How to Address Wedding Invitations With Proper Etiquette?

Key Takeaways:

1. The title of the envelope is to be completely formal and substantiated.
2. Plus-one guest wording should never be on outer envelopes.
3. “Apartments” or “suite” information should be entered on a separate line from the suite number.
4. If you live with one of your parents, you must be designated as an adult child and then invited individually.
5. Full words should be used on return addresses, which must be placed on the outer leaf.

Finding out the right way to address your wedding invitation is not easy. The rule of thumb says the outer envelope of the wedding invitation should have a formal and traditional look. The titles, as well as the full names of the recipient, printed on the outer envelope, should be more formal than the wording written in the inner part of the invitation.   

If all these formats and methods of writing a wedding invitation seem confusing to you, let us help. Be with us in this article and learn about different types of recipients you will have and what the right approach is to address such invitations.

Addressing a Married Couple

What to write on the outer envelope?

Mr. Jacob and Mrs. Lauren Pearson

Or

Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Pearson

What to write on the inner envelope?

Mr. and Mrs. Pearson

Or

Jacob and Lauren

Also Read: Discover the Best Time Frame to Send the Wedding Invitations

Addressing a Married Couple with Different Surnames

Start with the name of the person you’re closest to. In case both names are close to your heart, list them in alphabetical order.

What to write on the outer envelope?

Mr. Jacob Pearson and Mrs. Lauren Allen

What to write on the inner envelope?

Mr. Jacob and Mrs. Lauren

Or

Jacob and Lauren

Addressing an Unmarried Couple Living Together

This is the same as what you did for the married couple. Include both names on the envelopes, but make sure each name gets its own line.

What to write on the outer envelope?

Mr. Jacob Pearson

Ms. Lauren Allen

What to write on the inner envelope?

Mr. Jacob

Ms. Lauren

Addressing a Same-Sex Couple

Here, you can use the same rule of thumb that you did for an unmarried or married couple. In case the couple is married, write down both names on the same line.

What to write on the outer envelope?

Ms. Lauren Allen and Ms. Jacqueline Purcell

Or

Lauren Allen and Jacqueline Purcell

What to write on the inner envelope?

Ms. Lauren and Ms. Jacqueline

Or

Lauren and Jacqueline

Addressing a Married Woman Doctor or Two Married Doctors

If the recipient is a woman doctor, the envelopes should read:

What to write on the outer envelope?

Dr. Lauren Allen and Mr. Jacob Pearson

In case she prefers to use her husband's name socially, the envelopes should read:

Dr. Lauren and Mr. Jacob Pearson

If the couple is a doctor, the right way to address them in the wedding invitation would be:

Doctors Lauren and Jacob Pearson

What to write on the inner envelope?

Dr. Allen and Mr. Pearson

Or

The Doctors' Pearson

Addressing a Couple with Other Distinguished Titles

This one is for the military personnel, judges, reverends, and so on.

What to write on the outer envelope? 

The Honorable Lauren Allen and Lieutenant Jacob Pearson, US Navy

Or

Captains Lauren and Jacob Pearson, US Navy (if both are captains)

What to write on the inner envelope?

Judge Pearson and Lieutenant Pearson, US Navy

Or

The Captains Pearson

Must Read: Top Wedding Invitation Tips To Know

Addressing Children and Families

There is a proper format for addressing younger guests for the wedding ceremony. You cannot include their name on the outer envelope but can do the same on the inner part of the envelope. 

Use the salutation “Miss” for the girls under 18. However, there’s no need to give any salutation to boys under 18. You can write their name without any salutation until they turn 18.

Mr. and Mrs. Lauren Pearson (Name of the Parents)

Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany, and Miss Kelly (names of the kids)

Note: If the age of the recipient is more than 18 years, he/she should receive a separate invitation unless they're living at home with their parents.

What to write on the outer envelope?

Ms. Brittany Kelly

Or

Mr. Daniel Kelly

What to write on the inner envelope?

Ms. Kelly

Or

Mr. Kelly

Addressing a Single Guest with a Plus-One

• Addressing on the outside: Ms. Lauren Allen (or Mr. Jacob Pearson)  
• Inside envelope: Write Ms. Lauren Allen (or Mr. Jacob Pearson) and Guest.  
• Important reminder: Do not write "and Guest" on the outside envelope to maintain a strictly formal outer envelope address.  
• Alternate version: If you know the partner's name, write the partner down on a single line (separate from the guest's name). 

Addressing Widows and Widowers

• Address of outer envelope: Mrs. Lauren Pearson (or Mr. Jacob Pearson)  
• Address to the inside of the envelope: Mrs. Pearson (or Mr. Pearson)  
• Jingle: Traditional etiquette is ‘Mrs. Married-Name,’ but follow the person's wishes.  
• If you want, you can formally use the name of a deceased spouse, like "Mrs. Jacob Pearson."

Addressing Non-Binary Guests and Gender-Neutral Titles

• For non-binary guests or if you need a gender-neutral title, write "Mx. Alex Taylor" on the outer envelope. 
• On the inner envelope, you can use "Mx. Alex" or just "Alex Taylor." 
• Go with "Mx." if that's what the person prefers or if it feels right for the situation.
• Alternate method: Omit the prefix and write the full name, that is, without any title. 

Addressing Digital Elements and Online Invitations

What card to put in the outer envelope?

RSVP by heading to our wedding website or scanning the QR code on the details card.

Invite Only: We're excited for your big day. Please join the celebration online at www.weddingwebsite.com.

What information should be on the inner envelope or details card?

Celebrate digitally with us! Contact my schedule, sign a registry, and find out the travel information here: www.weddingwebsite.com

Or

Tap the QR code below to view event information and get your RSVP via mobile!

Don’t Miss: 10 Wedding Invitations Etiquette Do's and Don'ts for Guests

 

Conclusion

These were some basic wedding invitation formats that you can consider when sending yours. Writing a wedding invitation may seem difficult, but with the right approach and formatting, you can master this not-so-easy wedding task.

Hope this works for you. Did we miss anything? Do let us know in the comments section. We would love to hear from you. Have a nice day!

Frequently Asked Questions

Should the title or professional designation be abbreviated on wedding invitation envelopes?

Apart from the traditional "Mr.," "Mrs.," "Ms.," and "Dr.," all full titles, like "Professor" or "Reverend" or "Lieutenant General," are to be spelled out on the envelope by formal etiquette.

What style for addresses of the guests having apartment or suite numbers?

Spelling out the main street address is mandatory; numbers must be on their own line, and the apartment/suite/unit number must be expressed as such, never with a "#" symbol.

Is it acceptable to use pre-printed address labels instead of hand-addressing envelopes?

Traditional hand-addressing or professional calligraphy might still be the preferred way to address an envelope, or today, many people opt for the complete quality and convenience of digital printing directly on the envelope using elegant fonts, although adhesive labels may still not be feasible for formal weddings.

What do you do if the invitation is extended to an adult child who still lives in the family house?

If a household of 3 or more members has an individual residential address, they should all be sent separate invitations, which should contain only their own title and name.

How should a return address be written on the back flap of the outer envelope?

The host(s)' name(s) and mailing address must be complete with their full names or last names, and all street names must be spelled out, for example, "Avenue" or "Boulevard," and there should not be any state abbreviations.

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