Involving Children In Your Wedding: Addressing Invites To Little Ones

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are many traditions and etiquette rules to consider, especially when addressing guests with children. The general rule is that children under 18 are included under their parents' names on the inner envelope only, listed in order from oldest to youngest. Boys under 18 do not need a title, while girls under 18 can be addressed as Miss. Children over 18 and living with their parents should receive their own invitation, with Ms. for girls and Mr. for boys. If you are inviting a whole family with children, the outer envelope can be addressed to The [Family Name] or Mr. & Mrs. [Parents' Names] & Family, with children's names listed on the inner envelope.

Children's names on the inner envelope only

When it comes to wedding invitation etiquette, there are a few different ways to address children, depending on their age and whether they are invited or not. Here are some instructive paragraphs specifically focused on listing children's names on the inner envelope only:

If you are inviting children to your wedding, it is customary to include their names on the inner envelope only, not the outer envelope. This is considered more formal and traditional. The outer envelope is reserved for the parents' names only. For example, if you are inviting "The Thompson Family", the outer envelope would simply say "Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson". On the inner envelope, you would list the children's names: "Alan, Emily, Roger, Chance, Miss Jennifer, and Miss Lily".

Age-Appropriate Titles

When including children's names on the inner envelope, it is proper etiquette to use age-appropriate titles. Girls under the age of 18 are addressed as "Miss", while boys under 18 do not require a title. For boys, a title is only necessary if they are 16 or older, in which case they are addressed as "Mr.". For example, if you are inviting a family with children of different ages, the inner envelope might read: "Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, Miss Lily, and Christopher".

Implied Invitation

It is important to note that if you do not include children's names, it may be implied that they are not invited. However, this is not always clear, and some guests may still assume their children are welcome. To avoid any confusion, it is recommended to spread the word through family and friends that the wedding will be adults-only. You can also include this information on your wedding website.

Formality and Tradition

Following the tradition of listing children's names on the inner envelope only adds formality to your wedding invitations. It is a respectful way to address your guests and their families, especially if you are having a formal or traditional wedding. This approach allows you to individually acknowledge each child while maintaining a sense of elegance and etiquette.

Inner Envelope Format

When writing children's names on the inner envelope, it is customary to list them from oldest to youngest. For example, if the family you are inviting has three children, the inner envelope would read: "Miss Jennifer, Roger, and Chance". This format respects the hierarchy within the family and ensures that everyone is addressed appropriately.

Addressing boys and girls under 18

When addressing boys and girls under the age of 18 on wedding invitations, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to note that children under 18 are typically only listed on the inner envelope and not the outer envelope. The outer envelope is reserved for the names of the parents or guardians.

For girls under 18, the title "Miss" can be used, although it is not mandatory. Boys under 18 do not need a title and can simply be addressed by their names. However, if a boy is under 13, you can use the title "Master" to add a sense of formality.

When listing the children's names, it is customary to list them under their parents' names, from oldest to youngest. For example, if you are inviting a family with two children under the age of 18, the outer envelope can be addressed to "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham", while the inner envelope can include the names of the children: "Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany, and Mx. Kelly".

It is important to remember that if you do not include the names of each child, it may imply that children are not invited to the wedding. However, some guests may still assume that their children are welcome, so it is a good idea to clarify through word-of-mouth or on your wedding website that the event is adults-only.

Children over 18 living with parents

When it comes to wedding invitation etiquette, children over the age of 18 who are living with their parents should be included on the inner envelope only and not the outer envelope. If you are using inner and outer envelopes in a formal capacity, the outer envelope should be reserved for the names of the parents or guardians.

On the inner envelope, you can include the names of any children over 18 who live with their parents. For example, if the parents are "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham", the inner envelope could read "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham, Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany and Mx. Kelly". Boys under 18 do not need a title, but for girls under 18, you can use "Miss" if you wish. For boys over 18, use "Mr." and for girls over 18, use "Ms.".

If you are using a single outer envelope in an informal capacity, the same rules apply: include the children's names on the inner envelope only. In this case, write the guest's complete and formal name and complete mailing address on the outer envelope.

If you are inviting children over 18 who do not live with their parents, they should each receive their own invitation.

How to address a family with children

When addressing a wedding invitation to a family with children, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to note that the outer envelope is reserved for the names of the parent(s) or guardian(s). You can use one of the following formats:

• "The [Family Name] Family"
• "Mr. and Mrs. [Father's First Name] [Family Name]"
• "Mr. [Father's First Name] [Father's Last Name] and Mrs. [Mother's First Name] [Mother's Last Name]"

If the parents do not share the same last name, you can address the invitation as:

"Mr. [Father's First Name] [Father's Last Name], Mrs. [Mother's First Name] [Mother's Last Name] & Family"

For a more informal approach, you can simply address the invitation to "The [Family Name] Family". This implies an open invitation to the entire family, including children.

When it comes to listing the children's names, this is typically done on the inner envelope. Here, you can list each child's name individually, with their ages indicated by the appropriate title. Boys under 18 do not need a title, while girls under 18 can be addressed as "Miss". For children over the age of 18, use "Mr." or "Ms." respectively. List the children's names from oldest to youngest. For example:

• "Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson" (outer envelope)
• "Alan, Emily, Roger, Chance, Miss Jennifer, and Miss Lily" (inner envelope)

If you are inviting children over the age of 18 who live with their parents, they should receive their own invitation. In this case, you can follow the same format as for adults, including their full name and mailing address.

Adding 'and guest' to the invitation

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few different ways to indicate that guests are invited to bring a plus-one. Here is a detailed guide on how to add "and guest" to your wedding invitations:

Formal Invitations with Inner and Outer Envelopes

The outer envelope should include the guest's complete and formal name along with their mailing address. The inner envelope is where you can include "and guest". For example, if the guest's name is Sam Li, the outer envelope would be addressed to "Mx. Sam Li", and the inner envelope would be addressed to "Sam Li and Guest". This way, you can maintain the formality of the outer envelope while still indicating that the guest is invited to bring someone.

Informal Invitations with a Single Outer Envelope

If you are using a single outer envelope, you can simply add "and guest" after the invitee's name. For example, "Mr. James Montgomery and guest". This method is more casual but still clearly communicates that the guest is invited to bring a plus-one.

Children as Guests

If you are inviting children to your wedding, the way you address the invitation depends on their age and whether they live with their parents. Children under 18 should be included under their parents' names on the inner envelope, listed from oldest to youngest. For girls under 18, you can use "Miss" as an honorific, and boys under 18 do not need a title. For children over 18 who live with their parents, they should receive their own invitation. In this case, you can use "Ms." for girls and "Mr." for boys.

Other Considerations

When addressing wedding invitations, it is important to consider the preferences of your guests. Some people may prefer to be addressed by their first and last name only, without any titles. It is always a good idea to double-check your guests' preferred titles and names before addressing the invitations. Additionally, if you are inviting a family with young children, you can address the outer envelope to "The [Family Name]" or "Mr. and Mrs. [Parents' Names]" and include the children's names on the inner envelope.

Frequently asked questions