Addressing Wedding Invites: Handwritten Or Printed?

Wedding invitations are a time-consuming affair. From choosing the right design, colours, and wording to assembling the invites, there are several rules to follow. One of the most common questions asked by couples is whether wedding invitations need to be hand-addressed.

The answer is no. While it is a nice touch, it is not necessary. Couples can print guest address labels at home, buy pre-printed envelopes, or hire a local calligrapher to address the invitations.

Hand addressing vs printing

Wedding invitations can be a lot of work, and there are many rules of etiquette to consider. The good news is that hand addressing each envelope is not necessary. However, if you have nice handwriting, or know someone whose writing you like, you may choose to do so. If you decide to hand address your invitations, be sure to use ultra-fine point markers to avoid smudging or ink leaking through the envelope.

If you don't want to hand address your invitations, printing the addresses on envelopes is an easy and completely acceptable alternative. This option is especially useful if you have a large number of invitations to send out, as it will save time and avoid hand cramps! Printing is also a good option if you want to avoid the common pitfalls of printing at home, such as smeared ink, inconsistent and expensive ink cartridges, and having to hand-type each address.

If you want the look of hand-addressed envelopes without the fuss, consider hiring a local calligrapher or using a service that offers printed envelopes that look like they've been handwritten. These services allow you to choose the fonts, colours, and other design elements to match your invitations.

If you're short on time or prefer a more modern approach, you can also use address labels or stamps for the envelopes. However, it's recommended to avoid traditional envelope labels, as they can look like mass mailings or spam. Instead, consider using skinny wrap labels, which are designed specifically for weddings and events.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to hand address or print your wedding invitations comes down to personal preference and the amount of time and effort you want to invest.

Formal titles

When addressing wedding invitations, it is important to use the correct titles for your guests. This is a matter of etiquette and will help make your guests feel welcome and respected.

For a married couple with the same last name, the traditional format is "Mr. and Mrs. [Husband's Full Name]". For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren". If the couple is sensitive to the woman's name being left out, you can write "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren". On the inner envelope, you can simply write "Mr. and Mrs. Warren" or the first names of the couple.

For married couples with different last names, write their full names with "Mr." or "Mrs." on the outer envelope. Either name can come first. For instance, "Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez". On the inner envelope, you can use their first names or write "Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez".

In the case of a spouse with a hyphenated last name, the outer envelope can be addressed as "Mr. Marcus Craft and Mr. Brian Crosby-Craft". The inner envelope can then be more informal, such as "Marcus and Brian".

When addressing an unmarried couple, list both people's full names on one line on the outer envelope, with the appropriate titles. Start with the person you are closest to. For example, "Mr. Stanley Kim and Ms. Amanda Rhee". On the inner envelope, you can use their first names or write "Mr. Kim and Ms. Rhee".

For single female guests, use "Ms." if she is over 18, and "Miss" if she is under 18. For instance, "Ms. Stephanie Chen" or "Miss Stephanie Chen". If a single female guest has been given a plus one, you can indicate this on the inner envelope with "Ms. Chen and guest" or "Stephanie and guest".

Single male guests over the age of 18 should be addressed as "Mr.". For example, "Mr. James Montgomery". If a single male guest has been offered a plus one, reserve the "and guest" language for the inner envelope, such as "James and guest".

When addressing a married couple where one person is a doctor, spell out "Doctor" on the outer envelope and abbreviate it on the inner envelope. For instance, "Doctor Tami Takata and Ms. Christina Smith" on the outer envelope, and "Dr. Takata and Ms. Smith" on the inner envelope.

If both spouses are doctors, it is proper to use "The Doctors" on the outer envelope, such as "The Doctors Smith". On the inner envelope, you can write "The Doctors Smith" or use their first names.

