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Do you need help with addressing your wedding invitations? If you’re a bride or groom, this task can be intimidating. There are standard guidelines that govern how you should address your invitations, but sometimes it’s hard to decipher them. Fortunately, we’ve gathered all the information you’ll need perfectly to address your wedding invitations!
Table of Contents:
- How to Address Wedding Invitations to Family
- How to Address Wedding Invitations to Friends
- How to Address Wedding Invitations to Couples
- Your Questions About Wedding Invitations Answered
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Family (With or Without Children)
When inviting families, it’s polite to list the parents’ names on the outer part of the envelope and everyone else on the inside.
Outer Envelope Example:
“The Norman Family” or “Mr. and Mrs. Alan Norman” or “Mr. Alan Norman and Mrs. Emily Norman”
Inner Envelope Example:
“Mr. and Mrs. Alan Norman, Roger(Child), Chance(Child), Miss Jennifer(Child)”
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Children
If you invite children as guests, it may seem natural to address the invitations directly to them. However, invitations should be addressed to the child’s parents or guardians.
A good rule of thumb: Wedding invitations are traditionally addressed to the parents of children or guardians if they’re under 18 years old and living at home with their parent(s).
Outer Envelope Example:
“Mr. and Mrs. James Byrne”
Inner Envelope Example:
“Mr. and Mrs. James Byrne
Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany”
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Friends
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Single Female Friends:
When sending wedding invitations to your single female friends, you should address them as “Ms.” if she is over eighteen. If not, use “Miss.”
Outer Envelope Example:
“Ms. Stephanie Estrada” or “Miss Stephanie Estrada” (if she is younger than 18)
Inner Envelope Example:
“Ms. Estrada” or “Miss Estrada” or “Stephanie”
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Single Male Friends
When sending wedding invitations to your single male friends, use “Mr.”
Outer Envelope Example:
“Mr. James Lee.”
Inner Envelope Example:
“Mr. Lee” or “James”
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Unmarried Couples
When sending wedding invitations to couples, address both guests.
Outer Envelope Example:
“Mr. Stanley Sherman and Ms. Amanda Vargas”
Inner Envelope Example:
“Mr. Sherman and Ms. Vargas” or “Stanley and Amanda”
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Couples
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Married Couples with The Same Last Name
When sending wedding invitations to married couples with the same last name, use appropriate titles and spell out the husband’s first and last name.
Outer Envelope Example:
“Mr. and Mrs. Thomas O’Reilly”
Inner Envelope Example:
“Mr. and Mrs. O’Reilly or “Thomas and Sarah”
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Couples of the Same-Sex
If you’re sending invitations to same-sex couples, you use both their last names on the wedding invitation list.
Outer Envelope Example:
“Mr. David Ferguson & Mr. Matthew Stone”
Inner Envelope Example:
“Mr. David Ferguson & Mr. Matthew Stone or “David and Matthew”
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Couples With Different Last Names
If you’re sending invitations to married couples with different last names, write their names on the same line with the woman’s name first.
Outer Envelope Example:
“Mrs. Maria Ward and Mr. David Vaughan”
Inner Envelope Example:
“Ms. Ward and Mr. Vaughan” or “Maria and David”
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Couples with a Hyphenated Last Name
If you’re sending invitations to couples with hyphenated last names, address them in the same manner as if they were one person. It doesn’t matter which partner chooses to adopt this naming convention – Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss will work just fine.
Outer Envelope Example:
“Mr. Marcus Patel and Mr. Brian Crosby-Patel”
Inner Envelope Example:
“Mr. Patel and Mr. Crosby-Patel” or “Marcus and Brian”
Your Questions About Wedding Invitations Answered
Is It OK to Hand Address Wedding Invitations?
Yes, wedding invitations can be hand addressed. However, it’s not a good idea if you’re sending out more than 20 sets of wedding invitations(thank us later).
Do You Put Your Return Address On Wedding Invitations?
If you’re hand addressing wedding invitations, it’s unnecessary to put your return address on the invitation. However, suppose you’re using pre-printed envelopes or sending out more than 20 sets of wedding invitations. In that case, add your return address to avoid confusion and make sure that people know where to send wedding gifts and thank you cards.
How Early Can I Send Out My Wedding Invitations?
It’s never too early to send wedding invitations. Usually, you can wait until around six months before the wedding date if you send them out in the mail.
What is the Cost & How Much Should I Spend on Wedding Invitations?
You can spend as little or as much as you want on wedding invitations. 100 wedding invitations cost on average $250 – $400. But, if you are ordering them online, you might find sets for less than that!
There are several diverse styles and colors available in wedding invitation sets, leaving you with plenty of variety. Wedding invitation sets usually come with an envelope (for sending out wedding invitations), RSVP card, wedding reception cards, enclosure cards, large white wedding envelopes (for sending out RSVP cards), and return address labels.
Of course, there are many other types of wedding invitations available. From save the date announcements to wedding programs, wedding menus, and even wedding favors. Your options are endless!
Make Your Wedding Invitations Truly Personal
As you can see, there are numerous ways to address wedding invitations, but we hope this guide simplified what could have been a complicated process.
Let us know if there’s anything we missed or would like to share. Meanwhile, sign up for our email list below and join the hundreds of people who receive these helpful blog posts each month. We’ll send you an update when new content is available, so you don’t miss out on any wedding tips!
