Wedding Invitation Etiquette For Divorced Women: Name Placement

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to get the names of your guests right. This can be tricky when it comes to divorced women, as they may have reverted to their maiden name or kept their ex-husband's surname. The key thing to remember is to ask the individual which name she prefers. When addressing a divorced woman, do not use her former husband's name. Instead, use her first name and her preferred surname. For example, Ms. Valerie Warrington. If you're unsure whether she has a plus one, it is appropriate to include the wording and Guest.

How to address a divorced woman with children

When addressing a wedding invitation to a divorced woman with children, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use the woman's name, not her former husband's. Many women choose to keep their ex-husband's last name, while others revert to their maiden name. Therefore, it is a good idea to ask someone close to her which name she prefers.

Secondly, if you are including the names of her children on the invitation, the outer envelope is usually reserved for the parent's names, and each child's name is listed on the inner envelope. Boys aged 16 and above can be addressed as "Mr.", while girls under 18 can be addressed as "Miss" if you wish.

Outer envelope: "Ms. Maria Jones"

Inner envelope: "Ms. Jones, Roger, Miss Jennifer, and Mx. Kelly"

If you are inviting the whole family, you can address the outer envelope as "The Jones Family" or "Ms. Maria Jones and family".

It is also worth noting that if you do not include each child's name, it could be interpreted as children not being invited to the wedding. So, if you are unsure, it is best to ask the parent directly or include the children's names to avoid any confusion.

Finally, if the divorced woman has a new partner, you can include them on the invitation as well. Here is an example:

Outer envelope: "Ms. Maria Jones and Mr. Daniel Smith"

Inner envelope: "Ms. Jones, Mr. Smith, Roger, Miss Jennifer, and Mx. Kelly"

Divorced woman's name when she has reverted to her maiden name

When addressing a wedding invitation to a divorced woman who has reverted to her maiden name, there are a few etiquette guidelines to follow. Here are some detailed instructions to ensure the invitation is correctly formatted:

Outer Envelope:

Use "Ms." followed by the woman's first name and maiden name. For example: "Ms. Susan Hughes". This is the correct and respectful way to address a divorced woman who has resumed using her maiden name.

Inner Envelope:

For the inner envelope, you have a couple of options. You can simply use the woman's first name, for example: "Susan", or you can use "Ms." followed by her first name, such as: "Ms. Susan". This is a more informal setting, so using just the first name is also acceptable.

Formality and Tradition:

It is worth noting that traditional wedding invitation etiquette dictates that the bride's parents are named at the top of the invitation, even for very formal affairs. However, including the names of both sets of parents as hosts is also a gracious option. If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, their titles are optional.

Same-Sex Couples:

When addressing same-sex couples, the traditional rule of the woman's name first does not apply. The order of the names is not important, and you can choose whichever option sounds better. For example: "Emily and Zara" or "Zara and Emily".

Unmarried Couples:

If the woman is unmarried but living with her partner, her name should still be included on the invitation, and each name should have its own line. The person who is closest to the invitee should be listed first, or you can go in alphabetical order. For example: "Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez".

Dress Code:

The dress code can be included in the lower right corner of the invitation. If no dress code is specified, the invitation itself will indicate the expected attire. For example, a very fancy invitation may indicate a formal, black-tie affair, while a simpler invitation suggests a more casual dress code.

Plus-Ones:

If the divorced woman has been offered a plus-one, this can be indicated on the inner envelope only. For example: "Ms. Susan Hughes and Guest".

In conclusion, when addressing a wedding invitation to a divorced woman who has reverted to her maiden name, use "Ms." followed by her first name and maiden name on the outer envelope, and either her first name or "Ms." and her first name on the inner envelope. This ensures a respectful and properly formatted invitation.

Divorced woman's name when she has kept her ex-husband's name

When addressing a wedding invitation to a divorced woman who has kept her ex-husband's name, it is important to follow certain etiquette guidelines to ensure that the invitation is both respectful and proper. Here are some detailed instructions on how to write the divorced woman's name in this scenario:

Using Formal Titles

It is generally recommended to use the woman's formal title, such as "Ms." or "Mrs." followed by her full name, including her married surname. For example:

"Ms. Jane Doe" or "Mrs. Jane Doe".

