Incorporating Po Box Addresses Elegantly In Wedding Invites

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to consider the formality level you wish to convey and to be precise with your guest list. The outer envelope is for mailing and includes the guest's name(s) and address, while the inner envelope contains the invitation suite and specifies who is invited. When writing a physical address, use full words with no abbreviations, e.g. Post Office Box instead of P.O. Box.

Spell out 'Post Office Box' in full

When writing a post office box address on a wedding invitation, it is best to spell out "Post Office Box" in full. This is the formal way to write an address on a wedding invitation.

The outer envelope is where you print the guest's physical address. This envelope is handled by the mail courier. You'll write the guests' names on the first line, including titles, first names, and last names (middle names are optional). You can abbreviate a title, but you should spell out the first names.

Next, write the physical address of the guests' home or post office box. Again, use full words here (no abbreviations). Write "Street" instead of "St.," "Road" instead of "Rd", and so on. The inner envelope contains the invitation suite, and each guest's name is printed on this envelope. Only titles and last names are needed here.

If you are using a single envelope, skip the post office line and send your wedding invitations directly to your guests' inboxes. Be sure to list every guest's name, including children, and those who live in different households. Include "and Guest" on the envelope for those who are allowed to bring a plus one.

Use full words for the rest of the address

When writing the address on a wedding invitation, it is important to write out all words in full. This means that instead of using "St.", "P.O. Box", and "Apt.", you should use "Street", "Post Office Box", and "Apartment". The same rule applies to city and state names; instead of abbreviations, write out the full name of the city and state. For example, instead of "St. Paul, MN", you would write "Saint Paul, Minnesota". House numbers smaller than twenty should also be written out in full. For example, instead of "16 Elm St.", you would write "Sixteen Elm Street".

Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham"

Inner envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham, Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany, and Mx. Kelly"

Outer envelope: "Ms. Celine Elgin and Ms. Jacqueline Purcell"

Inner envelope: "Celine Elgin and Jacqueline Purcell"

Outer envelope: "Lieutenant Jonathan Kelly, US Navy and Mrs. Jane Kelly"

Inner envelope: "Lieutenant Kelly, US Navy and Mrs. Kelly"

Outer envelope: "The Honorable Gina Rodriguez and Mx. Alice Rodriguez"

Inner envelope: "Judge Rodriguez and Mx. Rodriguez"

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

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

Write out house numbers under 20

When writing out a number, it is largely a matter of the writer's preference. However, there are a few rules to follow. Firstly, always spell out numbers that begin a sentence. For example, "Twenty-three hundred and sixty-one victims were hospitalized". Secondly, hyphenate all compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine. For example, "Forty-three people were injured". Thirdly, when using figures of four or more digits, use commas. For example, "1,054 people".

When addressing wedding invitations, it is important to write out all numbers under 20. For example, "16" would be written out as "Sixteen". This is because writing out the number in full adds a sense of formality to the invitation. It is also important to spell out all words in the address, including "Street" instead of "St.", "Post Office Box" instead of "P.O. Box", and "Apartment" instead of "Apt.".

Put the return address on the envelope's back flap

When it comes to wedding invitations, the return address is usually placed on the back flap of the outermost envelope. This is the traditional way to format the return address, and it serves two purposes: it tells guests where gifts and RSVPs should be mailed, and it provides an address for any undeliverable invitations to be returned to.

There are a few things to keep in mind when addressing the back flap of your wedding invitation envelopes. Firstly, it is recommended to use a clear and legible font or handwriting style. While calligraphy is a popular choice for wedding invitations, it is important to ensure that the writing is large enough to be read easily. You may also want to consider using a mix-and-match style, with calligraphy or a script font for the names and a block print for the address to ensure readability.

Another consideration is the colour of the ink. While the postal machines can read most colours, it is best to avoid red or white ink, as these can be harder for the machines to recognise. Instead, opt for darker inks such as charcoal, navy or black on light-coloured envelopes. It is also a good idea to use a slightly less contrasting colour for the return address to distinguish it from the guest address.

When formatting the return address, it is typical to include only the physical address without any names. However, if you wish to include names, it is recommended to use the following format:

[Name(s)]

[Address]

[City], [State] [Postal Code]

For example:

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Johnson

12 Park Lane

Mobile, Alabama 36695

Alternatively, if you prefer a more casual approach, you can use first names and omit the titles:

Kari and Bradley

23848 Dunmore Loop

Mobile, Alabama 36695

In terms of etiquette, it is worth noting that the return address on the outermost envelope is typically the only place where names are not included. On the response envelope, names should be included since the post office will deliver this back to you.

Finally, if you are concerned about the orientation of the envelope affecting the delivery, you can ask the postal workers to hand-stamp the invitations instead of putting them through the machine. This may involve an additional charge, but it can help ensure that your invitations are delivered correctly.

Order extra invitations to account for potential losses

When it comes to wedding invitations, it is always a good idea to order a few extra. This is to account for any potential losses or last-minute changes. Here are some reasons why ordering extra invitations is a wise decision:

Mistakes and Addressing Errors

It is common to make mistakes when addressing wedding invitations by hand. Extra invitations provide a solution for addressing errors, allowing you to correct them without delaying the sending of invitations.

Last-Minute Additions

Extra invitations can accommodate any last-minute additions to the guest list. This could include guests you may have initially forgotten or those added at the request of family members.

Damaged Mail

Sometimes, wedding invitations can get damaged or lost in the mail. Having extra invitations allows you to quickly send replacements without having to reorder, ensuring that all your guests receive their invitations on time.

Keepsakes and Mementos

Ordering extra invitations ensures that you have some left over as keepsakes or mementos. You may want to keep a few as souvenirs of your special day or give them to family members who may want them as well.

Flexibility

Extra invitations provide flexibility in case you want to invite more people at the last minute. This could be useful if you have a larger guest list or if you are unsure about the final count.

Peace of Mind

Ordering extra invitations gives you peace of mind and reduces stress. Knowing that you have a few spares can help you feel more confident and better prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.

When deciding how many extra invitations to order, consider factors such as the size of your guest list, the possibility of guests bringing unexpected companions, and any last-minute additions. It is generally recommended to order about 10% more invitations than your final guest count to account for these potential losses and changes. This will ensure that you have enough invitations for everyone and that your wedding planning remains on track!

Frequently asked questions