How to Address Wedding Invitations
Your wedding stationery suite is looking good and ready to go! But are you unsure about the do's and don'ts are when it comes to assembling each piece and addressing your envelopes?
We’ve rounded up the must-know wedding invitation tips to guide you through it.
First things first, make sure the suite is properly assembling before you enclose that envelope and seal it tight!
Generally, smaller cards are placed above larger cards.
Here’s the order you should be following (from top to bottom):
Response Card
Response Envelope
Reception Card
Information Card
Main Invitation
*If some of these pieces do not apply to you, just skip. The order remains the same.
2. Next, double (and triple) check each guest’s name is spelled correctly and each address is complete and correct.​
​THINGS TO REMEMBER:
1. All names should include proper titles. (Mr./Mrs./Doctor) 2. Don’t abbreviate address details:
St. = Street Dr. = Drive Ln. = Lane Apt. = Apartment UK = United Kingdom
3. If a child (over the age of 18) is still living at home with parents, they should receive their own individually addressed invitation.
4. Single women over the age of 18 should be addressed as "Ms.". "Miss" is only used for young girls under 18.
5. As a general rule of thumb, the outer envelope 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 guests). For more information on this, check out our guide on wedding suites here.
6. If you’re mailing the invitations from abroad and are using an international shipping company, don’t forget to also have yours guests’ contact numbers on hand. You’ll need this when filling out the order form.
7. Count carefully. Remember you only need one invitation suite per household.
8. Save time by printing addresses directly on your envelopes.
9. *Warning* Do not lick your envelopes! Use water and a sponge or seals.
10. Make sure the RSVP due date allows sufficient time for your guests to confirm their attendance.
SCENARIOS
Single woman
Ms. Sarah Lewis
Single Woman & Date
Ms. Sylvia De Vries and Guest
Single Man
Mr. Thomas Maguire
Single Man & Date
Mr. Bill Dixon and Guest
Unmarried Couple Living Together
Ms. Alicia Wu and Mr. Nick Passarelli
Married Couple
Mr. and Mrs. Jason Ortega
Married Couple (Wife kept Maiden Name)
Ms. Maria Wright and Mr. Jason Ortega
Married Couple with Children (under 18)
Mr. and Mrs. David Lemis
Ruby and Liam
Married Couple (Wife is a Doctor)
Doctor Christina Smith and Mr. Henry Govada
Married Couple (Husband is a Doctor)
Doctor and Mrs. Harry Govada
Married Couple (Both Doctors)
Doctor Michael Neesson and Doctor Laura Neeson
Widow
Mrs. Anna Wilson
FOR THE TRUE TRADITIONALIST
You may consider hiring a professional calligrapher to address your envelopes, depending on the formality of your event (or your handwriting). Note that calligraphers will need at least two to three weeks beforehand. You’ll also need to provide a well-organised guest list, complete with full addresses and professional titles. This can take time to confirm and gather, so its important not to wait until the last minute to get started.
If you're looking for an expert calligrapher, Your Big Day works with a number of artists as part of our dealer/designer network. Contact us today to find out more!
#weddingplanning #etiquette #weddinginspiration #weddingstationery #addressingguests
