Wedding Invitation Etiquette: Addressing Apartments

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to get the details right to ensure your guests feel welcome and respected. One such detail is including the correct address, including the apartment number. While it may seem like a small thing, incorrect or unclear addressing can annoy your guests. So, how should you go about it? The general consensus is to spell out apartment in full, rather than using Apt. or #. For example, 123 Main Street, Apartment 1, Anytown, New York, 00000. This is because abbreviations can slow down the processing time at the post office. However, some sources suggest using Unit as a cute shortcut, for example, 123 Main Street, Unit 1, Anytown, New York, 00000.

Spell out 'apartment' in full

When addressing wedding invitations, it is important to remember that this is the guests' first impression of your wedding. It is best to address the envelope by hand, or you can enlist the help of a professional calligrapher. If you are addressing an envelope to an apartment, the first line is reserved for the names of the guests, using their full, formal names (e.g. Abigail instead of Abby). The second line can be used for the second guest's name, or the street address or post office box. All words in the address should be spelled out, including single-digit street numbers. A sample address for an apartment would look like this:

Mr. and Mrs. John Doe

213 South Maple Street

Apartment 3

Chino, California 91710

If you are addressing an envelope to a building and an apartment, you may need to use two lines for the street address. A sample address to an apartment and building is as follows:

Mr. and Mrs. John Doe

213 South Maple Street

Building 4

Apartment 12

Chino, California 91710

You can also drop the zip code to its own line to make sure there is enough room for the state name.

Write out the apartment number

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to remember that the envelope is the first thing your guests will see, so it should reflect the formality of your wedding. Here are some tips for writing out the apartment number when addressing wedding invitations:

It is proper etiquette to write out the apartment number in full rather than using numerals or abbreviations. For example, "Apartment Fourteen" instead of "Apt. 14". This adds a touch of elegance and formality to your invitation.

Addressing an apartment number and building

If you need to include both an apartment number and a building number, you may need to use two lines for the address. Here is an example of how to format this:

> Mr. and Mrs. John Doe

> 213 South Maple Street

> Building 4, Apartment 12

> Chino, California 91710

Inner and outer envelopes

Traditionally, wedding invitations included an outer envelope for mailing and an inner envelope to keep the invitation clean and hold any enclosures. The outer envelope is addressed more formally, while the inner envelope may include only first names or familiar names. If you are using both inner and outer envelopes, the apartment number would typically go on the outer envelope, following the guidelines above.

Informal alternatives

If your wedding is more laid-back, you may choose to forgo some of the more formal etiquette rules. For example, you could drop the titles (Mr., Mrs., etc.) or use numerals for the apartment number to create a more casual tone. Ultimately, feel free to adjust the envelope to suit your personal style and the formality of your wedding.

Include the building number

When addressing a wedding invitation to someone who lives in an apartment, it's important to include all the relevant details to ensure the invitation arrives at the correct address. Here are some tips for including the building number:

Firstly, it's essential to write out the full address, including the building number, apartment number, street name, and city. An example of this would be: "Mr. and Mrs. John Doe, 213 South Maple Street, Building 4, Apartment 12, Chino, California, 91710". Using this format ensures that your invitation is delivered to the correct location and that your guests receive their invitation without any issues.

When including the building number, it's advisable to use two lines for the address. The first line can include the guests' names, such as "Mr. and Mrs. John Doe". The second line can then be dedicated to the street address, building number, and apartment number. This approach ensures that the information is clear and easy to read.

It's worth noting that traditional etiquette suggests using a formal tone when addressing wedding invitations. This means writing out numbers and avoiding abbreviations. For example, write "Apartment" instead of "Apt." and "Fourteenth Street" instead of "14th St.". However, if your wedding has a more casual vibe, you can choose to use abbreviations and a less formal tone.

In addition to the building number, don't forget to include other important details, such as the guests' full names and titles. For married couples, the traditional format is "Mr. and Mrs. [Husband's First and Last Name]". However, if the wife prefers to use her maiden name or the title "Ms.", this is also acceptable. For unmarried couples, it's common to list their names separately, with the woman's name first, followed by the man's name.

Remember, the most important thing is to include all the necessary information clearly and accurately. Proofread your invitations before sending them out to ensure that your guests receive their invitations without any issues.

Address to both members of a married couple

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple, there are a few general guidelines to follow. Firstly, it is recommended to put the couple's names on the same line. Secondly, if the couple has the same last name, you can use "Mr." and "Mrs." followed by the husband's first and last name. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren". If you want to address both partners equally, you can use both the husband's and wife's first and last names, such as "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren".

If the married couple has different last names, you can list either name first based on your preference, who you are closest to, or alphabetically. The "Mrs." title is traditionally used to indicate a married woman's marital status. For example, "Mrs. Leslie Knope and Mr. Ben Wyatt". If one partner has a hyphenated name, their name is listed last. Either "Ms." or "Mrs." can be used, for example, "Mr. Andy Dwyer and Ms. April Ludgate-Dwyer".

When addressing a married couple with one person holding a distinguished title, such as a judge, military personnel, or clergy, the title comes first, regardless of gender. For example, "Rabbi and Mrs. Richard Glass" or "The Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Mr. Martin David Ginsburg". If both partners have distinguished titles, the higher-ranking title should come first, and if they are of the same rank, the woman is traditionally listed first. For example, "Colonel Peter Jefferies and Reverend Margaret Jefferies".

For outer envelopes, use the formats provided above for each married-couple scenario. For inner envelopes, you can be less formal and have two options: titles and last names or first names only (if you are very close to the couple). Here are some examples of inner envelope addressing etiquette for married couples:

• For a couple with the same last name: "Mr. and Mrs. Belcher" or "Robert and Linda"
• For a couple with different last names: "Mrs. Knope and Mr. Wyatt" or "Leslie and Ben"
• For a couple with a hyphenated last name: "Mr. Dwyer and Ms. Ludgate-Dwyer" or "Andy and April"
• For a couple with a judge: "Judge Ginsburg and Mr. Ginsburg"
• For a couple with one distinguished title: "Rabbi and Mrs. Glass" or "Senator Warren and Mr. Mann"
• For a couple with two distinguished titles and the same last name: "The Lieutenants Peralta" or "Colonel and Reverend Jefferies"
• For a couple with two distinguished titles and different last names: "Captain Pierce and Major Houlihan"

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple, it is also important to ensure that you spell out all words in the address, including street names and numbers, city, and state names. Avoid using abbreviations and write out "Street", "Post Office Box", and "Apartment" in full.

Include the full address

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to include the full address and avoid using abbreviations. This means spelling out the full street name, such as "Street", "Avenue", or "Boulevard", rather than using abbreviations like "St.", "Ave.", or "Blvd... The same applies to city and state names; instead of "CA" or "TX", write out "California" and "Texas".

When including an apartment number in the address, ensure it is spelled out as "Apartment" followed by the number. For example, "Apartment 3" or "Apartment Fourteen". If the building also has a number, this should be included on a separate line, as in "Building 4, Apartment 12".

> Mr. and Mrs. John Doe

> 213 South Maple Street

> Apartment 3

> Chino, California 91710

Remember to always double-check the address and use the appropriate titles and formatting for each guest.

Frequently asked questions