Rhiannon Hendricks
Wedding invitations 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 the invitation itself. The outer envelope includes the guest's name(s) and address. The inner envelope is more informal and is used to clarify who else is invited, such as plus ones or children.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Envelope type | Inner, Outer, Double, Single |
| Number of envelopes | 1, 2 |
| Envelope format | Formal, Informal, Casual |
| Envelope content | Guest name(s), Guest title(s), Guest address |
| Guest title | Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss, Mx., Dr., Esq., The Honorable, Captain, Lieutenant, Judge, Rabbi, Reverend, Military ranks |
| Guest name format | Full name, First name only, Abbreviations |
| Guest address format | Full address, Abbreviations |
What You'll Learn
Outer envelope address format
The outer envelope is the envelope that is stamped and addressed, while the inner envelope contains the names of the invitees and the invitation itself. The outer envelope should be formal and include the recipient's full name and their personal title. This format works for couples of all genders, whether or not they share a surname. For example, for a heterosexual married couple with the same last name, you would write:
> Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren
For a same-sex married couple with the same last name, you can write:
> Mrs. Shyan Walton and Mrs. Kiara Walton
If the couple has different last names, simply write out their full names with "Mr." or "Mrs." on the stationery. For example:
> Mrs. Gwyneth Brookes and Mr. Cyan Matthews
If you are inviting a single person, use the appropriate prefix in addressing your guest. 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. For example:
> Mr. James Montgomery
> Ms. Stephanie Chen
> Mx. Sam Li
If you are inviting a single person with a plus one, include "and Guest" or "& Guest" following the full name of the invitee. For example:
> Mr. Tyler Morris & Guest
If you are inviting an unmarried couple that lives together, include the full names of each guest on one or two lines, with the appropriate titles placed. For example:
> Ms. Alysson Schulz and Mr. Ricardo Gonzales
If you are inviting an engaged couple, you can address them as unmarried or as future newlyweds. For example:
> Mr. Luis Smith and Ms. May Hyde
> The Future Mr. Luis Smith and Mrs. May Smith
If you are inviting a family, you can address the envelope to the whole family or include "and children" following the names of the married couple. For example:
> The Carter Family
> Mr. Max Carter and Mrs. Natasha Carter & Children
If you want to be specific about which family members are invited, list their names separately in order of birth after addressing their parents. For example:
> Mr. Max Carter and Mrs. Natasha Carter
> Mx. Daniel Carter
> Miss Alex Carter
> Mr. Andrei Carter
Same-sex families should follow the same format. For example:
> Mrs. Jackie White and Mrs. Cara White & Children
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Inner envelope address format
The inner envelope is smaller than the outer envelope and has traditionally been marked only by the titles and last names of the guests. 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.
Married Couple (Same Last Name)
- Formal: Mr. and Mrs. [Last Name]
- Contemporary: [First names]
Married Couple (Different Last Names)
- Formal: Ms. [First Name] and Mr. [Last Name]
- Contemporary: [First names]
Single Woman
- Formal: Miss [Last Name] and [Guest Name] (only if you do not know the name of the guest, write "and guest")
- Contemporary: [First name]
Single Man
- Formal: Mr. [Last Name]
- Contemporary: [First name]
Unmarried Couple (at the same address)
- Formal: Ms. [First Name] and Mr. [Last Name]
- Contemporary: [First names]
Judge (Single)
Judge [Last Name]
Judge (Married)
Judge [Last Name] and Mrs. [Last Name]
Doctor (Medical) (Single)
Doctor [Last Name] and Guest
Doctor (Medical) (Married)
Doctor and Mrs. [Last Name]
Doctor (PhD) (Single)
Dr. [First Name] [Last Name] and Guest
Doctor (PhD) (Married)
Dr. and Mrs. [Last Name]
Married Woman Doctor
Doctor [First Name] [Last Name] Mr. [Spouse Name]
Married Couple, Both Doctors
The Doctors [Last Name]
Clergy
The Reverend [Last Name]
Officer- Male, active or retired duty
Captain and Mrs. [Last Name]
Officer- Female, active or retired duty
Captain [First Name] Mr. [Last Name]
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Addressing a married couple
When addressing a married couple on a wedding invitation, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to use the correct titles and names, and to consider whether the couple has the same or different last names.