Outer and Inner Envelopes

If you are using double envelopes (an outer and an inner envelope), the outer envelope should be more formal and include the woman's full name and title. On the inner envelope, you can simply refer to her using her title and last name. For example:

Outer envelope: "Ms. Jane Doe"

Inner envelope: "Ms. Doe".

Including a Guest

If the divorced woman is invited with a guest, you can indicate this on the inner envelope by writing "and Guest" in lowercase. For example:

"Ms. Jane Doe and Guest".

Married Couple with Same Last Name

If the divorced woman is now remarried and has a husband with the same last name, the outer envelope can include both their full names and titles. On the inner envelope, you can drop the first names. For example:

Outer envelope: "Mr. John Smith and Mrs. Jane Smith"

Inner envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Smith".

Married Couple with Different Last Names

If the divorced woman has remarried and taken a new last name, the outer envelope can include both their full names and titles, with the woman's name listed first. On the inner envelope, you can use their first names. For example:

Outer envelope: "Ms. Jane Doe and Mr. John Smith"

Inner envelope: "Jane and John".

Remember, it is always a good idea to double-check with someone close to the divorced woman to confirm which name and title she prefers to be addressed by. These guidelines will help you navigate the proper way to address wedding invitations to divorced women who have kept their ex-husband's name.

How to address a divorced woman with a plus-one

When addressing a wedding invitation to a divorced woman with a plus-one, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use the woman's preferred name and title. Many women keep their ex-husband's last name, while others revert to their maiden name. Therefore, it is advisable to ask someone close to her which name she prefers.

The outer envelope should be formal and include the recipient's full name and title. For a divorced woman with a plus-one, you can address the envelope as follows:

> Ms. [Divorced Woman's First Name] [Divorced Woman's Last Name]

> and Guest

If the divorced woman has a different last name from her plus-one and you are equally close to both guests, you can list their names separately, in alphabetical order:

> Ms. [Divorced Woman's First Name] [Divorced Woman's Last Name]

> and

> [Plus-One's First Name] [Plus-One's Last Name]

The inner envelope is more informal, and you have the option to use only the recipient's title and last name or their first name. For a divorced woman with a plus-one, you can use the following formats:

> Ms. [Divorced Woman's Last Name] and Guest

> or

> [Divorced Woman's First Name] and Guest

If the plus-one is someone you know, you can use their name instead of "Guest":

> Ms. [Divorced Woman's Last Name] and [Plus-One's First Name]

> or

> [Divorced Woman's First Name] and [Plus-One's First Name]

It is important to note that the use of "and Guest" is only appropriate if you are unsure of the plus-one's name. If you are inviting a specific person, it is more respectful to use their name.

How to address a divorced woman with a hyphenated name

When addressing a wedding invitation to a single woman, it is customary to use "Ms." if she is over 18 years old. If she is younger, "Miss" is the acceptable choice, and it should be spelled out rather than abbreviated as an initial. For example:

Outer envelope: "Ms. Stephanie Chen" or "Miss Stephanie Chen" (if she is younger than 18)

Inner envelope: "Ms. Chen" or "Stephanie"

If a woman has chosen to hyphenate her last name after marriage, the same etiquette rules apply. Here is an example of how to address a divorced woman with a hyphenated name:

Outer envelope: "Ms. Jane Smith-Jones"

Inner envelope: "Ms. Smith-Jones" or "Jane"

If you only know the woman's first name, it is acceptable to address her as "Ms." followed by her first name, or simply use her first name if the relationship is informal. However, if the relationship is business or formal, it is best to use "Ms." or "Ma'am" instead of her first name.

When addressing a divorced woman with a hyphenated name and children from the marriage, you can address the invitation to the entire household. Here is an example:

Outer envelope: "Ms. Jane Smith-Jones and Family"

Inner envelope: "Jane and Family" or "The Smith-Jones Family"

It is important to note that the inner envelope is more informal, so you have the option to leave out certain elements of the formal name format used on the outer envelope. You can choose to include personal titles and last names or use only first names, depending on the level of formality you prefer.

Frequently asked questions