How to Address Wedding Invitations In Time

Check out our guide to addressing wedding invitation envelopes correctly—according to etiquette. Determining the appropriate way to address your wedding invitation envelopes can be a tricky process. As a rule of thumb, the outer envelope of your wedding invitation should be more formal, with titles and full names, while the inner envelope is more informal, leaving out first names or titles and last names (if you’re very close to the guest). Find even more ways to address your wedding invitation envelopes below.

A Married Couple

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List the person you’re closest with first on the outer and inner envelopes. If you’re similarly acquainted with both, list them in alphabetical order.

A Married Couple

On the outer envelope: Mr. John and Mrs. Samantha Holt Or Mr. and Mrs. John Holt On the inner envelope: Mr. and Mrs. Holt Or John and Samantha

A Married Couple With Different Last Names

List the person you’re closest with first on the outer and inner envelopes. If you’re similarly acquainted with both, list them in alphabetical order. On the outer envelope: Mr. John Holt and Mrs. Samantha Thuente On the inner envelope: Mr. Holt and Mrs. Thuente Or John and Samantha

An Unmarried Couple Living Together

As with a married couple, both names should be included on the envelopes, but in this case, each name gets its own line. On the outer envelope: Mr. Joseph Hirsch Ms. Rebecca Strecker On the inner envelope: Mr. Hirsch Ms. Strecker

A Same-Sex Couple

Use the same rules you would for any other unmarried or married couple. If the couple is married, list the names on the same line. On the outer envelope: Ms. Celine Elgin and Ms. Jacqueline Purcell Or Celine Elgin and Jacqueline Purcell On the inner envelope: Ms. Elgin and Ms. Purcell Or Celine and Jacqueline

A Married Woman Doctor or Two Married Doctors

If a woman uses her maiden name professionally and socially, the envelopes should read: On the outer envelope: Dr. Anne Barker and Mr. Peter Underwood If she uses her husband’s name socially: Dr. Anne and Mr. Peter Underwood If both parties are doctors, you can address the outer envelope: Doctors Anne and Peter Underwood On the inner envelope: Dr. Barker and Mr. Underwood Or The Doctors Underwood

Those With Other Distinguished Titles

Apply the same rules you use for doctors for military personnel, judges, reverends and so on. If both titles don’t fit on one line, indent the second line. On the outer envelope: The Honorable Jane Kelly and Lieutenant Jonathan Kelly, US Navy Or if they’re both captains in the military: Captains Jane and Jonathan Kelly, US Navy On the inner envelope: Judge Kelly and Lieutenant Kelly, US Navy Or The Captains Kelly

Children and Families

Younger guests can be included on the inner envelope of their parents’ invitation by their name(s)—they should not be addressed on the outer envelope. For girls under 18, use “Miss.” Boys don’t need a title until they’re 18—then they’re addressed as “Mr.” Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany and Miss Kelly Children 18 and Older They should receive their own invitations (unless they’re living at home with their parents). On the outer envelope: Ms. Audrey Abraham Or Mr. Jack Abraham On the inner envelope: Ms. Abraham Or Mr. Abraham