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Guidelines for addressing invitations
We recommend that you start addressing your envelopes at least three months before your wedding, and preferably four months if you are using calligraphy or if your guest list is above 200.
You may want to ask your maid of honor or bridesmaids to help you with this time-consuming task, as this is traditionally part of their responsibilities. Organize a luncheon or late afternoon get-together with hors d'oeuvres and make a party out of it! If you are working with a wedding consultant, she can also help you address invitations.
There are typically two envelopes that need to be addressed for wedding invitations: an inner envelope and an outer envelope. The inner envelope is placed unsealed inside the outer envelope, with the flap away from the person inserting it.
The invitation and all enclosures are placed inside the inner envelope facing the back flap. The inner envelope contains the name (or names) of the person (or people) who are invited to the ceremony and/or reception. The address is not included on the inner envelope.
The outer envelope contains the name (or names) and address of the person (or people) to whom the inner envelope belongs.
Use the guidelines below to help you properly address both the inner and outer envelopes.
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SITUATION
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INNER ENVELOPE
(no first name or address)
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OUTER ENVELOPE
(has first name and address)
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Husband and Wife
(with same surname) |
Mr. and Mrs. Smith |
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Smith
(use middle name, if known) |
Husband and Wife
(with different surnames) |
Ms. Banks and Mr. Smith
(wife first) |
Ms. Anita BanksMr. Thomas Smith
(wife's name above husband's) |
Husband and Wife
(wife has professional title) |
Dr. Smith and Mr. Smith |
Dr. Anita SmithMr. Thomas Smith
(wife's name & title above husband's) |
Husband and Wife
(with Children under 16) |
Mr. and Mrs. SmithJohn, Mary, and Glen (in order of age) |
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Smith |
Single Woman
(regardless of age) |
Miss/Ms. Smith |
Miss/Ms. Beverly Smith |
| Single Woman and Guest |
Miss/Ms. Smith
Mr. Jones
(or "and Guest") |
Miss/Ms. Beverly Smith |
| Single Man |
Mr. Jones
(Master for a young boy) |
Mr. William Jones |
| Single Man and Guest |
Mr. Jones
Miss/Ms. Smith
(or "and Guest") |
Mr. William Jones |
| Unmarried Couple Living Together |
Mr. Knight and Ms. Orlandi
(names listed alphabetically) |
Mr. Michael Knight
Ms. Paula Orlandi |
Two Sisters
(over 16) |
The Misses Smith |
The Misses Mary and Jane Smith(in order of age) |
Two Brothers
(over 16) |
The Messrs. Smith |
The Messrs. John and Glen Smith
(in order of age) |
Brothers & Sisters
(over 16) |
Mary, Jane, John & Glen
(name the girls first, in order of age) |
The Misses Smith
The Messrs. Smith
(name the girls first) |
A Brother and Sister
(over 16) |
Jane and John
(name the girl first) |
Miss Jane Smith and Mr. John Smith
(name the girl first) |
| Widow |
Mrs. Smith |
Mrs. William Smith |
| Divorcee |
Mrs. Smith |
Mrs. Jones Smith
(maiden name and former husband's surname) |
CALLIGRAPHY
Calligraphy is a form of elegant handwriting often used to address invitations for formal occasions. Traditional wedding invitations should be addressed in black or blue fountain pen.
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