Etiquette For Writing Guest Names On Wedding Invitations

Writing guest names on wedding invitations is an important step in the wedding planning process. It clarifies who is invited and ensures that your guests feel special and welcomed. The general rule is to use full names and appropriate titles (Mr., Mrs., Miss, Mx., Ms., Dr.) while also considering the formality of the event and your relationship with the guests. For married couples, use both names, and for unmarried couples, list each person on a separate line. When inviting a single guest with a plus one, add and guest after their name. Addressing families can be done by listing the family name or the parents' names, with children's names included on the inner envelope.

How to address a married couple with the same last name

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with the same last name, there are a few conventions to follow. Firstly, it is important to include the names of both members of the couple on the invitation, as this clarifies who is invited. The outer envelope should be formal and include the recipient's full name and their personal title. For a heterosexual couple, use "Mr." and "Mrs." and spell out the husband's full name, followed by the wife's first name and their shared last name. For example:

> "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren"

If the couple is same-sex, either name can go first. For instance:

> "Mr. and Mr. Thomas Warren"

> "Mrs. and Mrs. Thomas Warren"

Many modern women may prefer to have their names included separately rather than being addressed as "Mrs." with their husband's name. In this case, the outer envelope can be addressed as follows:

> "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren"

The inner envelope is more informal, and you have more flexibility with the format. You can include personal titles and last names or just use first names. Here are some examples:

> "Mr. and Mrs. Warren"

> "Thomas and Michelle"

> "Mr. Warren and Mrs. Warren"

> "Thomas and Michelle Warren"

It is also important to consider the level of formality you wish to convey and the preferences of your guests. While using titles and full names is traditional, you may choose to forgo titles and use only first and last names if this suits your wedding style and your guests' preferences. Additionally, always use your guests' preferred titles and double-check their names to avoid any misunderstandings or offence.

How to address a married couple with different last names

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with different last names, there are a few conventions to follow. Firstly, it is standard to put their names on the same line. It is also conventional to write the woman's name first, but if the combined names are too long, you can list them separately over two lines.

For a heterosexual couple, the outer envelope could be addressed as follows:

"Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez"

The inner envelope could be more informal, for example:

"Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez" or "Maria and David"

If the couple is same-sex, either name can go first. If one person in the couple has a distinguished title, such as a military rank or a medical degree, this should be included. For example, for a couple with one military member, the outer envelope could be addressed:

"Lieutenant Jonathan Kelly, US Navy and Mrs. Jane Kelly"

If both parties have distinguished titles, they can be listed in alphabetical order. For example:

"The Honorable Gina Rodriguez and Mx. Alice Rodriguez"

How to address a married couple with one hyphenated last name

When addressing a married couple with one hyphenated last name, the outer envelope should include both of their names, with the woman's name coming first. The woman's title should be "Ms." (unless you know she would prefer "Mrs."). The man's title is "Mr.". Here is an example:

> Mr. Michael Jones and Ms. Mary Smith-Jones

If the couple has the same last name, their titles and names should be combined:

> Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren

However, if the couple is sensitive to the woman's name being left out, you can write:

> Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren

For the inner envelope, you can use a more informal style. You can drop the titles and use their first names:

> Thomas and Michelle

Alternatively, you can keep the titles and drop their full names:

> Mr. and Mrs. Warren

If you are inviting a couple with different last names, write their names on the same line with the woman's name first. If the combined names are too long, list them separately:

> Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez

For the inner envelope, you can use their first names:

> Maria and David

If you are addressing a single female, use "Ms." if she is over 18, and "Miss" if she is younger. The title should be spelled out in full, not abbreviated. If she has been given a plus one, you can indicate this on the inner envelope:

> Outer envelope: Ms. Stephanie Chen

> Inner envelope: Ms. Chen and guest

For a single male, use "Mr." if he is over 18. If he is younger, no title is necessary. If he has been offered a plus one, indicate this on the inner envelope:

> Outer envelope: Mr. James Montgomery

> Inner envelope: Mr. Montgomery and guest

How to address an unmarried couple

When addressing an unmarried couple living at the same address, include both names on one line, listing the person closest to you first. If you know the couple equally well, place the names in alphabetical order.

• Contemporary: Ed and Kara
• Traditional: Mr Ed Parsons and Ms Kara Porter
• Contemporary: Carlos and Maria or Mr Carlos & Maria Hamilton
• Traditional: Mr and Mrs Hamilton or Mr & Mrs Carlos Hamilton

If the unmarried couple does not live together, they should receive separate invitations.

How to address a single person

When addressing a single person on a wedding invitation, it's important to use their full name and the appropriate honorific. For male guests, use "Mr." followed by their full name, regardless of their marital status. For female guests, the appropriate honorific depends on their marital status: use "Miss" for unmarried women, "Mrs." for married women (even if they use their maiden name), and "Ms." for unmarried or married women. If you are unsure of a woman's marital status, it is best to use "Ms." For non-binary guests, use the gender-neutral honorific "Mx."

It is also important to consider whether you are allowing single guests to bring a plus-one. If so, you can add "and guest" on the inner envelope or invitation following the invited individual's name. If you know the name of the plus-one, write their name under the name of the invited guest.

• Mr. Michael Rodriguez
• Ms. Stephanie Chen
• Mrs. Regina Rodriguez
• Mx. Taylor Johnson
• Mr. James Montgomery and guest
• Ms. Chen and guest

Frequently asked questions