Addressing Wedding Invitations

Easy to Do

Addressing wedding invitations can often be the most daunting part of the invitation process. How do I refer to Uncle Charlie? Should I send one to my 12 year old cousin? What about Aunt Sue and her partner?
Many different situations will come up when you start with your wedding invitation addressing.

Make sure (and double sure) to check the address and zip code. You don't want to have one of your beautiful invitations returned for an incorrect address with post office stamps all over it.

Many couples are choosing to forego 2 envelopes. If you choose to only use 1, address with the outer envelope suggestions. It's still recommended to use 2 for a formal wedding. If you are doing a casual Hawaii wedding, 1 should be fine. The protocol for addressing wedding invitations will not change based on a formal or informal wedding.

How to Address Wedding Invitations

Wife kept maiden name.
Outer: Mr. Jack Jones and Mrs. Mary Smith
Inner: Mr. Jones and Mrs. Smith

Married couple with wife assuming husband's name.
Outer: Mr. and Mrs. Jack Jones
Inner: Mr. and Mrs. Jones

Married couple with children invited.
Outer: Mr. and Mrs. Jack Jones and family (or may leave off family)
Inner: Mr. and Mrs. Jones and children's first names, oldest first

Married couple without children invited.
Outer: Mr. and Mrs. Jack Jones
Inner: Mr. and Mrs. Jones

Unmarried Couples

Live together. (alphabetically by last name)
Outer: Mr. Jack Jones and Miss (or Ms.) Mary Smith
Inner: Mr. Jones and Miss (or Ms.) Smith

Do not live together.
Outer: Mr. Jack Jones (send to closest friend of couple)
Inner: Mr. Jones and Miss (or Ms.) Smith

Single Guests

Unmarried female.
Outer: Miss (or Ms.) Mary Smith
Inner: Miss (or Ms.) Smith (and guest)

Unmarried male.
Outer: Mr. Jack Jones
Inner: Mr. Jones (and guest)

Same Sex Couples

Outer: Mr. Jack Jones and Mr. Jason Smith
Inner: Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith

Children

If under age 18, only list names on inner envelope.

Over 18
Send own invitation, and address as single guest.

This should cover most of your guests on your invitation guest list. If another comes up, use common sense and proper wedding invitation etiquette and you should be fine. After you are done addressing the wedding invitations, be sure to use some nice wedding stamps for the outer envelopes.


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