One of the most popular etiquette questions I receive on a daily basis from my couples is asking how to handle a certain addressing situations while they are putting together their addresses for their envelopes. I figured this would be a great topic to cover on my etiquette series so I can kind of compile all of the different options and questions into one place, as well as touch on some general etiquette items on the addresses and envelopes.
First, I want to go over some general rules of thumb for your addresses, be sure to spell out roads, streets, states and anything that could possibly be abbreviated. Also, use formal names and titles, no nicknames. Even if your wedding is an informal backyard affair, it is STILL a wedding. Always include proper titles for your guest (Mr., Mrs., Miss, Dr. etc.).
When you are trying to figure out who all to list on each envelope, simply think about who all is invited from the household. Etiquette says that only the people listed on the envelope are the ones who are invited. For instance, if you prefer not to have children at your wedding, you would list only the parent’s names on the envelope. If you want the entire family include, you would list their names as well or address them to the family as a whole.
For the response envelope (can’t forget about this important guy!) the address of the individual who will be collecting the response cards needs to be printed on the front of the envelope. Generally, the response cards come back to the bride, but it all depends on who is in charge of the guest list. Also, be sure to place a stamp on the response envelope for your guest! It is considered faux pas not to. For more information on the response card, be sure to check out this etiquette series blog post.
Below I have included some specifics on how to handle listing your guest names for different situations based on if you have just an outer envelopes or both inner and outer envelopes.
Married Couple (same last name)
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher King
Unmarried Couple
Mr. Jonathan Hunter and Miss Hannah White*?* if you only know one of the individuals, their name would go first
Family (children invited)
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher King and Family (generic, all-encompassing)
OR
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher King
Miss Annabelle King (list children’s name separately under their parents)
Single Individual with Option to Bring a Guest
Mr. Stephen Thompson and Guest
If you are including inner envelopes, this is where you would place any additional guest or children that are invited with the main guests. The outer envelope would be only for the main guest/couple.
Married Couple (same last name)
OUTER:
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher King
INNER:
Mr. and Mrs. King (formal)
OR
Sarah and Christopher (informal)
Unmarried Couple
OUTER:
Mr. Jonathan Hunter and Miss Hannah White
INNER:
Mr. Hunter and Miss White (formal)
OR
Jonathan and Hannah (informal)
Family (children invited)
OUTER:
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher King
INNER:
Mr. and Mrs. King
Miss Annabelle King (formal)
OR
Annabelle (informal)
Single Individual with Option to Bring a Guest
OUTER:
Mr. Stephen Thompson
INNER:
Mr. Thompson and Guest
If there is anything I have missed or that you have questions on, feel free to shoot me an e-mail! Hello@heatherobriendesign.com
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