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Wedding invitation envelopes can include an inner and outer envelope, but an inner envelope is optional. The outer envelope is stamped and addressed, while the inner envelope contains the names of the invitees and holds the invitation inside. The inner envelope is more informal, giving you the option to leave out one or two elements of the formal name format of the outer envelope. For example, you can use personal titles and last names, first names only, or a combination of both.
What You'll Learn
Single people with a plus one
When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to consider the relationship status of your guests, their honorific titles, and whether they're receiving a plus one. Here are some guidelines for addressing single people with a plus one:
Outer Envelope Etiquette:
On the outer envelope, use the guest's preferred title and full name, followed by "& Guest" or "and guest". This indicates that they are invited with a plus one. Here are some examples:
- Mr. Tyler Morris & Guest
- Ms. Stephanie Chen & Guest
- Mr. James Montgomery & Guest
Inner Envelope Etiquette:
The inner envelope is more informal, so you have the option to use only the guest's title and last name, or their first name. You can also include their plus one here by writing "and guest". Here are some examples:
- Mr. Morris and guest
- Ms. Chen and guest
- James and guest
General Tips:
- It's important to use the correct titles for your guests, such as "Mr.", "Ms.", or "Mx." for non-binary guests.
- If you don't know the name of the plus one, it's perfectly acceptable to use "and guest" on both the outer and inner envelopes.
- The outer envelope is more formal and is used for mailing, while the inner envelope is optional and only includes the names of the invitees.
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Married couples with the same last name
When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to follow certain etiquette to ensure clarity and respect for your guests. Here are some guidelines for addressing inner envelopes to married couples with the same last name:
Formal Addressing:
On the inner envelope, you can address the couple using their titles and last name. For example:
"Mr. and Mrs. Rivera"
Informal Addressing:
If you prefer a less formal approach, you can address the couple using their first names only. For instance:
"John and Samantha"
Heterosexual Couple:
Traditionally, the man's full name is written out, along with the titles "Mr." and "Mrs." For example:
"Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Clarke"
Same-Sex Couple:
For same-sex married couples with the same last name, you can follow a similar format. Simply indicate the appropriate prefix before their names:
- "Mrs. Shyan Walton and Mrs. Kiara Walton"
- "Mr. Denzel Grant and Mr. Francis Grant"
Sensitivity to Gender Norms:
Some modern women may prefer to have their names included instead of being lumped in with their husbands. In such cases, you can address the couple as:
"Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren"
Alphabetical Order:
When addressing same-sex couples, you can arrange their names alphabetically based on their first names. This is especially useful if you are equally close to both individuals. For example:
"Mrs. Margarette Hyde and Mrs. Kayla Cruz"
Including Nicknames:
If you are close to the couple and want to add a personal touch, you can include nicknames on the inner envelope. For instance:
"Aunt Martha and Uncle Bill"
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Married couples with different surnames
When addressing wedding invitations to married couples with different surnames, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are some guidelines to help you with the wording and format:
Outer Envelope Etiquette:
The outer envelope is the one that will be stamped and addressed to the couple. Here are some tips for addressing this envelope:
- Write out the full names of both spouses, including their titles ("Mr.", "Mrs.", "Ms.", etc.).
- The woman's name can come first, followed by the man's name, or you can go in alphabetical order if you are equally close to both of them.
- If the combined names are too long to fit on one line, list them separately.
- For a less traditional approach, you can choose to forgo titles and use only first and last names. This is a more modern option that gives you flexibility.
Examples:
- "Mrs. Gwyneth Brookes and Mr. Cyan Matthews"
- "Mr. Cyan Matthews and Mrs. Gwyneth Brookes"
- "Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez"
Inner Envelope Etiquette:
The inner envelope goes inside the outer envelope and includes the names of the invitees. This envelope is more informal, and you have a bit more flexibility with the wording. Here are some suggestions:
- Use titles and last names only. For example, "Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez".
