Wedding Invitation Etiquette: Capitalizing Family And 'Is

When it comes to wedding invitations, the addressing of envelopes is an important aspect of wedding planning. While the task may seem straightforward, there are certain considerations to keep in mind, such as the level of formality, finalising the guest list, and the appropriate etiquette for titles and honorifics. One common question that arises is whether to capitalise and family on wedding invitations.

According to etiquette guidelines, it is generally recommended to use the full names of the recipients, including their official titles, when addressing wedding invitations. While titles like Mr., Mrs., Ms., and Jr. can be abbreviated, other titles like Doctor or Reverend should be spelled out in full.

When inviting a family with children, the formal addressing style would be to list the names of the parents on the first line, followed by the names of their children on the second line. For example, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony James on the first line, and Emma and Peter on the second line. If the children's names are unknown or you prefer a more concise approach, you can use and Family or and Children on the second line. However, it is generally advised to avoid using and family and instead list the children's names separately.

And family is not included in the outer envelope

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few different ways to address an envelope to a family. The outer envelope should include all of the information the postal service needs for delivery. The inner envelope should list the names of all the invitees at the address, including children.

If you are inviting the entire family, including children, to your wedding, you should write the parents' names on the first line of the address and the children's names underneath on the second line of the inner envelope.

If you are only inviting the parents, you should omit the children's names and only write the parents' names on the first line of the address on the inner envelope.

For the outer envelope, it is best to address it to the parents only. You can write the parents' names and titles, such as "Mr. and Mrs. Jones", or you can use both of their full names, such as "Tim and Janet Jones".

If you don't know the names of the children or you are not inviting them, you can simply write "and Family" or "and Children" on the second line of the inner envelope.

It is important to note that children over the age of 18 should receive their own invitation.

And guest is not capitalized

When it comes to wedding invitation etiquette, there are differing opinions and varying levels of importance placed on the capitalization of certain words and phrases. One such phrase that sparks debate is "and guest".

The majority opinion is that "guest" should not be capitalized when used in wedding invitations. This is because "guest" is not a proper noun or a name; it is simply a placeholder used when the name of the guest is unknown. For example, if you are inviting "Mr. Robert Smith" and they are bringing a guest, you would write "Mr. Robert Smith and guest". The guest here is not addressed by name because you do not know who they are. In this case, "guest" is not capitalized.

However, some people argue that when writing an address label, you would write "Mr. Robert Smith and Guest", with the "G" capitalized. This follows the same rules as book titles, where the first letter of each word is capitalized. Despite this, it is still more common to see "guest" written in lower case in this context.

It is worth noting that if you know the name of the guest, it is considered more personal and friendly to address them by name on the invitation rather than using "and guest". This makes them feel more included and welcome at the wedding.

In addition to the "and guest" debate, there are a few other capitalization rules to keep in mind for wedding invitations. Only the day of the week, month, and first letter of the year should be capitalized. The first letter of the reception line is sometimes capitalized, though this is not traditional. When writing out titles such as "Mister" and "Misses", they should be abbreviated to "Mr." and "Mrs.".

Formal addressing rules for wedding invitation envelopes

When addressing wedding invitation envelopes, it is important to follow certain rules and guidelines to ensure your invitations are both accurate and respectful. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:

Formal vs Informal Style

Firstly, consider the overall formality of your wedding event. The level of formality will influence the style of addressing. For a formal, black-tie affair, opt for a traditional and elegant addressing style, while a casual, laid-back wedding may call for a more relaxed approach.

Names and Titles

Use full names on the outer envelopes, avoiding nicknames or initials. For married couples, use appropriate social titles such as "Mr." and "Mrs.". When addressing unmarried couples living at the same address, write their names on separate lines without using the word "and". If a man has a suffix like "Jr." or "IV", include it after his name. For doctors or professionals, write out their full titles, such as "Doctor" or "Professor".

Address Format

Spell out all words in the address, including street names, city, and state names. For example, write "Street" instead of "St." and "Washington, District of Columbia" instead of "WA, DC". House numbers below twenty should also be spelled out.

