How to Address Wedding Invitations

If you’ve chosen a wedding date and venue, shared your save the dates, and settled on the perfect outfits for your big day, you’re probably ready to send your wedding invitations. While it might seem like a simple task at first, many couples feel lost when it comes to preparing and addressing invitations for their various guests. We’ve rounded up the information you need to know to streamline this process, including how to address your wedding invitations in a way that honors common etiquette.

Essential tips

• Use “Mx” for gender-neutral titles.
• The outer envelope lists the guests’ names and mailing addresses.
• The inner envelope lists who in the household is invited to the wedding and whether a single guest is allowed to bring a plus one.

Addressing married couples

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple, put both of their names on the same line. It’s customary to list the name of the person you know best first. If you’re close with both people, list their names in alphabetical order. Be sure to look into whether either guest still uses their maiden name.

On the outer envelope, include the couple’s first and last names. You’ll do this the same way for same-sex couples and heterosexual couples. For example:

John Williams and Davis Miller

Or

Mr. John Williams and Mr. Davis Miller

If the couple has the same last name…

John and Davis Williams

Or

Mr. and Mr. John Williams

On the inner envelope, include the first names or only the titles and surnames. For example:

John and Davis

Or

Mr. Williams and Mr. Miller

If the couple has the same last name…

Mr. and Mr. Williams

Addressing unmarried couples

When addressing a wedding invitation to an unmarried couple that lives together, list their names on separate lines on the envelope. The person you know best will go first.

On the outer envelope, include the couple’s first and last names. For example:

Ms. Cecily Garcia

Mr. Noah Smith

Or

Cecily Garcia

Noah Smith

On the inner envelope, include the first names or only the titles and surnames.

Cecily

Noah

Or

Ms. Garcia

Mr. Smith

Addressing plus ones

If you’re allowing guests to bring a plus one, only include the name of the primary guest on the outer envelope. On the inner envelope, include the name of the primary guest and the phrase “and Guest.” For example:

Logan Perez (outer envelope)

And

Logan Perez and Guest (inner envelope)

Addressing children’s names

Traditionally, children’s names are listed only on the inner envelope of their parent’s invitation. The title for a girl is “Miss,” and there is no official title for a boy. If the child is gender-neutral, use “Mx.” If you don’t list the children’s names, the implication is that children are not invited to the wedding.

On the outer envelope, write the family name or only the parents’ names. For example:

The Moores

Or

Mrs. and Mr. Moore

On the inner envelope, write the parents’ names first, followed by their children’s names. All family members go on the same line. For example:

Jennifer, William, Mx. Sam and Miss Bailey

Addressing children 18 and older

Children of guests who are over 18 and don’t live with their parents should receive a separate invitation. You can choose to use titles or leave them out.

On the outer envelope, include their full name. For example:

Mx. Mason Hernandez

Or

Mason Hernandez

On the inner envelope, include their last name and title or only their first name. For example:

Mx. Hernandez

Or

Mason

Addressing professional titles

When addressing a wedding invitation to someone like a doctor, it’s customary to use their professional title. You can use the doctor’s abbreviation or spell out the full title.

On the outer envelope, include the doctor’s name and the name of their spouse, if applicable. For example:

Dr. Laura Reed and Mr. Patrick Thomas

If both guests are doctors, you’d write…

Doctors Laura Reed and Patrick Thomas

On the inner envelope, only use the titles and surnames. For example:

Dr. Reed and Mr. Thomas

When both guests are doctors, the invitation will read…

Doctors Reed and Thomas

Addressing distinguished titles

Military personnel, judges, reverends, and those with other distinguished titles should have their titles mentioned on the wedding invitation. You can spell out the full title, or use an abbreviation like “Lt. Col.”, “Maj.”, or “Capt.” for those in the military, “Hon.” for judges, and “Rev.” for reverends.

On the outer envelope, include the full titles and names. For example:

Honorable Oliver Holmes and General Martin Fisher, US Army

For a reverend, you’d write…

Reverend Sally Lucas and James Lopez

If they’re both Reverends…

Reverends Lucas and Lopez

Addressing RSVP response cards

The last piece of addressing your wedding invitations is adding the return address for the RSVP response card. This card should be addressed to the person who is handling the guest list, which is often who’s hosting the wedding. It’s ideal to have the address printed on the wedding invitation envelope for the response card and include postage.

Addressing invitations for a casual wedding

If you’re having a casual wedding, it’s certainly your choice to skip formalities like titles and surnames. Note that if you have older guests expecting formalities, they may be thrown off by a wedding invitation that only includes their first names. Ultimately, though, remember it’s your wedding, and you get to choose how you address the invitations.

Additional tips

• Before you start addressing your wedding invitations, get organized by going through your guest list and ensuring you have the correct titles and surnames for everyone.
• Avoid using guest nicknames on formal invitations.
• Make your invitations extra special by handwriting them in calligraphy. You can also hire a calligrapher if you don’t trust your handwriting.
• Take your time searching for extra special invitations that exude your style.

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