- Use first names only. For example, "Maria and David".
- If you want to be more casual, you can use nicknames or terms of endearment that you usually call the couple.
Examples:
- "Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez"
- "Maria and David"
- "Aunt Martha and Uncle Bill" (for close family)
Remember to double-check the spelling of your guests' names and their preferences for titles before finalising the envelopes.
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Unmarried couples living together
When addressing an envelope to an unmarried couple who are living together, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to write their names independently on two lines without using the word "and". This is the secret cue that they are not married. For example, for a couple with the same last name:
Outer envelope: Mr. Aaron Triguiero / Mr. Gabriel Reyes
Inner envelope: Mr. Triguiero / Mr. Reyes
Or
Outer envelope: Mr. Aaron Triguiero / Mr. Gabriel Reyes
Inner envelope: Aaron / Gabriel
If the unmarried couple has different last names, the format is slightly different. In this case, you would write their names on the same line, with the person you are closest with or the person whose name is first alphabetically coming first. For example:
Outer envelope: Ms. Lisa Rodriguez & Mr. Michael Smith
Inner envelope: Ms. Rodriguez & Mr. Smith
Or
Outer envelope: Ms. Lisa Rodriguez & Mr. Michael Smith
Inner envelope: Lisa & Michael
It's worth noting that some modern couples may prefer to use "and" to indicate a committed union, in which case you would write their names on the same line, in alphabetical order by last name. For example:
Outer envelope: Ms. Lisa Rodriguez & Mr. Michael Smith
Inner envelope: Ms. Rodriguez and Mr. Smith
Or
Outer envelope: Ms. Lisa Rodriguez & Mr. Michael Smith
Inner envelope: Lisa and Michael
In terms of titles, "Mr." is used for unmarried men, while "Ms." is typically used for unmarried women. However, some women may prefer to use "Miss" if they are under the age of 18. It's always a good idea to double-check with your guests about their preferred titles before addressing the envelopes.
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Families with children
When addressing wedding invitations to families with children, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to decide whether you want to be specific about which family members are invited. If you want to keep it general, you can simply address the envelope to the whole family or include "and family" or "and children" after the parents' names. For example:
> The Johnson Family
>
> Mr. and Mrs. Johnson and family
>
> Mr. and Mrs. Johnson and children
If you want to be specific about which family members are invited, list the names of each family member, starting with the parents. Female children under the age of 18 can be addressed as "Miss". Here is an example:
> Mr. and Mrs. Johnson
>
> Daniel Johnson
>
> Miss Emily Johnson
>
> Miss Sophia Johnson
Alternatively, you can use first names for the children:
> Mr. and Mrs. Johnson
>
> Daniel
>
> Miss Emily
>
> Miss Sophia
If the whole family is invited, you can use the family name or the names of the parents on the outer envelope:
> The Johnson Family
>
> Mr. and Mrs. Johnson
Then, on the inner envelope, list the first names of all invited family members:
> Mr. and Mrs. Johnson
>
> Daniel, Emily, and Sophia
If you are using only one envelope, you can specify that children are invited by writing their names below the names of their parents:
> Mr. and Mrs. Johnson
>
> Daniel Johnson
>
> Miss Emily Johnson
>
> Miss Sophia Johnson
Remember to double-check the spelling of your guests' names and the correctness of their addresses before sending out the invitations.
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Frequently asked questions
The inner envelope is more informal, so you can use their first names or a combination of titles and last names. For example, "Thomas and Michelle" or "Mr. and Mrs. Warren".
You can write their first names or use a combination of titles and last names. For example, "Maria and David" or "Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez".
If you know the name of the plus one, write the guest's name and "and guest". If not, simply write the guest's name and "and guest". For example, "Ms. Chen and guest" or "Stephanie and guest".
You can write their first names or use a combination of titles and last names. For example, "Stanley and Amanda" or "Mr. Kim and Ms. Rhee".
