The Art Of Calligraphy: Mastering Fancy Wedding Envelope Addressing

Wedding envelopes are a chance to get creative and add a personal touch to your invitations. While the inner envelope is optional, the outer envelope is what is stamped and addressed, and there are a few rules to follow. The outer envelope is more formal, with guests' full names and titles (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr., etc.), while the inner envelope is more informal, with just first names or titles and last names. When addressing a married couple, you can use Mr. and Mrs. followed by the husband's first name and last name, or write out both first names individually for a less traditional spin. For unmarried couples, list both names on one or two lines, with the person you are closer to first. For single persons, use the appropriate prefix (Mr., Ms., or Mx.) followed by their full name. If you're inviting a family, you can either address the envelope to the whole family or list the children's names separately. It's also important to use current addresses and avoid abbreviations for a more formal look.

How to write guests' names and titles

Writing guests' names and titles on wedding envelopes can be a tricky task, but it's important to get it right as it sets the tone for your wedding and ensures your guests feel welcome. Here are some detailed instructions to help you navigate this process:

General Guidelines:

• It is recommended to use the appropriate social titles (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss, Mx., Dr., etc.) for a formal wedding.
• Guests' names should be written in full (given name and surname) on the envelope, while only the given name should be used on the invitation itself.
• Avoid using nicknames and always use guests' preferred names.
• Handwriting the envelopes is acceptable, especially if your writing is neat. Alternatively, you can print the addresses or hire a calligrapher for a professional look.
• Use black ink for the addresses to match the invitations.

Single Guests:

• For male guests over the age of 18, use "Mr." followed by their full name.
• For female guests over 18, use "Ms." followed by their full name.
• For non-binary guests, use the gender-neutral title "Mx." followed by their full name.
• If a single guest has a plus-one, include "and Guest" or the name of the plus-one if known.

Married Couples:

• For heterosexual couples with the same last name, use "Mr." and "Mrs." followed by the husband's full name. For same-sex couples, either name can go first.
• If the couple has different last names, write their full names with "Mr." or "Mrs." as appropriate. The order of the names depends on whom you are closer to or alphabetical order.
• If the wife has chosen to keep her maiden name, write her name first.

Unmarried Couples:

Include both names on one line or separate lines, depending on your preference. List the person you are closest to first or use alphabetical order.

Families with Children:

• Address the outer envelope only to the parents, and include the children's names on the inner envelope.
• For a formal approach, use "Master" for boys under 13 and "Miss" for girls and young women under 18.
• For contemporary style, simply use the family name, such as "The Fletchers."

Guests with Distinguished Titles:

• For doctors, use "Doctor" followed by their name.
• For military personnel, use their full rank followed by their full name.
• For government officials, use "The Honorable" followed by their name.
• For lawyers, use "Esq." after their name.
• Generally, list the person with the distinguished title first, followed by their partner.

How to address a single person with a plus one

When addressing a wedding invitation envelope to a single person with a plus one, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use the correct titles and names. For a woman, the traditional title is "Ms." regardless of her marital status, while for a man, the title is "Mr." if he is over 18. For the outer envelope, you should only write the name of the person you know. The outer envelope is more formal, so write the recipient's full name, including their title. For example, "Ms. Lillie Ellis" or "Mr. James Montgomery". The inner envelope is more informal, so you can be more casual and use their first name only. Here, you can indicate the plus one by writing "and guest". For example, "Lillie & guest" or "James and guest".

If you know the name of the plus one, it is more personal to include their name on the inner envelope. In this case, write the name of the person you know on the outer envelope and both names on the inner envelope. For example, "Outer envelope: Ms. Sophie Westbourne. Inner envelope: Sophie and Jack".

If you are inviting a single person with a plus one and want to use a more contemporary style, you can simply write their name without any titles or surnames. For example, "Outer envelope: Sophie Westbourne. Inner envelope: Sophie and guest".

It is also important to note that if you are handwriting the envelope, ensure your writing is neat. Alternatively, you can print the addresses or hire a calligrapher for a more professional look.

