Your partner has finally popped the question, and now you’re happily engaged to the love of your life. Now you get to tell all your friends and family and invite them to the best celebration ever — your wedding. Before you begin creating and sending out your wedding invitations in the mail, there are a few important things to note about wedding invitation wording to ensure you address everyone correctly. Filling out invitations the right way can be a bit tricky as there are many titles to remember, spell-checks to implement, and unexpected updates to keep track of. With all of these details being critical to have, we decided to create a helpful guide on how to address wedding invitations for every situation.
If you’re wondering how to correctly address your wedding invitations, continue reading below for illustrated instructions showing proper etiquette for addressing both the outer and inner envelopes. Or, use our interactive form for quick answers on how to address invitations for everyone attending your wedding. Let us help you make life simple by letting us address your invitations for you with customized address labels.
Outer Envelope
Inner Envelope
To a Married Couple
This is the most traditional form of addressing a wedding invitation. Should you choose to include both persons’ names, the outer envelope can be addressed as Mr. and Mrs. HIS FIRSTNAME LASTNAME. An alternate version includes both names as Mr. FIRSTNAME and Mrs. FIRSTNAME LASTNAME.
To a Married Couple, Different Last Names
When addressing a married couple or couple with different last names, it’s best to list the person to whom you’re closest to first on the outer and inner envelopes. If you know each one as well as the other, you may write them in alphabetical order.
To an Unmarried Couple Living Together
Similar to addressing a married couple, if you are addressing an unmarried couple who are living together, both names should be included on the envelopes.
To a Married Couple, Hyphenated Last Name
To Those with Distinguished Titles
If only one person has a distinguished title, it’s proper etiquette to write his or her name, and title first. If the wife has a professional title, address her name depending on whether or not she uses her maiden name professionally.
If both parties are doctors with different last names, both their names can be written on the inner and outer envelopes.
If both parties are doctors with the same last name, you may address the envelopes as follows:
Many of the same rules that you use for doctors also apply for military personnel, judges, reverends, etc. If both parties have distinguished titles, it is best to write the person with the highest rank first. Also, make note to add “The Honorable” to a title in the case of elected government positions, excluding the President.
To a Divorced Female
When addressing a divorced female, the best practice is to address her as either Mrs. or Ms. Use her maiden name if she doesn’t use her former husband’s surname.
To a Widow
Traditionally, you would use the deceased husband’s last name in the address, as well as his first name. However, this depends greatly on her personal preference and what she will find respectful. Some choose to use their own first name, and sometimes also their own last name. If you’re unsure, it’s best to ask what she prefers.
To Children and Families
Younger guests can be included on the inner envelope of their parents’ invitation listed by first name. However, children are normally not addressed on the outer envelope. For girls under eighteen years old, use “Miss.” Boys on the other hand, don’t require a title until they’re eighteen.
To People 18 and Older
Unless they are living at home with their parents, people that are eighteen and older should receive their own invitations.
Would you like to receive invitations that dazzle? Check out our online wedding invitations and, in particular, our premium wedding cards. Or, request free wedding invitation samples if you’re still undecided. Thinking about personalizing your wedding invites? Visit our wedding hashtag generator or our wedding invitation wording examples for some fun inspiration.
