Addressing Your Wedding Invitations: A Guide to Proper Etiquette

It can be a thrilling part of your wedding planning to send out your wedding invitations! That carefully selected stationery isn't just mail — it's the first taste of your big day and a meaningful inclusion for your nearest and dearest. But before you drop those babies in the mail, there's one particularly important item that needs your attention: how to address the wedding invitations.

Good etiquette not only demonstrates consideration and respect – it makes each and every guest feel genuinely honored to take part in your big day. Whether married with children, single guests, or plus ones, we take you through all the tips and tricks, with a comprehensive guide to addressing your invitations with the utmost style and grace.

Addressing Married Couples

Traditional Format

Formal option: Write out both names on two lines, with the husband's name on top:

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

This holds traditional etiquette and is still practiced a lot at traditional wedding gatherings.

Different Last Names

If the couple have different last names, use the combined form of address in one of two ways:

· If you want them on one line: Ms. Jane Doe and Mr. John Smith

· Underneath that, but on separate lines (alphabetic by last name):

Ms. Jane Doe

Mr. John Smith

Preferred Names

Remember to honour the couple's individual taste if they wish to be referred to by a collective surname, even if it is not their legal name.

Addressing Unmarried Couples Living Together

You can include both names for unwed couples sharing a home:

• On separate lines:

Ms. Jane Doe

Mr. John Smith

• Or on a single line with "and":

Ms. Jane Doe and Mr. John Doe, OR Ms. Jane Doe and Mr. John Roe

In other words, it recognises the gravity of their relationship while not being overly subservient.

Addressing Families with Children

Traditional Style

For parents and children under 18:

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

Master Michael Smith

Miss Emily Smith

Alternatively, you can simplify with:

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith and Family

Contemporary Style

Sometimes, in modern etiquette, the children's names are printed on a second line:

Ms. Jane Doe and Mr. John Smith

Emily, Michael, and Jessica

Adult Children

Anyone over 18 is getting their own invitation, even if they live at home.

Addressing Single Guests

For individuals:

· Ms. Jane Doe

· Mr. John Smith

With a Plus-One

If you are inviting a guest to bring a guest of their own:

· Ms. Jane Doe and Guest

· Mr. John Smith and Friend

This helps to ensure no one is confused as to whether or not they are invited.

5 Other Essential Tips for How To Address Wedding Invitations

1. Use Full Names

Spell out full first and last names, not nicknames, unless it is friends/family of yours, the guest is personally close to you, and they would prefer the casual touch.

2. Titles Matter

You may want to use appropriate titles, such as Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Dr. If you don't know a female recipient's preference, "Ms." is fine.

3. Spell Everything Out

Avoid abbreviations. Instead of "St." write "Street." Instead of "CA," write "California." This formality adds an air of formality to the invitation.

4. Handwrite Addresses

Nothing softens and formalizes a written message like a handwritten address. If your handwriting is not neat, a friend with beautiful penmanship can fulfil your wishes, or hire a calligrapher for a nice finish.

5. Inner Envelopes (Optional)

Inner envelopes are used for extremely formal weddings. These have only the first names of the people invited, except here, you know just exactly who is invited, but without the titles.

Example:

Outer envelope: Mr. and Mrs. John Smith Inner envelope: John and Jane

Inner envelope: John and Emily

Proofread Carefully

Double-check all names, spellings and addresses before your mail. Even minor errors can lead to delays or embarrassing miscommunications.

Final Thoughts

How you address your wedding invitations is a detail that shouldn't be overlooked. It gives your wedding a theme to be based on, it shows thoughtfulness, and most importantly, it shows your guests that you appreciate them. Whether you opt for the traditional, the contemporary or the personalized, the trick is consistency and respect.

These wedding invitation etiquette guidelines, from when to send save-the-dates and what your RSVP deadline should be to whether it's okay to include registry info, will help you avoid etiquette snafus and make your wedding invitation a reflection of your own style, whether classic, formal, modern, or beyond.

So dive in, take a moment, pick up your best pen (or calligrapher!) and address your invitations with love—it's the first step in your friends and family being honored to share in the sacred of everything in your life.