Determining the appropriate way to address your wedding-invitation envelopes can be a tricky process. As a rule of thumb, the outer envelope of your wedding invitation should be more formal, titles and full names, while the inner envelope is more informal, leaving out first names or titles and last names (if you're very close to the guest). Find even more ways to address your wedding-invitation envelopes below.
Quick Links
How to address an envelope to:
> A married couple with different last names
> An unmarried couple living together
> A family
To a Married Couple
On the outer envelope:
Mr. John and Mrs. Samantha Holt
Or
Mr. and Mrs. John Holt
On the inner envelope:
Mr. and Mrs. Holt
Or
John and Samantha
To a Married Couple Who Uses Different Last Names
List the person you're closest with first on the outer and inner envelopes. If you're similarly acquainted with both, list them in alphabetical order.
On the outer envelope:
Mr. John Holt and Mrs. Samantha Thuente
On the inner envelope:
Mr. Holt and Mrs. Thuente
Or
John and Samantha
To an Unmarried Couple Living Together
As with a married couple, both names should be included on the envelopes, but in this case, each name gets its own line.
On the outer envelope:
Mr. Joseph Hirsch
Ms. Rebecca Strecker
On the inner envelope:
Mr. Hirsch
Ms. Strecker
To a Same-Sex Couple
Use the same rules you would for any other unmarried or married couple. If the couple is married, list the names on the same line.
On the outer envelope:
Ms. Celine Elgin and Ms. Jacqueline Purcell
Or list their full names without titles:
Celine Elgin and Jacqueline Purcell
On the inner envelope:
Ms. Elgin and Ms. Purcell
Or
Celine and Jacqueline
To a Married Woman Doctor or Two Married Doctors
If a woman uses her maiden name professionally and socially, the envelopes should read:
On the outer envelope:
Dr. Anne Barker and Mr. Peter Underwood
If she uses her husband's name socially:
Dr. Anne and Mr. Peter Underwood
If both parties are doctors, you can address the outer envelope:
Doctors Anne and Peter Underwood
On the inner envelope:
Dr. Barker and Mr. Underwood
Or
The Doctors Underwood
To Those With Other Distinguished Titles
Apply the same rules for military personnel, judges, reverends, and so forth that you use for doctors. If both titles don't fit on one line, indent the second line.
On the outer envelope:
The Honorable Jane Kelly and Lieutenant Jonathan Kelly, U.S. Navy
Or
Captains Jane and Jonathan Kelly,
U.S. Navy
On the inner envelope:
Judge Kelly and Lieutenant Kelly, U.S. Navy
Or
The Captains Kelly
To Children and Families
Younger guests can be included on the inner envelope of their parents' invitation by their name(s)—they should not be addressed on the outer envelope. For girls under 18, use “Miss." Boys don't need a title until they're 18—then they're addressed as “Mr."
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham
Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany and Miss Kelly
To Children 18 and Older
They should receive their own invitations (unless they live at home with mom and dad).
On the outer envelope:
Ms. Audrey Abraham
Or
Mr. Jack Abraham
On the inner envelope:
Ms. Abraham
Or
Mr. Abraham
Note: If you don't include each child's name, you're implying that children are not invited. That said, don't be surprised if some guests still mistakenly assume their children are welcome. If you're concerned this will happen with your guests, ask your immediate family and bridal party to help spread the word that the wedding will be adults only. In the end, you may have to follow up with guests who don't get the message via phone to gently explain the situation.
