Writing Venue Addresses: Wedding Invitation Etiquette

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you're following proper etiquette. While the rules aren't overly complicated, it's important to get them right to make your guests feel welcome and ensure your special day goes smoothly. One common question that arises is how to write the venue address on the invitation. The good news is that you have some flexibility here. The street address of the venue is not always needed, especially if the wedding is held at the host's home or if omitting it would not cause confusion. In these cases, simply including the city and state may be sufficient. However, if there is room on the invitation or on a separate details card, you can include the full address to make it easy for your guests to find the location. It's also a good idea to have a wedding website with directions to the venue for those who need more guidance. Ultimately, the decision on how much of the venue address to include comes down to personal preference and the specifics of your wedding location.

Include the full address

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations, the outer envelope is typically more formal. A good rule of thumb is to write out the recipient's full name, including their personal title. This works for couples of all genders, whether they share a surname or not, and still feels traditional.

For a married couple with the same last name, use "Mr." and "Mrs." and spell out the husband's full name, followed by the wife's first name. For a same-sex couple, either name can go first. The outer envelope could read: "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren". If the couple would prefer that the wife's name is not left out, the outer envelope could instead be addressed to: "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren". The inner envelope could then be more informal: "Thomas and Michelle".

For a married 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. The outer envelope could be addressed to: "Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez". The inner envelope could then be less formal: "Maria and David".

If you are inviting a couple who are unmarried but live at the same address, their names should be included on the same line. List the person you are closest with first. The outer envelope could be addressed to: "Mr. Stanley Kim and Ms. Amanda Rhee". The inner envelope could be less formal: "Stanley and Amanda".

If you are inviting a single female, use "Ms." if she is over 18, or "Miss" if she is younger. The outer envelope could be addressed to: "Ms. Stephanie Chen" or "Miss Stephanie Chen". If she has been given a plus one, reserve "and guest" for the inner envelope only. The inner envelope could be: "Ms. Chen and guest" or "Stephanie and guest".

For a single male, use "Mr." if he is over 18. Otherwise, no title is necessary. The outer envelope could be addressed to: "Mr. James Montgomery". If he has been offered a plus one, the outer envelope remains the same, and the inner envelope could be: "James and guest".

Omit the zip code

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are many different elements to consider, from the wording to the format and, of course, the address. While it's essential to include the venue address to guide your guests to the right location, there are a few things you can omit, such as the zip code. Here are some instructive guidelines and suggestions for excluding the zip code from your wedding invitations:

The zip code is not always necessary on a wedding invitation, especially if your wedding is held in an urban area or a well-known location. Omitting the zip code can help streamline the address and give your invitation a cleaner, more elegant look. It also ensures that your invitation fits within the available space, avoiding a cluttered appearance. This approach is particularly useful when you have a long venue name or street address.

Provide Only the Essential Details:

When writing the venue address, focus on providing the essential information your guests need to find the location. Include the venue's name, street address, city, and state. This combination will adequately guide your guests without the need for the zip code.

Maintain a Consistent Level of Formality:

If you're going for a formal invitation style, ensure that you maintain the same level of formality throughout. Write out the city and state in full instead of using abbreviations. For example, write "New York" instead of "NY." This approach adds a touch of elegance and ensures your invitation adheres to formal standards.

Consider the Layout and Design:

Think about the overall layout and design of your invitation. By omitting the zip code, you create a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing appearance. This is especially beneficial if you have a detailed or intricate invitation design. It allows other elements, such as decorative borders or illustrations, to shine without appearing cramped.

Include an Accommodations or Details Card:

If you're concerned about providing adequate information for your guests, consider including a separate accommodations or details card along with your invitation. This card can include the full address, including the zip code, and any other relevant information, such as directions or nearby landmarks. This approach ensures your guests have all the details they need while keeping your invitation concise and elegant.

Provide Additional Information on Your Wedding Website:

In today's digital age, many couples choose to create a wedding website. This website can be a valuable resource for your guests, providing them with all the information they need to attend your wedding. Include the website address on your invitation, and guests can easily access details such as the full venue address, directions, accommodation options, and any other pertinent information.

Remember, the key is to provide clear and concise information while also maintaining the style and elegance of your wedding invitations. By omitting the zip code and following these suggestions, you can achieve a polished and informative invitation that your guests will appreciate.

