How to properly address your wedding invitations
You’ve picked out your perfect wedding invitations and its now time to setup your guest addressing. If you are like any of the clients I have worked with you are probably wondering what is the proper way to do this? No worries here as I am sharing a complete guide to help you not have those awkward conversations later on.
First things first it depends on what the style of your wedding is and are you using single or double envelopes. If you are wondering if you need double envelopes check out my last post here but the general rule is if you are having a formal wedding than yes you should!
Single Envelope Only
These are the best practices used when only using one envelope that carries all of your stationery pieces.
Single Individual
If the guest is a female you would use the Ms. title unless she is under 18. If she is under 18 it is best to include her on her parent’s invitation where you would use Miss (see families section).
Ms. Emilia Walker
If the guest is a single male you would use the Mr. title unless he is under 18. Again, it would be best to include him on his parent’s invitation if he is under 18 and would require no title.
Mr. Will Parker
If you are extending a courtesy guest to the single individual it is VERY important to be specific with who you are allowing as their guest.
If the individual is free to bring whomever they prefer you would use the “and guest” on the end
Ms. Emilia Walker and Guest
If the individual is only able to bring a significant other or friend it is best to name that person specifically.
Ms. Emilia Walker and Mr. Louis Moore
This is very important, if you extend a guest to an individual intending for it to be for a significant other and they cannot come they will always bring another person in their place. You will then either have to have an awkward conversation telling them they cannot bring their guest (not recommended if you used “and guest”), or you will have to pay for someone you did not intend to have!
Also note if you are inviting a judge, priest, doctor etc. make sure to use their proper title such as “Father” or “Dr”.
Married Couple
If the married couple has the same last name you have a few options that are completely your preference.
Mr. and Mrs. Adam Walker
Or
Mr. Adam and Linda Walker
If the married couple has different last names you can list whomever you prefer first unless one is a Doctor. In that situation the Dr. will always go first. You are welcome to use Dr. or Doctor to be more formal.
Mr. Adam Walker and Mrs. Linda Knope
or
Dr. and Mrs. Adam Walker
If a partner has a hyphenated last name always list them second.
Families
If you are having an informal wedding you are welcome to use “and family” as long as the entire family is invited but it is always a good practice to list each child out.
For a single envelope you will want to list the children on a second line.
Mr. and Mrs. Adam Parker
Miss Rachel, Miss Emma and Ben
Double Envelopes
For double envelopes you will follow the same rules listed above for the outer envelope excluding the Family. Think of your inner envelope as an informal addressing option.
Single Individual
Outer Envelope
Ms. Emilia Walker
Inner Envelope
Ms. Walker
or
Emilia
When a guest is extended
Outer Envelope
Ms. Emilia Walker and Guest
Inner Envelope
Ms. Walker and Guest
or
Emilia and Guest
When a specific guest is extended
Outer Envelope
Ms. Emilia Walker and Mr. David Black
Inner Envelope
Ms. Walker and Mr. Black
or
Emilia and David
Married Couple
Outer Envelope
Mr. and Mrs. Adam Walker
or
Mr. Adam and Linda Walker
Inner Envelope
Mr. and Mrs. Walker
or
Adam and Linda
Different Last Names
Outer Envelope
Mr. Adam Walker and Mrs. Linda Knope
Inner Envelope
Mr. Walker and Mrs. Knope
or
Adam and Linda
Families
Outer Envelope
Mr. and Mrs. Adam Parker
Inner Envelope
Mr. and Mrs. Parker
Miss. Rachel, Miss Emma and Ben
Or
Adam and Linda
Miss Rachel, Miss Emma and Ben
Other General Rules
-If a child is over 18, they should receive their own invitation
-If a guest is divorced make sure to check what name they prefer to go by
-If two names do not fit on one line list the second name centered on a second line
Have any other questions I might have missed? make sure to ask below in the comments!
Outer Envelope
Double Envelope
Inner Envelope