Envelope Addressing Tips

When it comes to wedding invitations, sometimes the etiquette of it all can seem a bit daunting. After all, you've likely never had to create an invitation with formal wording and proper etiquette before! Even if you're having an informal celebration, you still probably want to make your guests feel special and follow some basic etiquette guidelines.

When it comes time to stuff and seal your envelopes, you'll probably start asking yourself these questions:

Is it really necessary to include "Mr. and Mrs."? How do I let me guests know this is an adults-only event? What if I don't know my friend's boyfriend's name?

Here are the answers to those questions and then some!

Formal/Traditional Addressing Tips

Use titles when addressing (i.e. Mr. & Mrs; Dr.; Captain; etc.)
If possible, include the guest's proper name on the invitation - even if you've never met them. If you're unsure of the guest's name or don't know who the recipient plans to bring, you may simply write "and Guest"
If using inner and outer envelopes, the outer envelope should include the couple and the inner envelope should also include children's names, if children are invited
If you are sending an invitation to one household with different last names, write out each name separately (for instance, rather than Mr. and Mrs. John Smith you would address it as Mr. John Smith and Ms. Mary Jones)
If you are having an adults-only event, simply leave the children's names off the envelope(s)
If you are inviting guests who live in the same household, but aren't related (for instance, friends who are roommates), dating, or married, send an invitation to each member of the household
If a couple's children still live at home and they are 18 or older, send an invitation to both the parents, and the child(ren)
Consider hiring a calligrapher or have your designer print guest addresses on your envelopes for formal events
Consider your postage when mailing - custom postage, vintage postage, or a simple stamp that matches your envelope/invitation palette are all great options

Casual Addressing Tips

Titles are not necessary to include
If possible, include the guest's proper name on the invitation - even if you've never met them. If you're unsure of the guest's name or don't know who the recipient plans to bring, you may simply write "and Guest"
Inner envelopes are not necessary for casual events, so your outer envelope will be addressed to all individuals who are invited to the event
If you are having an adults-only event, simply leave the children's names off the invitation
If you are inviting guests who live in the same household, but aren't related (for instance, friends who are roommates), dating, or married, send an invitation to each member of the household
If a couple's children still live at home and they are 18 or older, send an invitation to both the parents, and the child(ren)
You may consider hiring a calligrapher or have your guests' addresses printed on the envelopes by your designer, but you may also handwrite them for a personal touch
Consider your postage when mailing - custom postage, vintage postage, or a simple stamp that matches your envelope/invitation palette are all great options

Not quite ready to think about your envelopes yet? See the Mega Guide to Wedding Invitation Wording for wording ideas, the Anatomy of a Wedding Invitation, or these Wedding Invitation Myths Debunked!

Photo courtesy of Becky Williamson Photography. Calligraphy by Prairie Letter Shop.