For married couples with distinguished titles, such as military personnel, judges, or reverends, apply the same rules as for doctors. Whichever half of the couple "outranks" the other should be listed first, regardless of gender. For example, "The Honorable Josephine Wood and Mr. Jonathan Wood" or "Captains Josephine and Jonathan Wood, US Navy".

When addressing a widowed woman, it is common to use her married name, such as "Mrs. Sadie Schwartz". A divorced woman may use either "Mrs." or "Ms." depending on whether she goes by her married or maiden name.

Married couples with the same last name

When addressing wedding invitations to married couples with the same last name, there are a few options to consider. Here are some examples to guide you:

Outer Envelope:

• "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren"
• "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren"

Inner Envelope:

• "Mr. and Mrs. Warren"
• "Thomas and Michelle"
• "Mr. Warren and Mrs. Warren"

Variations:

• If the couple has the same last name but one spouse has chosen to hyphenate their last name, the invitation can be addressed as "Mr. Marcus Craft and Mr. Brian Crosby-Craft" on the outer envelope and "Mr. Craft and Mr. Crosby-Craft" or "Marcus and Brian" on the inner envelope.
• For same-sex couples with the same last name, either name can go first. For example, "Mrs. Shyan Walton and Mrs. Kiara Walton" or "Mrs. Kiara Walton and Mrs. Shyan Walton".

It is important to note that modern women may have a strong aversion to having their names left out or lumped in with their husbands' names. Therefore, it is always a good idea to double-check with the couple about their preferred format and honour their choice.

Married couples with different last names

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations, there are a few different options to consider. The traditional method involves hand addressing each envelope, which can be time-consuming but adds a nice personal touch. However, it is not necessary to handwrite the addresses, as printing the addresses on the envelopes is also acceptable. Hiring a calligrapher or using printed labels are also options to explore.

Now, let's focus on the specific scenario of addressing invitations to married couples with different last names. Here are some guidelines to follow:

• Outer envelope: On the outer envelope, the woman's name is typically written first, followed by the man's name, both on the same line. For example: "Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez". If their combined names are too long to fit on one line, you can list them separately.
• Inner envelope: For the inner envelope, you can use their first names or a combination of their titles and last names. For example: "Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez" or "Maria and David".
• Alphabetical order: If you are equally close to both spouses, you can arrange their names in alphabetical order, regardless of gender.
• Honoring preferences: Be mindful of the couple's preferences. Some women may prefer to have their names included with their spouse's, rather than being left out or lumped together.
• Modern approach: Feel free to forego titles and use only first and last names if it aligns with the couple's preferences and the overall tone of your wedding.

Remember, the key is to make your guests feel welcome and valued. Taking the time to properly address the invitations, regardless of the method you choose, will surely be appreciated by your guests.

Single guests

When addressing a wedding invitation to a single person, it's important to use their title and full name. Here's a breakdown of the format for different genders:

• For male guests, use "Mr." followed by their full name.
• For female guests, use "Ms." followed by their full name.
• For non-binary guests, use the abbreviation "Mx." followed by their full name.

If you're addressing a widowed woman, it's common to use her married name, but you can also ask for her preference. A divorced woman may use either "Mrs." or "Ms." depending on whether she uses her married or maiden name.

When it comes to titles, it's essential to use the guest's preferred title. If you're unsure, it's safer to forgo the title altogether. For invitations with a plus-one, mention both people by name if you have that information. If you're unsure about the plus-one's name or allowing a casual date, "and Guest" on the inner envelope is sufficient.

Example 1: Without a Plus-One

Outer envelope: "Ms. Ali Johnson"

Inner envelope: "Ms. Johnson"

Example 2: With a Plus-One

Outer envelope: "Mx. Sam Li"

Inner envelope: "Sam Li and Guest"

Example 3: Single Male Guest

Outer envelope: "Mr. James Montgomery"

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

If you're concerned about handwriting legibility or consistency, you have the option to hire a calligrapher or print the addresses on the envelopes.

Frequently asked questions