Use the full, formal name of the venue

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few different approaches you can take when addressing the venue. Here are some tips and examples to help you use the full, formal name of the venue:

Include the Full Address: You can include the full address of the venue on the invitation, such as the venue name, street address, city, and state. However, some couples choose to omit the zip code to maintain a neater appearance.

Example:

"The Grand Ballroom, 123 Main Street, Anytown, USA"

• Separate Accommodation Card: If you have a separate accommodations card, you can include the full address of the venue on that card, along with additional details such as driving directions. This helps to keep the invitation uncluttered while still providing all the necessary information.
• Formality: Using the full, formal name of the venue is often associated with more formal wedding invitations. If you're having a formal or traditional wedding, including the full venue address can add to the elegance of your invitations.

Example:

"The Windsor Castle,

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead,

Berkshire, England"

Venue as a Landmark: If your venue is a well-known landmark, using its full, formal name can add a touch of grandeur to your invitations. Be sure to include the city and state to avoid any confusion with similarly named locations.

Example:

"The Metropolitan Museum of Art,

1000 Fifth Avenue,

New York, NY"

Consistency with Theme: Consider the overall theme and style of your wedding when deciding how to address the venue. If you're going for a formal, traditional, or elegant theme, using the full, formal name of the venue can enhance the tone of your invitations.

In conclusion, when using the full, formal name of the venue on your wedding invitations, consider including the full address or providing it on a separate accommodations card. This approach is well-suited for formal and traditional weddings, especially if your venue is a well-known landmark. Remember to be mindful of the overall theme and style of your wedding when making your decision.

Write out the full state name

When writing out the address on your wedding invitations, it is best to write out the full state name. This is because writing out the full state name is more formal and traditional. For example, you would write \"Saint Paul, Minnesota\" instead of \"St. Paul, MN\".

However, there is a loophole to this rule. If you are going for a very modern design with large and loud typography, geometric or patterned designs, or a fun and unique shape, then you can abbreviate the state name. This loophole also applies to very informal weddings.

Some people have concerns about whether or not writing out the full state name will cause issues with the postal service. Some people have reported that their invitations with the full state name written out were delivered without any issues. However, others have said that they had issues with the postal service and their invitations getting pulled and hand-sorted when they did not use the state abbreviation codes.

If you are concerned about potential issues with the postal service, it is recommended to check with your local post office to see if they have any specific requirements or preferences regarding the format of the address. Ultimately, the decision of whether to write out the full state name or use the abbreviation is up to you and the style of your wedding invitations.

Include a map or directions

Including a map or directions with your wedding invitations is a thoughtful touch, especially for guests travelling from out of town. Here are some ways to do this:

Hiring a Designer

If you have the budget, hiring a designer to create your invitations and maps is an option. While this is the most expensive option, it will save you time and effort.

DIY Maps

If you're tech-savvy, you can create your own map by using online tools and programs. Here are some suggestions:

• Use Google Maps to search for your wedding location and adjust the zoom to get the desired level of detail. Use the "Snipping Tool" to select and save the image as a JPEG. You can then insert this into your invitation layout.
• Use Google Maps or another online map service to get a view of the area. Use the "Get Directions" feature to get an accurate, close-up version of the route from the ceremony to the reception location. Take a screenshot and paste it into a photo editing program like Microsoft PowerPoint or MS Paint. You can then trace over major roads and interstates with drawing tools, add labels, and play with thickness/colour/style to differentiate between roads, rivers, etc.
• Take a screenshot of the map from MapQuest, insert it into PowerPoint, and use the drawing tools to trace over the main streets/intersections. Delete the screenshot once you've traced the key features.
• Use WeddingMapper or WeddingBee to create your own map insert.
• Get a Google Maps printout or a paper map, then trace a simple map of your location. Place tracing paper over the area and use markers of varying widths to indicate freeways and smaller streets. Scan the map into your computer and adjust as needed.

Map Inserts

If you don't want to include a full map, you can add a map insert with close-ups of the roads near the ceremony and reception locations. Use the same methods as above to create a smaller map that focuses on these specific areas.

Additional Tips:

• You can add graphics to your map by searching for "Free Chapel Clipart" or "Free Wedding Bells Clipart" and inserting these into your map.
• To export your DIY map, save it as a high-resolution JPEG or PNG, or download CutePDF to print the map to PDF.
• If your wedding website includes directions, you may choose to only include the venue name and city/state on the invitation, with the full address on the website.

Frequently asked questions