Key Takeaways
- To address invitations for married couples with the same last name, use "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the husband's first and last name for heterosexual couples.
- Remember that for unmarried couples living together, list the person you are closest to first on invitations.
- When inviting a couple with different last names, write each name, starting with the woman's name on one line or separately if it's too long.
If you're approaching the eight-week mark ahead of your wedding date, you're likely getting ready to cross one major to-do off of your list: mailing your wedding invitations. However, before you can stick your stationery suites in the mail, you'll need to make sure that you've addressed each envelope properly. While much of your attention may be focused on getting the right address, writing out each attendee's name correctly may be a bit more complicated than you're anticipating. How you pen each name will depend on their relationship status, honorific titles, whether or not they're getting a plus-one, and more.
Additionally, how you address an exterior envelope (the one that the post office sees) is slightly different than how you should address an interior envelope (which many stationery suites now include). You may also wonder if you're inviting a couple, which person's name should you write first? Or, how can you best navigate inviting an entire family, including children? While the world of wedding-invitation etiquette can seem overwhelming, don't worry. We're here to make the process as simple as possible.
Below, we've compiled a comprehensive guide on how to address wedding invitations. Read on for more.
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How to Address Wedding Invitations to a Married Couple With the Same Last Name
For a heterosexual couple, use "Mr." and "Mrs." and spell out the husband's first and last name. For a same-sex couple, either name can go first.
- Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren"
- Inner envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle"
Many modern women may have a strong aversion to having their name left out and lumped in with their husbands. If the couple is sensitive to this:
- Outer envelope: "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren"
- Inner envelope: "Mr. Warren and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle"
How to Address Wedding Invitations to a Married Couple With Different Last Names
For a heterosexual couple, write their names on the same line with the woman's name first; if the combined names are too long to fit on one line, list them separately.
- Outer envelope: "Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez"
- Inner envelope: "Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez" or "Maria and David"
How to Address Wedding Invitations to a Married Couple With One Hyphenated Last Name
In the case of a spouse who has chosen to hyphenate their last name, invitations should be addressed using the following:
- Outer envelope: "Mr. Marcus Craft and Mr. Brian Crosby-Craft"
- Inner envelope: "Mr. Craft and Mr. Crosby-Craft" or "Marcus and Brian"
How to Address Wedding Invitations to an Unmarried Couple
Invitations to a couple who are unmarried but live at the same address are addressed to both people on one line. List the person whom you are closest to first.
- Outer envelope: "Mr. Stanley Kim and Ms. Amanda Rhee"
- Inner envelope: "Mr. Kim and Ms. Rhee" or "Stanley and Amanda"
How to Address Wedding Invitations to a Single Female
Use "Ms." if she is over age 18. If she is younger, then "Miss" is the acceptable choice; it should be spelled out, not abbreviated as an initial.
- Outer envelope: "Ms. Stephanie Chen" or "Miss Stephanie Chen" (if she is younger than 18)
- Inner envelope: "Ms. Chen" or "Miss Chen" or "Stephanie"
If a single female has been given a plus-one, you don't need to indicate this on the outer envelope; reserve "and guest" language to the inner envelope only.
- Outer envelope: "Ms. Stephanie Chen"
- Inner envelope: "Ms. Chen and guest" or "Stephanie and guest"
Addressing Wedding Invitations to a Single Male
Use "Mr." if he is over 18. Otherwise, no title is necessary.
- Outer envelope: "Mr. James Montgomery"
- Inner envelope: "Mr. Montgomery" or "James"
If a single male has been offered a plus-one, don't indicate this on the outer envelope; reserve "and guest" language for the inner envelope only.
- Outer envelope: "Mr. James Montgomery"
- Inner envelope: "Ms. Montgomery and guest" or "James and guest"
Photo by Vicki Grafton
How to Address Wedding Invitations to a Married Couple When One Person Is a Doctor
If the combined names are too long to fit on one line, list them separately. Spell out "doctor" on the outer envelope, and abbreviate it on the inner.
- Outer envelope: "Doctor Tami Takata and Ms. Christina Smith"
- Inner envelope: "Dr. Takata and Ms. Smith" or "Tami and Christina"
How to Address Wedding Invitations to a Married Couple When Both People Are Doctors
In the case of married doctors, it is proper to use: "The Doctors."
- Outer envelope: "The Doctors Smith" or "Drs. Matthew and Angela Smith"
- Inner envelope: "The Doctors Smith" or "Matthew and Angela"
In the case of married doctors and one has chosen to hyphenate, note the example below. If both titles don't fit on one line, indent the second line.
- Outer envelope: "Doctor Matthew Smith and Doctor Angela Griggs-Smith"
- Inner envelope: "Dr. Smith and Dr. Griggs-Smith" or "Matthew and Angela"
How to Address Wedding Invitations to a Couple With Other Distinguished Titles
Apply the same rules for military personnel, judges, reverends, etc., that you use for doctors. If both titles don't fit on one line, indent the second line. And remember that whichever half of the couple "outranks" the other (say, a doctor, member of the military, or some other profession that includes a title) goes first, regardless of gender.
- Outer envelope: "The Honorable Josephine Wood and Mr. Jonathan Wood" or "Captains Josephine and Jonathan Wood, US Navy"
- Inner envelope: "Judge Wood and Mr. Wood" or "The Captains Wood"
If you’re addressing someone who is an attorney, use “Esq.” after their name. Example: John Smith, Esq.
How to Address Wedding Invitations to a Family, Including Children
When inviting an entire family, the family name or the parents' names should be listed alone, and everyone can be included on the inside.
When including female children under the age of 18, address them with a Miss.
- Outer envelope: "The Thompson Family" or "Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson" or "Mr. Alan Thompson and Mrs. Emily Thompson"
- Inner Envelope: "Alan, Emily, Roger, Chance, Miss Jennifer, and Miss Lily"
How to Address Wedding Invitations for a Casual Wedding
You might be wondering: "What if my wedding isn't going to be that formal? Do I still have to make the wedding invitations formal?" When it comes to addressing wedding invitations for a more casual event, we understand the temptation to just use first names, or first and last names without titles. If the vibe of your celebration is truly a backyard barbecue or picnic in the park, you may be able to get away with it.
However, this is definitely the right time to use more formal wording for older or more conservative guests; they may not notice that you were being particularly respectful, but they definitely will if they feel that you were too informal.
