Tips on Addressing Wedding Invitations

By Lisa Gunther

The sooner you start addressing your wedding invitations the better. The most organized brides will have their wedding invitations in hand at three months prior to the wedding. The easiest way to get this daunting task done is to organize a lunch or dinner party with your bridesmaids and get those girls to help out. Don’t put undue stress on yourself or your mother and try to do it all yourself.

Typically you will have two envelopes to address when it comes to your wedding invitation ensemble. There usually is the inner envelope and the outer envelope. The outer envelope has the name and address of a particular guest or guests.

The inner envelope contains all the enclosures. The inner envelope would have the name or names of the guests you’re inviting to the ceremony and reception. There is no address on the inner envelope.

As soon as you sit down to start writing these envelopes out, things get complicated. Here are guidelines for how to address the inner and outer envelopes for common name situations. Remember, the inner envelope will not have an address. The outer envelope has the name and address.

(1)Single Man named Adam Smith. Inner envelope: Mr. Smith. Outer envelope: Mr. Adam Smith

(2)Young Boy named Adam Smith. Inner envelope: Master Smith. Outer envelope: Master Adam Smith

(3)Single Woman or Girl named Jennifer Brown. Inner envelope: Miss Brown or Ms. Brown. Outer envelope: Miss Jennifer Brown or Ms. Jennifer Brown

(4)Single Woman and a Guest (let us use: Jennifer Brown and Adam Smith). Inner envelope on two lines: Miss Brown, Mr. Smith or Miss Brown, And Guest. Outer envelope: Miss Jennifer Brown

(5)Single Man and a Guest (let us use: Adam Smith and Jennifer Brown again). Inner envelope on two lines: Mr. Smith, Miss Brown or Mr. Smith, And Guest. Outer envelope: Mr. Adam Smith

(6)Widow named Beverly Carter (assume her deceased husband’s name is Gary Carter). Inner envelope: Mrs. Carter. Outer envelope: Mrs. Gary Carter.

(7)Divorcee named Beverly Carter. Her maiden name was Jones. Inner envelope: Mrs. Carter. Outer envelope would be Mrs. Jones Carter (a combination of the maiden name and former husband’s last name).

(8)Unmarried couple that lives together (let’s use Adam Smith and Jennifer Brown). Inner envelope: Miss Brown and Mr. Smith (go alphabetically by last name). Outer envelope in two lines: Miss Jennifer Brown, Mr. Adam Smith.

(9)Husband and Wife with same last name (let’s use Greg Green and Sally Green). Inner envelope: Mr. and Mrs. Green. Outer envelope: Mr. and Mrs. Greg Green.

(10)Husband and Wife with different last names (let’s use Gregg Green and Sally Hill). Inner envelope: Ms. Hill and Mr. Green (wife’s name goes first). Outer envelope on two lines: Ms. Sally Hill, Mr. Greg Green.

(11)Husband and Wife from example 9 also have 3 kids: Alice, Betsy and Mark. Inner envelope on two lines: Mr. and Mrs. Green, Alice, Betsy and Mark (kids go on line two in order of age). Outer envelope just has the husband and wife: Mr. and Mrs. Greg Green.

These are situations you are bound to run into when addressing your wedding invitations. Once you get the hang of it, it will be easy. You should assemble your guest list and their addresses in an Excel spreadsheet. Make a column for inner and outer envelopes. This way if you take the time to figure it out prior to addressing the envelopes, you and your bridesmaids won’t screw up envelope after envelope. You won’t have to think at all. You and your bridesmaids could even be drinking margaritas and be fine. Just not too many. Be organized and you’ll be fine.

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Source: www.isnare.com

The envelope sets the stage for great wedding invitations… here are some easy tips for addressing wedding invitation envelopes.

Wedding invitations are typically accompanied by two envelopes, an inner and an outer envelope. Both envelopes must be addressed, the inner with the names of the invited guests and the outer with the complete address as well as the names.

Though it is acceptable to have the return address printed on the outer envelope, you should always address the envelopes by hand.

photo credit: chrstphre

Use both the first and last names on the outer envelope and avoid abbreviating titles, suffixes, and nick – names. It is only acceptable to use “and guest” on the inner envelope and only if the invitee does not have a regular significant other. The significant other should be invited by name.

Etiquette suggests that you send separate wedding invitations to children over 16. Old fashioned etiquette also suggest that you may send invitations to female children included with the invitation to the parents, but the male children over 16 should receive separate invitations.

If a couple has children that are under the age of 16… it is perfectly acceptable to address the invitation to the couple and then the names of the children. If a child is over 16 and perfectly capable of getting themselves to the wedding… then send a separate invitation.

The real point is: Do you want to invite the entire family or only the adults?

Some couples may want to print “Adults Only” on the wedding invitations. Or they may wish to put “Adult Only Reception” in with the invitation.

Is this proper etiquette? No… if you don’t want kids at your wedding or reception, don’t invite them. Also… it’s a good idea to have someone you’re close to share this information with anyone on the invitation list that has children.

Names of each member of the family are not indicated on the outside envelope. They are written on the inside envelope of the wedding invitation… this is so that everyone is clear about just who is invited.

On the outside envelopes go the full names and addresses of the guests. Both husband and wife are invited as a Mr. and Mrs. Name.

Invitation for a Married Couple

Outer: Mr. and Mrs. James Alan Smith
Inner: Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Invitation for a couple with two children – the names of each one of four family members are listed on the inside envelope.

For a married couple with children under eighteen:

Outer: Mr. and Mrs. James Alan Smith

Inner: Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Susan and Jimmy

You may use “And family” as an appropriate alternative on the inner envelope if you would like children to attend your wedding ceremony.

It is not necessary to invite children to a wedding, but if you are inviting one child… then all children in this family should be invited. No child should ever feel excluded.

If someone lives at the same residence… you may send a separate invitation or list them on the inside envelope along with the children. A brother, sister, mother or grandmother living at the same residence should be either included on the invitation or sent a separate invitation.

Invitation for an unmarried couple at the same address (on formal invitation, Ms. is accepted, but not preferred)

Outer: Miss (or Ms.) Susie Smith
Inner: Miss (or Ms.) Smith
Mr. Sutton

Invitation for a single woman (on a formal invitation, Ms. is accepted, but not preferred)

Outer: Miss (or Ms.) Susie Smith
Inner: Miss (or Ms.) Smith

Invitation for a single man

Outer: Mr. Bill Simms
Inner: Mr. Simms

Invitation for a widow, or a separate woman

Outer: Mrs. William Alan Simpson
Inner: Mrs. Simpson

Invitation for a divorcee who is still using her former husband’s name (on a formal invitation, Ms. is accepted, but not preferred)

Outer: Mrs. (or Ms.) Jones Kinkade or Mrs. (or Ms.) Samantha Jones Kindade (Jones being her maiden name)
Inner: Mrs. (or Ms.) Kindade

Invitation for a married couple when the wife uses her maiden name

Outer: Ms. Susan Smith and Mr. James Simpson (Both names are on the same line)
Inner: Ms. Smith
Mr. Simpson

OR

Outer: Dr. Patricia Smith and Dr. James Linker
Inner: Dr. Smith
Dr. Linker

Invitation for a single man or woman and guest

Outer: Mr. Richard Blessing
Inner: Mr. Blessing and Guest

Invitation for a married couple, both doctors

Outer: The Doctors Simpson’s
Inner: The Doctors Simpson’s

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