The Art Of Addressing Wedding Invites: A Guide To Getting It Right

Wedding invitation envelopes can be a tricky task, but it's an important one to get right. The way you address your invites will depend on the formality of your wedding, the relationship status of your guests, and their titles or prefixes. Here's a quick guide to help you get started on addressing those envelopes!

First, it's essential to know that wedding invitations typically include an outer envelope and an inner envelope. The outer envelope is what gets stamped and addressed, while the inner envelope only includes the names of the invitees. The inner envelope is optional and can be omitted if desired.

When addressing a married couple with the same last name, traditionally, the man's full name is written out, with the titles Mr. and Mrs. included. For a more modern approach, you can include both first names. For same-sex couples, either name can go first.

If the couple has different last names, simply write out their full names with the appropriate titles. Their names can be on the same line or separate lines, depending on space. For unmarried couples living together, list both names on one or two lines, starting with the person you are closest to.

When inviting a single person, use the appropriate prefix or title, such as Mr. for men, Ms. for women over 18, and Miss for younger women. For non-binary individuals, the abbreviation Mx. is often used.

If you're inviting a family, you can address the outer envelope to the whole family or just the parents if you prefer. On the inner envelope, list the names of the invited family members, including children if they are invited.

Remember to use full names on the outer envelope and avoid nicknames or initials. Spell out all words in the address, including street names and state names.

How to address a wedding invitation to 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 things to keep in mind. Firstly, the outer envelope should include their full names, including their personal titles. For a heterosexual couple, use "Mr." for the husband and "Mrs." for the wife, followed by their first and last names. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren". For a same-sex couple, either name can go first. So, "Mr. and Mrs. Samantha Rivera" would be appropriate.

If the couple prefers a more modern approach, you can simply use their first and last names without titles. In this case, ensure you know each person's preferred name, as one person may have taken their spouse's name. For instance, "Thomas Warren and Michelle Warren".

The inner envelope is more informal, so you have some flexibility. You can use their full names and titles, as on the outer envelope, or you can use their first names only. For the example above, the inner envelope could be addressed as "Mr. and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle".

It's important to be mindful of the couple's preferences, especially if the wife has a strong aversion to having her name left out or lumped in with her husband's. In such cases, you can address the outer envelope as "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren", and the inner envelope as "Mr. Warren and Mrs. Warren".

Additionally, give yourself enough time to organize the guest list and confirm addresses and spellings. It's also a good idea to double-check any unique details before sending out the invitations.

How to address a wedding invitation to a married couple with different last names

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with different last names, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to use the correct titles and spell out their names in full. For a heterosexual couple, the outer envelope should have their names on the same line, with the woman's name first, followed by the man's name. If their combined names are too long to fit on one line, it is acceptable to list them separately. Here's an example:

"Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez"

If the couple is same-sex, either name can go first. You can also choose to forgo titles altogether and simply use their first and last names, especially if you're having a more casual wedding. Here's an example:

"Celine Elgin and Jacqueline Purcell"

For the inner envelope, you have a bit more flexibility. You can use their titles and last names or just their first names. Here are some options:

"Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez"

"Maria and David"

It's also worth noting that if the couple has different last names due to one spouse hyphenating their last name, the outer envelope can be addressed as such:

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

The inner envelope could then be:

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

Remember to double-check the preferred titles and spelling of your guests' names before addressing the invitations. This attention to detail will make your guests feel welcomed and respected.

How to address a wedding invitation to a single person

When addressing a wedding invitation to a single person, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use the person's preferred title. If you are unsure of their preferred title, it is best to forgo the title altogether and use only their name. The outer envelope should include the person's full name and their title, if you choose to include it. For a woman over the age of 18, "Ms." is generally used, while "Miss" is used for girls under 18. For men over the age of 18, the title "Mr." is used, while no title is necessary for boys under 18.

On the outer envelope: Ms. Ali Johnson

On the inner envelope: Ms. Johnson

If the single person you are inviting has a plus-one, you can simply add "and Guest" to the inner envelope. Here is an example:

On the outer envelope: Mx. Sam Li

On the inner envelope: Sam Li and Guest

It is also important to note that if you are addressing an envelope to someone with a distinguished title, such as a doctor, lawyer, judge, or military personnel, you should use their title on the wedding invitation envelope.

Additionally, when addressing wedding invitations, it is best to write out the person's full name rather than using nicknames or initials. The address should also be written out in full, spelling out words such as "Street" and "Apartment" instead of using abbreviations.

How to address a wedding invitation to a family

When addressing a wedding invitation to a family, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, decide whether you want to be specific about whom in the family is invited. If you don't want to specify, simply address the envelope to the whole family:

"The [Family Name]"

If you do want to be specific, write the names of each family member individually. Begin with the parent or parents' names, then list the invited children's names in order of age below. Girls under 18 should be addressed as "Miss". Here is an example:

"Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham

Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany and Mx. Kelly"

If the whole family is invited, use the family name or only the names of the parents on the outer envelope:

"The Abraham Family" or "Mr. & Mrs. Michael Abraham"

Then, on the inner envelope, list the first names of all invited family members:

"Michael, Sarah, Daniel, Jeffrey, Brittany, Kelly"

If you are only using an outer envelope, simply list the first and last names of the parents, followed by "and family":

"Mr. Michael Abraham and Mrs. Sarah Abraham and family"

How to address a wedding invitation to an unmarried couple

When addressing a wedding invitation to an unmarried couple, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to include both names on the invitation, either on one line or two separate lines, depending on length. The general format is to write "Ms. [Name of Person You Are Closest To] and Mr. [Name of Other Person]". If you know them both equally well, you can list their names alphabetically.

For example, if you are closer to a woman named Amanda Rhee and her partner is called Stanley Kim, the outer envelope could be addressed as "Ms. Amanda Rhee and Mr. Stanley Kim". The inner envelope would then be more informal, such as "Ms. Rhee and Mr. Kim" or "Amanda and Stanley".

If the unmarried couple has different last names, you would follow the same format but include their full names. For instance, "Ms. Kara Porter and Mr. Ed Parsons".

It's worth noting that some sources suggest a more contemporary approach, simply using the couple's first names, for example, "Ed and Kara".

Additionally, it's important to consider the titles you use. Traditionally, 'Ms.' is used by women regardless of their marital status, while 'Miss' is typically used for unmarried women under the age of 18. However, these days, you can go with whatever you and your guests prefer.

Frequently asked questions