For a heterosexual couple with the same last name, the outer envelope can be addressed as "Mr. and Mrs. [Husband's First Name] [Last Name]". For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren". If the couple is sensitive to the wife's name being left out, you can address it as "Mr. [Husband's First Name] [Last Name] and Mrs. [Wife's First Name] [Last Name]". For instance, "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren". On the inner envelope, you can simply write their last name, such as "Mr. and Mrs. Warren", or use their first names, like "Thomas and Michelle".
If the married couple has different last names, their names should be written on the same line on the outer envelope, with the woman's name first. For example, "Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez". If the names are too long and don't fit on one line, you can list them separately. On the inner envelope, you can refer to them by their last names, such as "Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez", or use their first names, like "Maria and David".
In the case of a same-sex married couple, the outer envelope can be addressed with both their full names on the same line, with either name coming first. For instance, "Mr. Marcus Craft and Mr. Brian Crosby-Craft". On the inner envelope, you can refer to them by their last names, like "Mr. Craft and Mr. Crosby-Craft", or use their first names, such as "Marcus and Brian".
It's worth noting that wedding invitation etiquette has become more flexible, and you can choose to forgo titles and use only first and last names if that suits your style. Additionally, always consider the couple's preferences and feelings when addressing the invitation.
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Addressing a single person
When addressing a wedding invitation to a single person, it's important to use their preferred title and full name on the outer envelope. If they are over 18, use "Mr." for a man and "Ms." for a woman. For those under 18, no title is needed for boys, while "Miss" is acceptable for girls. Here are some examples:
On the outer envelope:
- Mr. James Montgomery
- Ms. Stephanie Chen
If the single guest has been offered a plus-one, you can simply add "and Guest" on the inner envelope, without specifying the guest's name on the outer envelope. Here's how it could look:
On the outer envelope:
Mr. James Montgomery
On the inner envelope:
Mr. Montgomery and Guest
If you are unsure about the guest's preferred title, it is best to forgo the title altogether. Additionally, if the single guest has a distinguished title, such as a doctor, lawyer, judge, or military personnel, it is proper etiquette to use this title on the invitation envelope.
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Addressing a family
When addressing a family on a wedding invitation, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to decide whether you want to specify which family members are invited or invite the whole family. If you want to be specific, write the names of each family member, starting with the parent(s) and listing the children in order of age. For girls under 18, you can use "Miss", while boys don't need a title until they're 16. Here's an example:
> The Simpson Family
> Mr. and Mrs. Homer Simpson
> Mr. Bart Simpson
> Miss Lisa Simpson
If you're inviting the whole family, use the family name or just the parents' names on the outer envelope:
> The Simpson Family
> or
> Mr. & Mrs. Homer Simpson
Then, on the inner envelope, list the first names of all invited family members:
> Mr. and Mrs. Simpson
> Bart, Lisa, and Maggie
> or
> Homer, Marge, Bart, Miss Lisa, and Miss Maggie
It's important to note that if you don't include each child's name, it may be interpreted as children not being invited. So, if you're having an adults-only wedding, be sure to clarify this with your guests.
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Frequently asked questions
For a heterosexual couple, the outer envelope can be addressed as "Mr. and Mrs. [Full Name of Husband]." For a same-sex couple, either name can go first. For a more modern approach, you can include both first names: "Mr. [Husband First Name] and Mrs. [Wife First Name] [Last Name]."
For a heterosexual couple, write their full names on the same line with the woman's name first: "Ms. [Wife First Name] [Wife Last Name] and Mr. [Husband First Name] [Husband Last Name]." For same-sex couples, the same format applies.
For a single person with a plus-one, it is best to know the name of the guest they will bring. The outer envelope can be addressed as "Mr./Ms. [Host Full Name] and Guest." If you don't know the name of the guest, you can simply write "and Guest."
