You’ve got your beautiful wedding invitations all ready to post. Now, you just need to address your wedding envelopes. So, what is the best etiquette? Whether you’re having a formal wedding or an intimate backyard wedding, it’s still important to have consistency when addressing your envelopes.
Wedding envelope addressing etiquette is about respecting your guests. So, how you write out the names is based on the formality of your wedding and how people prefer to be called. So choose the best style to reflect you and your guests. Below is some advice on the best approach.
Invitees
Your envelope should include all the names of the guests invited. Most wedding invitations nowadays don’t have the guest names on them. So, the way to make it clear is by putting the invitees names on the envelope. For example, if you are not inviting children, don’t include their names.
A casual wedding
If you are having a casual, friendly wedding, it is totally fine to use just names without titles such as “Claire and Alex” , “Aunty Samantha and Uncle Bob” or Clare and Alex Brookes”. However, just be careful if some people in your family are more conservative. They may think you are being disrespectful if you don’t use titles.
A more formal wedding
For a more formal wedding write the guests entire names on the envelopes with titles. Address married couples as “Mr and Mrs” followed by the husband’s first and last name. It’s also fine to list both full names. When a woman keeps her maiden name or for an unmarried couple living together, the names are written in alphabetical order such as “Ms. Sarah Jones and Mr. Joshua Samson”.
Wedding Envelope Addressing Examples
Here are both formal and contemporary examples of how to address your wedding envelopes.
A married couple
List the person you’re closest with first. If you’re friends with both, list them in alphabetical order.
Formal
Mr John and Mrs Emma Hagen
Mrs and Mrs Clare and Jane Smythe
Mr and Mrs John Hagen
Mr and Mrs Hagen
Contemporary
Emma and John Hagen
Emma and John
A married or unmarried couple with different last names
Address an unmarried woman as “Ms”.
Formal
Mr John Hagen and Ms Emma Pearce-Hagen
Mr Joe Brooks and Mr John D’Angelo
Contemporary
Joe Brookes and John D’Angelo
A family
When you are inviting a family you can write “The Hagen Family” but only do this if you are sure they understand it is immediate family only. You don’t want a situation where guests bring extended family, aunts, uncles and all cousins as well :-). If you are adding the children’s names, write them in order from oldest to youngest child.
A married couple and their children
Formal
The Hagen Family
Mr and Mrs Hagen, Miss Lettie, Miss Charlotte, Master Sam
Mr and Mrs Hagen, Lettie, Charlotte, Sam
Contemporary
The Hagen Family
John and Emma Hagen, Lettie, Charlotte, Sam
An unmarried couple and their children
Formal
Mr John Hagen and Ms Emma Pearce, Miss Lettie, Miss Charlotte, Master Sam
Mr John Hagen and Ms Emma Pearce, Lettie, Charlotte, Sam
Contemporary
John Hagen and Emma Pearce, Lettie, Charlotte, Sam
John and Emma, Lettie, Charlotte, Sam
A single female or male
If they are over 18 you can use Ms or Mr. Under 18 year olds don’t need a title but you can add Miss or Master if you would like to be more formal.
Formal
Ms Amy Chen
Mr James Chen
Contemporary
Amy Chen
James Chen
A single friend with a guest
If you are inviting a guest with a partner you haven’t met, it is a good idea to try and find out their name. Otherwise, you can write ‘and guest’ on the envelope. That way it is clear they are able to invite someone to accompany them.
Formal
Ms Emily Young and guest
Contemporary
Emily Young and guest
Emily and guest
Other titles
Include titles like “Dr.,” “PhD,” “Esq.,” where appropriate.
Doctor Susy D’Angelo and Mr James Gale
Doctor and Mrs. John and Ella Smythe
Different Cultures
If you are not sure of the correct way of addressing guests from other cultures, it is okay to check with your guest. Some cultures use different titles to show respect and status in the family.
Be kind on yourself
Although it can be stressful to gather all your guests’ names and addresses, don’t worry too much if you’re not completely sure of the etiquette. Remember these are your nearest and dearest guests and they will not be too worried by an honest mistake.
I hope you enjoyed the how to address your wedding envelopes guide. All the best with your wedding envelope addressing!
If you would like to have your envelopes written in calligraphy, please have a look here. And if you want to add a pretty stamp to complement your envelope, please get in touch to enquire about personalising a stamp especially for you.
