Etiquette For Writing Guest Names On Indian Wedding Invites

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that your guests know who is invited and to avoid any confusion. While the etiquette may seem complicated at first, following some simple rules can help you get it right. Here are some tips to guide you on how to write guest names on wedding invitations in India:

- Outer Envelope: On the outer envelope, write the full name and address of your guest(s). This is the envelope that will be visible to the mail carrier, so it should include the guest's name and their mailing address.

- Inner Envelope: The inner envelope can be more personal. Here, you can address the guests by their titles and last names or use their first names if you prefer a more informal approach.

- Guest Names: It is recommended to include the names of the guests on the wedding invitations to clarify who is invited. This is especially important if you are inviting families or couples, as it helps to avoid any assumptions about children or plus-ones being included.

- Titles and Suffixes: Use appropriate titles such as Mr., Mrs., Miss, or Ms. based on the age and marital status of your guests. Include suffixes like Jr. or III if applicable. In India, it is also common to use prefixes such as Shri for men and Smt. for women.

- Sequence of Names: In India, the sequence of names on the wedding invitation cards holds cultural significance. On the bride's invitation card, her name is typically placed before the groom's name, symbolizing her family's welcome of the groom. On the groom's invitation card, his name usually precedes the bride's, signifying his family's acceptance of the bride.

- Formality: Depending on the formality of your wedding, you can choose to use full names or just first names on the invitations. For a more casual wedding, using first names or first and last names without titles may be appropriate. However, for a formal wedding, using social titles (Mr., Mrs., Ms.) is generally advised.

- Plus-ones: If you are inviting single guests with a plus-one option, indicate this on the inner envelope by writing and guest or the name of their significant other if you know it.

How to address a married couple with the same last name

When addressing a married couple with the same last name, it is important to consider cultural and personal preferences. Here are some guidelines to follow:

Outer Envelope Addressing:

• For a heterosexual couple, the traditional format is "Mr. and Mrs. [Husband's First Name] [Shared Last Name]." However, this format may be considered outdated or insensitive by some, as it erases the wife's first name.
• A more modern and inclusive approach is to include both spouses' first names, such as "Mr. [Husband's First Name] and Mrs. [Wife's First Name] [Shared Last Name]."
• For same-sex married couples with the same last name, either name can go first. For example, "Mr. and Mr. [First Name] [Shared Last Name]" or "Mrs. and Mrs. [First Name] [Shared Last Name]."
• When in doubt, it is always best to ask the couple about their preferred format or use their first names if you are close to them.

Inner Envelope Addressing:

• For heterosexual couples, the inner envelope can be more informal. You can use their first names, such as " [Husband's First Name] and [Wife's First Name]."
• For same-sex couples, follow a similar format as the outer envelope or use their first names if a more casual tone is appropriate.

Additional Tips:

• When addressing the outer envelope, always write out full names and avoid using initials or abbreviations, except for standard honorifics like "Mr." and "Mrs."
• If the couple has children under the age of 18, you can include their names on the inner envelope, below their parents' names.
• If you are inviting a couple and you know they have children but do not want them at the wedding, it is advisable to clarify this with a separate note or by explicitly stating "Adult-only reception" on the invitation.
• When addressing the inner envelope, you can use last names only, especially if it is a less formal event. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. [Last Name]."
• If the wife has chosen to hyphenate her last name, include both last names in the address, such as "Mr. [Husband's First Name] [Husband's Last Name] and Mrs. [Wife's First Name] [Husband's Last Name]-[Wife's Last Name]."

How to address a married couple with different last names

When addressing a married couple with different last names, their names should be written on the same line with the woman's name first. If their combined names are too long to fit on one line, list them separately. Here are some examples:

Outer envelope: "Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez"

Inner envelope: "Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez" or "Maria and David"

If the woman has hyphenated her last name, the outer envelope could be addressed as: "Mr. Marcus Craft and Mr. Brian Crosby-Craft". The inner envelope could then be: "Mr. Craft and Mr. Crosby-Craft" or "Marcus and Brian".

If you are addressing a married couple where the woman has kept her maiden name, the format would be: "Ms. [woman's first name] [woman's last name] and Mr. [man's first name] [man's last name]".

How to address a married couple with one hyphenated last name

When addressing a married couple with one hyphenated last name, the standard etiquette is to list each person's name separately, joined by "and". The outer envelope, which will be seen by the mail carrier, should include titles and be written in a specific format:

> "Mr. Marcus Craft and Mr. Brian Crosby-Craft"

The inner envelope can be more informal and could be addressed as:

> "Mr. Craft and Mr. Crosby-Craft" or "Marcus and Brian"

If the couple has different last names, their names should be written on separate lines, with the woman's name first:

> "Mr. Stanley Kim

> Ms. Amanda Rhee"

It is important to use the correct titles when addressing wedding invitations, and to spell out full names and addresses to ensure formality and clarity.

How to address an unmarried couple

When addressing an unmarried couple in India, it is important to follow certain etiquette rules to ensure that the invitation is clear and respectful. Here are some guidelines to help you address wedding invitations to an unmarried couple:

Outer Envelope:

If the unmarried couple lives together, their names should be included on the same line, with the person you are closest to listed first. If you are equally close to both, you can go in alphabetical order by last name. Here is an example:

"Mr. Stanley Kim and Ms. Amanda Rhee"

If the unmarried couple does not live together, send a separate invitation to each guest.

Inner Envelope:

For the inner envelope, you have a couple of options. You can use courtesy titles and last names, or you can use only first names if you are very close to the couple. Here are some examples:

"Mr. Kim and Ms. Rhee" or "Stanley and Amanda"

General Guidelines:

• It is important to use the correct titles or prefixes when addressing wedding invitations. For unmarried women over 18, use "Ms." For unmarried men over 18, use "Mr."
• Avoid using nicknames or name abbreviations.
• If one person in the couple has a distinguished title, such as a doctor, lawyer, judge, or military personnel, it is proper etiquette to address them by that title. List the person with the distinguished title first, regardless of gender.
• When addressing envelopes, it is generally best to err on the side of formality, especially if you have older or more conservative guests. However, if you are having a casual wedding, you may be able to use a less formal approach, such as leaving off titles or using only first names.

How to address a single person

When addressing a single person on a wedding invitation in India, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are some guidelines to help you:

Use "Mr." for males over 18. For unmarried women over 30 or when unsure, use "Ms." Use "Miss" for single women and girls under 18. For medical doctors, spell out "Doctor" on the outer envelope and abbreviate it to "Dr." on the inner envelope. For other professionals such as judges or military officials, include their titles, e.g., "Lieutenant" or "The Honourable."

Name Placement:

The recipient's name should be written prominently in the centre of the outer envelope. For the inner envelope, drop the first name and use their title and last name. If you are using only one envelope, write each formal title and name on a separate line.

Plus Ones:

If you are inviting a single person and want to offer them a plus-one option, write "and guest" on the inner envelope. There is no need to include "and guest" on the outer envelope, as the invited party will see the plus-one option once they open the card.

Formality:

The use of proper social titles (Mr., Mrs., Ms.) is advised for formal weddings. However, for casual weddings, you may use first names or first and last names without titles, especially if the event is informal, like a backyard barbecue or picnic.

Outer envelope: "Mr. James Smith"

Inner envelope: "Mr. Smith" or "James"

If they have a professional title:

Outer envelope: "Dr. Priya Mehra"

Inner envelope: "Dr. Mehra" or "Priya"

For a casual wedding:

Outer envelope: "James Smith"

Inner envelope: "James"

Frequently asked questions