respectful presentation.

Frequently asked questions