How to address a married couple

There are a few options for addressing a married couple on an envelope, depending on whether you want to use a traditional or contemporary style. Here are some examples to illustrate the different ways you can address a married couple:

Traditional Style:

• Mr. and Mrs. [Husband's First Name] [Last Name] (e.g., Mr. and Mrs. John Smith)
• Mr. and Mrs. [Last Name] (e.g., Mr. and Mrs. Smith)
• Mr. [Husband's First Name] [Last Name] and Mrs. [Wife's First Name] [Last Name] (e.g., Mr. John Smith and Mrs. Mary Smith)
• [Wife's First Name] [Wife's Maiden Name] and Mr. [Husband's First Name] [Husband's Last Name] (e.g., Mary Brown and Mr. John Smith)

Contemporary Style:

• [Husband's First Name] and [Wife's First Name] [Last Name] (e.g., John and Mary Smith)
• [Wife's First Name] and [Husband's First Name] [Last Name] (e.g., Mary and John Smith)
• [Wife's First Name] [Wife's Maiden Name] and [Husband's First Name] [Husband's Last Name] (e.g., Mary Brown and John Smith)

Formal Titles:

If one or both members of the couple have professional titles, such as Doctor, Judge, or Reverend, these can be included in the address. Here are some examples:

• Dr. [Name] and Dr. [Name] (e.g., Dr. John Smith and Dr. Mary Smith)
• The Reverend [Name] and Mrs. [Name] (e.g., The Reverend John Smith and Mrs. Mary Smith)
• Lieutenant [Name] and Mr. [Name] (e.g., Lieutenant Mary Smith and Mr. John Smith)

Inner Envelope:

If you are using both an outer and inner envelope for your invitations, the inner envelope can be more informal. You have the option to leave out one or two elements of the formal name format. For example:

• Mr. and Mrs. [Last Name] (e.g., Mr. and Mrs. Smith)
• [First Names] (e.g., John and Mary)

Address Format:

Regardless of the style you choose, the format for writing the address on the envelope remains the same. Here is the standard format:

• Couple's names (centred at the top)
• Street address or P.O. box
• City, state or province, and postal code

For example:

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

2044 Willowbend Rd.

Columbia, MO 65201

Return Address:

Don't forget to include your return address in the upper left corner of the envelope, in case the letter needs to be returned:

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

Now that you know the different ways to address a married couple, you can choose the style that best suits your preferences and the level of formality you wish to convey. Happy writing!

How to address an unmarried couple

When addressing an unmarried couple, it's important to include both names on the wedding envelope. Here are some guidelines to follow:

Outer Envelope:

The outer envelope should be more formal. List each name on a separate line, with the person you are closest to, or whom you know better, first. If you know the couple equally well, alphabetical order is a safe bet.

For example:

> Mr. Aaron Triguiero

> Mr. Gabriel Reyes

If you would like to go with a more contemporary style, you can simply use their first names:

> Ben & Sophie

Inner Envelope:

The inner envelope is more informal, so you have more flexibility. You can use personal titles and last names, or opt for a more casual approach with just first names.

For example, if you want to keep it formal:

> Mr. Triguiero

> Mr. Reyes

Or, for a more casual feel:

> Stanley

> Amanda

Other Tips:

• It's always a good idea to double-check each attendee's preferred personal titles, especially if you plan to incorporate them into the invitations.
• If you're sending invitations internationally, be sure to check the correct layout of the address.
• Handwriting envelopes is acceptable, but you can also hire a calligrapher for a professional look.

How to address a family with children

When addressing a family with children, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to decide whether you want to specify which family members are invited. If you want to be specific, write the names of each family member, starting with the parent(s) or guardian(s), followed by the invited children's names in order of age. Here is an example of how to address the outer and inner envelopes for a family with children under 18:

Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson"

Inner envelope: "Alan, Emily, Roger, Chance, Miss Jennifer, and Miss Lily"

If you do not want to call out specific family members, you can simply address the envelope to the entire family:

Outer envelope: "The Thompson Family"

If the whole family is invited, you can use the family name or the names of the parents on the outer envelope and list the first names of all invited family members on the inner envelope:

Outer envelope: "Mr. & Mrs. Alan Thompson"

Inner envelope: "Alan, Emily, Roger, and Chance"

When addressing female children under the age of 18, it is customary to use "Miss" as a title. Boys do not need a title until they are 16 years old, at which point they can be addressed as "Mr.". It is important to note that if you do not include each child's name, it may be interpreted as children not being invited. However, it is still possible that some guests might assume their children are welcome, so clear communication is essential.

Frequently asked questions