Do you need help with addressing your wedding invitations? If you’re a bride or groom, this task can be intimidating. There are standard guidelines that govern how you should address your invitations, but sometimes it’s hard to decipher them. Fortunately, we’ve gathered all the information you’ll need perfectly to address your wedding invitations!
Table of Contents:
- How to Address Wedding Invitations to Family
- How to Address Wedding Invitations to Friends
- How to Address Wedding Invitations to Couples
- Your Questions About Wedding Invitations Answered
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Family (With or Without Children)
When inviting families, it’s polite to list the parents’ names on the outer part of the envelope and everyone else on the inside.
Outer Envelope Example:
“The Norman Family” or “Mr. and Mrs. Alan Norman” or “Mr. Alan Norman and Mrs. Emily Norman”
Inner Envelope Example:
“Mr. and Mrs. Alan Norman, Roger(Child), Chance(Child), Miss Jennifer(Child)”
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Children
If you invite children as guests, it may seem natural to address the invitations directly to them. However, invitations should be addressed to the child’s parents or guardians.
A good rule of thumb: Wedding invitations are traditionally addressed to the parents of children or guardians if they’re under 18 years old and living at home with their parent(s).
Outer Envelope Example:
“Mr. and Mrs. James Byrne”
Inner Envelope Example:
“Mr. and Mrs. James Byrne
Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany”
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Friends
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Single Female Friends:
When sending wedding invitations to your single female friends, you should address them as “Ms.” if she is over eighteen. If not, use “Miss.”
Outer Envelope Example:
“Ms. Stephanie Estrada” or “Miss Stephanie Estrada” (if she is younger than 18)
Inner Envelope Example:
“Ms. Estrada” or “Miss Estrada” or “Stephanie”
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Single Male Friends
When sending wedding invitations to your single male friends, use “Mr.”
Outer Envelope Example:
“Mr. James Lee.”
Inner Envelope Example:
“Mr. Lee” or “James”
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Unmarried Couples
When sending wedding invitations to couples, address both guests.
Outer Envelope Example:
“Mr. Stanley Sherman and Ms. Amanda Vargas”
Inner Envelope Example:
“Mr. Sherman and Ms. Vargas” or “Stanley and Amanda”
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Couples
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Married Couples with The Same Last Name
When sending wedding invitations to married couples with the same last name, use appropriate titles and spell out the husband’s first and last name.
Outer Envelope Example:
“Mr. and Mrs. Thomas O’Reilly”
Inner Envelope Example:
“Mr. and Mrs. O’Reilly or “Thomas and Sarah”
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Couples of the Same-Sex
If you’re sending invitations to same-sex couples, you use both their last names on the wedding invitation list.
Outer Envelope Example:
“Mr. David Ferguson & Mr. Matthew Stone”
Inner Envelope Example:
“Mr. David Ferguson & Mr. Matthew Stone or “David and Matthew”
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Couples With Different Last Names
If you’re sending invitations to married couples with different last names, write their names on the same line with the woman’s name first.
Outer Envelope Example:
“Mrs. Maria Ward and Mr. David Vaughan”
Inner Envelope Example:
“Ms. Ward and Mr. Vaughan” or “Maria and David”
How to Address Wedding Invitations to Couples with a Hyphenated Last Name
If you’re sending invitations to couples with hyphenated last names, address them in the same manner as if they were one person. It doesn’t matter which partner chooses to adopt this naming convention – Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss will work just fine.
Outer Envelope Example:
“Mr. Marcus Patel and Mr. Brian Crosby-Patel”
Inner Envelope Example:
“Mr. Patel and Mr. Crosby-Patel” or “Marcus and Brian”
Your Questions About Wedding Invitations Answered
Is It OK to Hand Address Wedding Invitations?
Yes, wedding invitations can be hand addressed. However, it’s not a good idea if you’re sending out more than 20 sets of wedding invitations(thank us later).
Do You Put Your Return Address On Wedding Invitations?
If you’re hand addressing wedding invitations, it’s unnecessary to put your return address on the invitation. However, suppose you’re using pre-printed envelopes or sending out more than 20 sets of wedding invitations. In that case, add your return address to avoid confusion and make sure that people know where to send wedding gifts and thank you cards.
How Early Can I Send Out My Wedding Invitations?
It’s never too early to send wedding invitations. Usually, you can wait until around six months before the wedding date if you send them out in the mail.
What is the Cost & How Much Should I Spend on Wedding Invitations?
You can spend as little or as much as you want on wedding invitations. 100 wedding invitations cost on average $250 – $400. But, if you are ordering them online, you might find sets for less than that!
There are several diverse styles and colors available in wedding invitation sets, leaving you with plenty of variety. Wedding invitation sets usually come with an envelope (for sending out wedding invitations), RSVP card, wedding reception cards, enclosure cards, large white wedding envelopes (for sending out RSVP cards), and return address labels.
Of course, there are many other types of wedding invitations available. From save the date announcements to wedding programs, wedding menus, and even wedding favors. Your options are endless!
Make Your Wedding Invitations Truly Personal
As you can see, there are numerous ways to address wedding invitations, but we hope this guide simplified what could have been a complicated process.
Let us know if there’s anything we missed or would like to share. Meanwhile, sign up for our email list below and join the hundreds of people who receive these helpful blog posts each month. We’ll send you an update when new content is available, so you don’t miss out on any wedding tips!
