Military Wedding Guests: Addressing Invites With Ranks And Respect

When inviting members of the military to a wedding, it is important to address their rank and title correctly. This is a significant aspect of military wedding invitations and requires careful attention. The correct form of address differs depending on the rank and branch of the invitee, as well as whether they are active or retired. For example, if a retired lieutenant colonel of the US Army is invited, the invitation would be addressed to Lieutenant Colonel [Name] United States Army, Retired. When addressing active military personnel, the full rank and branch of service are included, e.g. First Lieutenant [Name], United States Marine Corps. It is also important to note that military titles should never be abbreviated.

Military titles should never be abbreviated

For example, if you are addressing a retired lieutenant colonel of the US Army, you would write: "Lieutenant Colonel Smith Johnson, United States Army, Retired". Note that the title and full name are written on the first line, with no comma, and the branch of service and "retired" note are on the second line, with a comma before "retired".

If you are addressing a couple where both partners are in active-duty military, you would write their ranks and full names, followed by their service designation. For example: "First Lieutenant Johnson Smith and Captain Jane Doe, United States Marine Corps".

It is also worth noting that, while titles should never be abbreviated, service designations can be abbreviated in certain contexts. For example, "USMC" can be used in place of "United States Marine Corps".

Finally, it is important to note that military titles should only be used if the wedding is a formal military wedding. If the couple is not choosing to include military insignia or traditions in their wedding, it may be more appropriate to simply address guests by their names, with "Mr." and "Mrs." If you are unsure, it is best to ask the couple how they would like their guests to be addressed.

Ranks of retired personnel are included

When inviting retired military personnel to a wedding, it is important to be aware of the proper way to address their ranks and titles. Here are some guidelines to follow:

Including Ranks of Retired Personnel

The inclusion of ranks for retired military personnel in wedding invitations is generally recommended, especially for those who have attained the ranks of Commander and Lieutenant Colonel. When including their titles, it is important to note their retired status. For example:

> Lieutenant Colonel Richard James Dixon, United States Air Force, Retired

Alternatively, if the retired officer's name is mentioned alongside their spouse, the branch of service is not mentioned. For example:

> Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs. Richard James Dixon

It is worth noting that military titles should never be abbreviated. For instance, write "Lieutenant Colonel" instead of "Lt. Col."

Addressing Envelopes

When addressing envelopes for wedding invitations, it is customary to use the full names of the invitees without abbreviating their titles. For example:

> Major and Mrs. Anthony Douglas Davis

However, for the inner envelope, abbreviations can be used:

> Major and Mrs. Davis

Seating Arrangements

When assigning seats at the wedding ceremony, it is customary to give preferential seating to high-ranking officials such as Generals and Admirals. They should be seated towards the front, just behind the immediate family members of the couple.

At the reception, it is recommended to have ""distinguished visitor" tables placed close to the table of the married couple. These tables are reserved for the highest-ranking military guests and their families or dates. From there, officers of the same rank are grouped together at the same tables.

Other Considerations

When addressing retired military personnel, it is important to consider their preferences and how they wish to be addressed. Some individuals may prefer to be addressed by their rank, especially in formal settings, while others may prefer to be referred to by their names without their military titles. It is always a good idea to ask the individuals directly or consult with someone close to them to ensure the appropriate form of address is used.

Full rank and name are written out first

When inviting military personnel to a wedding, it is important to adhere to certain protocols and guidelines. Here are some detailed instructions on how to address invitations when the full rank and name of the invitee are written out first:

Full Rank and Name:

The full rank and name of the invitee should be written out in the first line of the invitation. For example, if you are inviting a retired lieutenant colonel from the US Army named Smith Johnson, the first line of the invitation should read:

> Lieutenant Colonel Smith Johnson

Service Information:

The second line of the invitation should include the military branch and service information. For the aforementioned example, the second line would be:

> United States Army, Retired

Note that there should be no comma separating the rank, name, and service information. The only comma is placed before the word "Retired" in the second line.

Address Information:

The following lines should include the address information, ensuring that the full and correct address of the military base or the designated mailing address is provided.

Abbreviations:

It is important to note that the general consensus is to avoid abbreviating military titles and ranks in wedding invitations, as this may be considered disrespectful. However, some sources suggest that abbreviations are acceptable, especially for very lengthy and complex ranks, such as "Chief Aviation Electricians Mate".

Formality:

The decision to include full ranks and names in wedding invitations is often aligned with the level of formality intended for the wedding. A highly formal and traditional military wedding is more likely to require the use of full ranks and names.

Promotion Consideration:

In the case where the invitee is expecting a promotion around the time of the wedding, it is recommended to use their future or anticipated rank in the invitation. For instance, if a Second Lieutenant is expected to be promoted to First Lieutenant soon, the invitation can address them as such.

Consistency:

It is essential to maintain consistency throughout the invitation. If full ranks and names are used for some invitees, it is respectful to continue this format for all military invitees to avoid any potential offence.

Spouse Inclusion:

When inviting the spouse of a military member, the branch of service is typically not mentioned. For example:

> Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs. Richard James Dixon

Branch of service is included in the address

When inviting military personnel to your wedding, it is important to use their rank and branch of service in the invitation address correctly. This is a traditional and respectful way to recognise their service and role. Here is some guidance on how to do this:

For the address, you should include the service member's rank and branch of service. You can choose to use either the full rank or the abbreviated version. For example, you could address a person as "Captain (Branch of Service)" or "Capt. (Branch of Service)". It is customary to use the branch of service in the invitation address for members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force. This is a way to honour their specific branch and role within the military. The branch of service is an important part of a service member's identity and is often a source of pride.

• "Lieutenant Colonel Jane Doe, Army": In this example, "Lieutenant Colonel" is the rank, followed by the person's name, and then the branch of service, "Army".
• "Commander Robert Smith, Navy": Similarly, "Commander" is the rank, followed by the name, and then the branch, "Navy".
• "Major Sarah Johnson and Captain Daniel Johnson, Air Force": For couples, you can include both their ranks and the branch of service. In this instance, "Major" and "Captain" are the ranks, followed by their names, and then the branch, "Air Force".
• "Master Sergeant John Doe, Marine Corps": The format remains the same, with "Master Sergeant" as the rank and "Marine Corps" as the branch.

It is worth noting that you should maintain consistency in the format you choose across all invitations for a uniformed look. You can choose to use full ranks and branch names, or abbreviated ranks with branch abbreviations, but ensure you apply this consistently. Additionally, if you are unsure of an individual's rank, it is perfectly acceptable to omit it and simply use their name and branch of service, such as "Mr. John Doe, Air Force". This guide is meant to assist you in properly and respectfully addressing your military guests, adding a thoughtful touch to your wedding invitations.

Seating arrangements are determined by rank

Seating arrangements at military weddings are largely determined by rank. Military weddings are steeped in tradition and are a way to honour both the couple's marriage and their military service. Military titles should never be abbreviated, and it is important to address your guests by rank on invitations and seating arrangements.

When it comes to seating, high-ranking officials like generals and admirals should be given preferential seats. It is customary to seat commanding officers and their spouses towards the front, and military guests should be seated according to rank. At the ceremony, military members of higher rank, such as captains, admirals, and generals, will be given seats of honour just behind the couple's immediate family members.

At the reception, it is recommended to include "distinguished visitor" tables. These tables are placed close to the couple's table and include the highest-ranking service members and their families or dates. From there, officers of the same rank and their plus ones or families are grouped at the same tables. Each military branch has its own nuances when it comes to seating according to rank and status.

Frequently asked questions