HOW TO ADDRESS WEDDING INVITATIONS
Wondering how to address your wedding invitations? I know addressing your wedding invitations can seem like a daunting task. Exactly how do you address your envelopes? What etiquette rules do you follow? This post offers addressing examples for both formal invitation addressing as well as contemporary suggestions.
INVITATION OUTER ENVELOPES:
Addressing wedding invitations is an art within itself. If you are having a formal wedding, it’s best to follow proper etiquette rules. Modern couples who like to think outside of the box can certainly bend the rules a little. I’m somewhat of a traditionalist and modernist mixed in. So, I like to look at the options and go from there. Below are the basics of addressing your invitations taken from wedding invitation etiquette.
• When addressing invitations, use full names and titles like Mr. or Mrs.
• If you’re not using an inner envelope and you are inviting children, list them below the parent’s names in order of age, oldest first and so on.
• Guests 18 and over should receive their own invitation if they still reside with their parents.
• Abbreviations are acceptable for titles with the exception of any military titles which are never abbreviated.
• Middle names are fine if they fit on the line. If they don’t fit then omit them.
• Spell out Street, Boulevard, Road, Apartment, etc and also Post Office Box instead of “P.O. Box.”
• Numbers up to 20 can be spelled out if you like.
• You can write out the state name (most formal) or abbreviate: MA, AZ, CT etc. Note: the Post Office does prefer the state abbreviation.
• For zip codes just use the number: 85255 or 85255-1234 if space allows.
THINGS TO REMEMBER:
Addressing wedding invitations properly will let guests know exactly who is invited. There are some things to remember to make sure you do get your point across and that you don’t insult anyone in the process.
• Wedding invitations are always addressed to the married couple. It’s really not advisable to invite only one person if they’re actually a pair.
• If a married woman uses her maiden name, then tradition specifies the name of the husband is to be written first. These days, either name first is perfectly acceptable. Personally, I tend to write the woman’s name first.
• Inviting guests with titles: write them out unless space is limited, then abbreviate them. The person holding the title is listed first. Never abbreviate military titles.
• Unmarried couples living together: the names should be written on the same line.
• Inviting a guest’s plus-one: if you know their name, then write it just below the invited guest. If you are unsure & not using an inner envelope then write “and Guest” on the same line.
• Taking a more contemporary approach to addressing?…it’s perfectly acceptable these days to leave off social titles. When you’re in doubt, my advice is to ask. Some people still love tradition and you can always ask how they prefer to be addressed.
• Middle names it must be spelled out. If space doesn’t allow for this than omit it.
ADDRESSING INNER WEDDING INVITATION ENVELOPES:
Inner envelopes serve a couple of purposes:
• They add an extra layer of protection to the invitation and enclosures.
• If your wedding is a little more formal or you like the idea of an inner envelope then this is where you would list the children invited to your wedding. As a rule, only the parents are to be listed on the outer envelope. The inner is for the parents and the children. See the examples below.
What you should know about inner envelopes when addressing them to your guests:
Close family and friends. It’s perfectly acceptable to use familiar names and titles. Memere and Pepere, Aunt Marie and Uncle Joe, Jennifer and Cordell
Couples with young children. If you are using inner and outer envelopes, the outer envelope is only addressed to the parents. The inner envelope will include the parents’ names with the children’s names below. Rule of thumb for teenagers: if you are inviting anyone in the same household that is 18 or over they should receive their own invitation.
OUTER ENVELOPE
Family and close friends
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Harrison
345 Main Street
Worcester, Massachusetts
01603
INNER ENVELOPE
Family and close friends
Aunt Sue and Uncle Bob
–or–
Sue and Bob
OUTER ENVELOPE
Couples with young children
In this case the mother is also a medical doctor
Dr. Amelia Rhoades and Mr. William Rhoades
10226 West Shore Road
San Diego, California
92107
–or–
(when no inner envelope is used)
Mr. and Mrs. William Rhoades and Family
–or–
Dr. Amelia Rhoades and Mr. William Rhoades
Catherine Rhoades
Michael Rhoades
INNER ENVELOPE
Couples with young children
Doctor Rhoades and Mr. Rhoades
Catherine and Michael
–or–
Catherine Rhoades
Michael Rhoades
–or–
The Rhoades Family
-or a more contemporary approach if you know the couple well-
Bill and Amelia
Catherine and Michael
RETURN ADDRESSES:
Your return address on the invitation outer envelope should go above center at the top of the flap. I’ve read many stories of beautifully designed envelopes where the return address is mistaken for the mailing address. This is not what you want to happen. True, the post office would love the return address to be in the upper left corner on the front, but most of us love the look of the address on the flap. Rule of thumb is to use the street address only. This address also indicates where you want gifts to be sent.
For your reply envelopes you may address them as you like. Remeber they should go to whoever is collecting and counting your replies.
“The Future Wilsons”, “The Future Mrs. Wilson”, “Ms. Amy Miller”, etc…
