Family-Style Wedding Invites: What You Need To Know

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few different ways to address a family, depending on the formality of the event and the couple's preferences. One option is to list the parents' names on the outer envelope, such as Mr. and Mrs. John Jones. If there are children in the family who are under 18, their names can be included on the inner envelope, like Mr. and Mrs. John Jones, Jack, Jane, and Julia. Alternatively, you can refer to the family as The Jones Family on the outer envelope and include the individual names on the inner envelope. For adult children over the age of 18, it is customary to send a separate invitation.

How to address the outer envelope for a family wedding invitation

When addressing the outer envelope for a family wedding invitation, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are some detailed instructions to help you get started:

• Use Formal Titles and Full Names: On the outer envelope, it is customary to use formal titles such as "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Miss", or "Ms." before the names of the invitees. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham" for a married couple.
• Address the Parents or Guardians: When inviting a family with children, the outer envelope should only include the names of the parents or guardians. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson".
• Specify Children's Names if Invited: If you are inviting specific children from the family, include their names on the outer envelope as well. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Max Carter, Mx. Daniel Carter, Miss Alex Carter".
• Use Appropriate Titles for Distinguished Guests: If any of the family members have distinguished titles, such as doctors, military personnel, or judges, use the appropriate titles in the address. For example, "Captain Jane and Captain Jonathan Kelly, US Navy".
• Be Mindful of Gender-Neutral Language: If you are inviting a non-binary guest, use the gender-neutral title "Mx." before their name. For example, "Mx. Sam Li".
• Consider Double Envelopes: While not necessary, you may choose to use an inner envelope in addition to the outer envelope. The inner envelope can include the names of the children or more informal names for the guests.
• Provide Clear Address Details: Ensure that you have the correct and complete address information, including the street name, city, state, and zip code. Avoid using abbreviations for a more formal look.

Remember to double-check all the names and addresses before sending out the invitations. This will help ensure that your invitations reach the intended recipients and set the right tone for your wedding celebrations.

How to address the inner envelope for a family wedding invitation

When addressing the inner envelope for a family wedding invitation, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the inner envelope is more informal than the outer envelope, so you have the option to leave out certain elements of the formal name format. You can include titles and last names or opt for a more casual approach by using first names only.

For a family with young children (under 18), the outer envelope is reserved for the parent(s) or guardian(s) names, while each child should be listed by name on the inner envelope. Girls under 18 can be addressed as "Miss", while boys don't need a title until they are 16, when they become "Mr". If you don't include the names of each child, it implies that children are not invited, although it's worth noting that some guests may still assume their kids are welcome.

• "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham, Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany, and Mx. Kelly"
• "Mr. Max Carter, Mrs. Natasha Carter, Mx. Daniel Carter, Miss Alex Carter, and Mr. Andrei Carter"
• "Mrs. Jackie White, Mrs. Cara White, Miss Danielle White, and Mr. Gabriel White"
• "Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson, Roger, Chance, Miss Jennifer, and Miss Lily"

How to word the host line for a family wedding invitation

The first line of most traditional wedding invites is where you mention the host. If the couple's families are contributing to the wedding, you can use a "together with their families" line as the host line. Here are some examples:

• "Together with their families..."
• "It is with joy that, together with their families..."
• "With the support of our families, we are excited to..."

If your invite has space, you can also include your parents' or stepparents' names. Mention them in a line below your host line to keep your invite streamlined.

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, you can skip the host line altogether or start the invitation wording with a warm and welcoming introduction, such as:

• "Together with full hearts"
• "With hearts full of love and joy"

If one set of parents is hosting, include their full names. If they have different last names, write "and" to join the two names. For example:

• "Mr. and Mrs. Christopher and Sarah Williams" (formal; includes both first names)
• "Christopher and Sarah Williams" (less formal)

If the couple's parents are divorced and you want to include both as hosts, include them all, but keep each parent on a separate line. If you're going to include the name of a stepparent, keep it on the same line as their partner. Here's an example:

> "Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory

>

> Mr. James Abner and Lydia Abner

>

> Mr. Harold and Jane Hyland

>

> invite you to the wedding of their children Amy Abner and Charles Hyland"

If both sets of parents are hosting, list the bride's parents' names at the top of the invite, then the groom's parents' names. For same-sex couples, list the names according to preference or in the order that looks best with the invitation design. For example:

• "Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hollis" (formal)
• "Aaron and Alisha Wong together with Adam and Beatrice Hollis" (less formal)

How to word the request line for a family wedding invitation

The request line of a wedding invitation is where you ask your guests to join you for your big day. This often goes on a separate line beneath the host line.

• "Request the honour of your presence"
• "Request the pleasure of your company"
• "Invite you to join them for their wedding day"
• "Would love you to celebrate with them"

You can tailor the request line to your and your partner's style and formality. For example, if requesting someone's presence feels too formal, try something more relaxed like "would love you to celebrate with us" instead.

If you are hosting the wedding together with both sets of parents, you can use "together with their families" as the host line. Here are some examples:

• "Together with their families..."
• "It is with joy that, together with their families..."
• "With the support of our families, we are excited to..."

You can also choose to include your parents' or stepparents' names. Mention them in a line below your host line to keep your invite streamlined.

How to address a family wedding invitation without inner envelopes

A family wedding invitation is used when the couple is hosting the wedding along with both sets of parents. Here is a guide on how to address a family wedding invitation without inner envelopes:

The Outer Envelope

The outer envelope is what is stamped and addressed. Traditionally, the man’s full name is written out, with the titles of “Mr. and Mrs.” included. For a same-sex couple, simply indicate the appropriate prefix in front of their names accordingly. For example:

• Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Clarke
• Mr. Jackson Clarke and Mrs. Mary Clarke
• Mrs. Shyan Walton and Mrs. Kiara Walton
• Mr. Denzel Grant and Mr. Francis Grant

If you are inviting a married couple with different last names, simply write out their full names with “Mr.. or “Mrs.. on the stationery. Either the man or woman can be mentioned first. For instance:

• Mrs. Gwyneth Brookes and Mr. Cyan Matthews
• Mr. Cyan Matthews and Mrs. Gwyneth Brookes

For married couples with the same last name, you can also opt to include both first names individually for a less traditional spin. For example:

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

If you are inviting a married couple where one person is a doctor, the order of addressing can vary depending on who is the doctor. In a heterosexual couple, if the woman is the doctor, her name should be listed with the title “Dr.. before her husband's full name. For example:

Dr. Sophie Peterson and Mr. Tyrone Peterson

The Inner Envelope

The inner envelope is optional and is used for indicating the guests addressed by the invitation. It usually includes a couple’s title with their respective last names. For example:

• Mr. and Mrs. Warren
• Thomas and Michelle

If you are inviting a family with children, the outer envelope is reserved for the name(s) of the parent(s) or guardian(s). You should list each child by name on the inner envelope. For girls under 18, you can use "Miss". For example:

• Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham
• Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham, Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany, and Mx. Kelly

If you are inviting a family that includes children who are 18 or older, they should each receive their own invitations (unless they're living at home with their parents). For example:

• Ms. Audrey Abraham
• Ms. Abraham

Additional Tips

• If you are inviting a widow, reach out to a family member and ask if she prefers to use her first name followed by her married last name or her husband’s full name.
• If you are inviting a married couple where both people are doctors, it is proper to use: "The Doctors".
• If you are inviting a couple with other distinguished titles, such as military personnel, judges, or lawyers, apply the same rules as for doctors.

Frequently asked questions