Inner and Outer Envelopes

The outer envelope should include all the information needed for delivery, while the inner envelope contains the names of the invited guests, including children. If you are inviting a family with children, the formal addressing would be "Mr. and Mrs. Anthony James and Family". If the children's names are included, they should be listed under the parents' names, in order of age, with the oldest first. Children over 18 should receive their own invitation.

Return Address

The return address is typically printed on the envelope's back flap. While traditional etiquette called for blind embossing or colorless raised lettering, most couples now opt for printed addresses that match their invitations.

Guest Considerations

If your invitation includes a single guest with an unknown escort, the inner envelope can be addressed with your friend's name followed by "and guest". "Guest" should not be capitalised as it is not a proper noun.

Presentation

Finally, consider the presentation of your envelopes. You may choose to hire a professional calligrapher for a sophisticated touch, enlist a friend or family member with impeccable handwriting, or opt for custom-printed labels for a convenient and efficient solution.

How to address an envelope to a family

When addressing an envelope to a family, there are a few different ways to do so. Here are some guidelines to help you:

Using the Family Name

Write "The [Surname] Family" or "The [Plural Surname]" at the top of the address. This method is suitable for general communications but may not be ideal for formal invitations where it's important to specify the names of the invitees. For example, "The Jones Family" or "The Joneses" for a family with the surname Jones.

Using Specific Family Members' Names

Begin with the parents' names and titles, such as "Mr. and Mrs. Jones", "Mr. and Mrs. Tim Jones", or "Tim and Janet Jones". On the next line, list the names of any children under 18 who live as dependents, from oldest to youngest. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Jones" on the first line, followed by "Emma and Peter" on the second line.

Alternatively, you can write the parents' names followed by "and Family" or "and Children" if you don't know the names of the children or don't want to list them all. In this case, the address would look like "Mr. and Mrs. Jones" on the first line and "and Family" on the second line.

If the letter is not intended for the children, omit their names and only include the parents' names.

For children over 18, it is recommended to send separate invitations as a sign of respect for their adulthood.

Using an Inner and Outer Envelope

For formal invitations, such as wedding invitations, you can use an inner and outer envelope. Address the outer envelope to the parents only, using their names and titles as mentioned above. For the inner envelope, include the names of all invitees, with the parents' names on the first line and the children's names on the second line.

Other Considerations

When addressing envelopes, use full names and avoid abbreviations or initials for names. Write out professional titles, such as "Doctor" or "Professor", and use "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Ms.", and "Jr." in abbreviated form. Spell out all words in the address, including street names, city, and state.

Examples

• Formal Addressing: "Mr. and Mrs. Anthony James and Family"
• Informal Addressing: "Anthony and Sara James and Family"
• Using Inner and Outer Envelopes:

Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Anthony James"

Inner envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. James"

"Emma and Peter"

Inner and outer envelopes

Wedding invitations traditionally feature an inner and outer envelope. The outer envelope serves to protect the inner envelope from damage during delivery, and it is also used to address the recipients in a formal manner. This envelope is usually addressed only to the heads of the household. The inner envelope is more informal and includes the names of everyone invited to the wedding. Using two envelopes can help to clarify who is invited to the wedding, especially if you have an adults-only event.

When addressing the outer envelope, it is customary to use the recipient's full name and their personal title, such as Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss, Mx., Dr., Reverend, Lieutenant, or Judge. It is considered proper etiquette to write out titles in full, except for Mister and Misses, which are abbreviated to Mr. and Mrs. The outer envelope should also include the recipient's full address, with no abbreviations for directions, such as North or South.

The inner envelope is more informal, and you can choose to include personal titles, last names, or just first names. If children are invited, their names are usually listed on the inner envelope, with girls under 18 addressed as "Miss". Boys do not need a title until they are 16, at which point they can be addressed as "Mr.". If children are not invited, it is important to omit their names to make it clear that they are not included in the invitation.

When writing "and Guest" on the inner envelope, it is generally recommended not to capitalise the "g" as it is not a proper noun. However, opinions vary, and some people choose to capitalise "Guest" and "Family" when used in this context.

Frequently asked questions