Inner & Outer envelope addressing tips
ENVELOPE ADDRESSING
Envelope addressing might look more complicated than you would think!
However, by following some simple rules, it’s quite easy to do it correctly and achieve stunning results.
Please read the following tips before filling out the accompanying Excel file.
You’ll find these tips remove a lot of the ambiguity and make it straightforward to include the correct details.
Important information:
We will apply the text to the envelopes exactly how they are written in the excel document.
We do not proofread nor spell-check or modify the text you write there in any way.
Please pay special attention to alternative spellings, foreign words, and accents.
Make sure that you double-check the spelling of your guests’ names before we start addressing the envelopes.
Traditional Etiquette for addressing Outer Envelopes:
Never use abbreviations, except for titles. E.g. Mr., Mrs., or Ms.
Write out the words "Street," "Boulevard," "Avenue," etc.
Do not abbreviate state names.
Avoid using symbols.
Spell out the word "and."
Avoid using Initials, where possible.
Only use numbers when writing house numbers and zip codes.
INVITATION ENVELOPE
The outer envelope lists the household name and mailing address of your guests.
Using double envelopes gives your invitation an additional layer of protection from the mail system. The inner envelope stays clean and pristine, allowing your guests to use it as a pocket for your suite and also to save as a keepsake.
INNER ENVELOPE
Each of your invited guests will be individually listed on the inner envelope. This creates an intimate and personalized feel and also clearly indicates who's invited to the wedding. If you haven’t chosen this option and you would like us to add it know, please email us. Otherwise, you just need to fill out the Invitation envelope details.
The typical format for addressing your guests, depending on their familial status:
To address a MARRIED COUPLE
This is the most traditional form of addressing an invitation. Should you choose to include both persons’ names, the outer envelope can be addressed as
Mr. and Mrs. <HIS FIRST NAME> <LAST NAME>.Mr. and Mrs. John Smith (Invitation envelope)
Mr. and Mrs. Smith or John and Kate (Inner Envelope)
TO A MARRIED COUPLE, DIFFERENT LAST NAMES
It’s best to list the person to whom you’re closest first on the outer and inner envelopes. If you know each one as well as the other, you may write them in alphabetical order.
Mr. John Smith and
Mrs. Kate Harris (Invitation envelope)Mr. Smith and Mrs, Harris or John and Kate (Inner Envelope)
TO AN UNMARRIED COUPLE
Living Together:
Similar to the address for a married couple, both names should be included on the envelopes. Traditionally, when last names are different, the woman’s name is written first. The word “and” implies marriage, so don't add it.
Ms. Kate Harris
Mr. John Smith (Invitation envelope)Mr. Smith
Ms. Harris or John and Kate (Inner Envelope)
Unmarried Couple:
For an unmarried couple not living together, consider sending 2 separate invitations.
HOW TO ADD “AND GUEST”
If you are inviting someone with a plus-one, try to find out the name and address of their date. If that’s not possible, address the outside envelope to the primary invitee, with the inner envelope reading “Mr. John Smith and Guest.” If you know whom he or she will be bringing, it’s more personal to include that person’s name on a separate line.
Mr. John Smith
and Guest (Invitation envelope)Mr. Smith
and Guest or
John and Kate (Inner Envelope)
A SAME-SEX COUPLE
Use the same rules you would for any other unmarried or married couple. You can list the person you are closest to first, or simply address them in alphabetical order.
TO THOSE WITH DISTINGUISHED TITLES
If only one in the couple has a distinguished title, it is proper to write his or her name and title first. If the wife has a professional title, you will address her name depending on whether or not she uses her maiden name professionally.
Dr. Kate Maria and
Mr. John Smith (Invitation envelope)Dr. Maria and
Mr. Smith
orDr. and Mr. Smith (Inner Envelope)
If both parties are doctors with different last names, both their names can be written on the inner and outer envelopes.
Dr. John Smith and
Dr. Kate Harris (Invitation envelope)Dr. Smith and
Dr. Harris (Inner Envelope)
If both parties are doctors with the same last name, you may address the envelopes as follows:
The Doctors Smith (Invitation & Inner envelope)
Many of the same rules that you use for doctors also apply to military personnel, judges, reverends, etc. If both parties have distinguished titles, it is best to write the person with the highest rank first.
Also, make a note to add “The Honorable” to a title in the case of elected government positions, excluding the President.
TO A DIVORCED FEMALE
The best practice is to address her as either Mrs. or Ms. and use her maiden name if she doesn’t use her former husband’s surname. However, with divorced and widowed guests, check to see if they are still using their married names.
Mrs. Kate Maria or Ms. Kate Maria (Invitation envelope)
Mrs. Maria or Ms. Maria (Inner Envelope)
TO A WIDOW or WIDOWER
Traditionally, you would use the deceased husband’s last name in the address, as well as his first name. However, this depends greatly on her personal preference and what she will find respectful. Some choose to use their own first name, and sometimes also their own last name. If you’re unsure, it’s best to ask what she prefers.
Mrs. John Smith or
Mrs. Kate Smith (Invitation envelope)Mrs. Smith (Inner Envelope)
TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Younger guests can be included on the inner envelope of their parents’ invitation listed by first name. However, children are normally not addressed on the outer envelope. For girls under 18, you’ll want to use “Miss.” Boys don’t require a title until they’re 18.
Mr. and Mrs. John Smith or
The Smith Family (Invitation envelope)John, Kate, Miss Sophie, and Miss Evelyn (Inner Envelope)
Note: If you don't include each child's name on the inner envelope, 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 for adults only and add the message to your wedding website. In the end, you may have to follow up with guests who don't get the message via phone to gently explain the situation.
TO PEOPLE 18 AND OLDER
Unless they live at home with their parents, they should receive their own invitations.
SINGLE GUESTS
Ms. Kate Harris
Mr. John Smith
Usually ‘Miss’ is for girls under 18
SAMPLE OF ADDRESSING FOR DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
USA
Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
216 Logan Lane (St. number and St. name)
Denver, Colorado 80265 (City, State, and Zip Code)
United States of America
United Kingdom
Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
87 Crown Street (St. number and St. name)
London (City)
SW8 5WH (Postal code with capital letters)
United Kingdom (Country)
Ireland
Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
45 O’connell Street
Co. Dublin (County)
A75 YW35 (Postcode/ Eircode)
Ireland (Country)
France
Mr. and Mrs. John SMITH (it’s common to write a person's last name in all caps in France)
67 rue Pierre De Coubertin (St. number and St. name)
75006 PARIS (Postcode and City)
France
Rest of Europe
Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
Brandenburgische Straße 121 (St. name and St. number)
12049 Berlin (Postcode and City)
Germany (Country)
Spain
Sr. Juan López y Sra. María Fernández
Calle de Simón Hernández, 62, 2°, 4B (C/St. Name, St. number, floor°, Apt. number)
28934 Mostoles (Postcode and Town name)
Madrid (Name of the province)
Spain (Country)
In Spain, traditional etiquette for addressing envelopes can vary based on the relationship of the recipients. Here's a summary of the general protocol:
Married Couples:
The man's name is traditionally written first, followed by the woman's. This follows the more formal and conventional Spanish custom.
Example:
Sr. Juan López y Sra. María Fernández
If you're being very formal or addressing someone with titles, you might see:
Sr. D. Juan López y Sra. Dña. María Fernández ("D." and "Dña." stand for Don and Doña, equivalent to "Mr." and "Mrs." in a more formal context.)
Unmarried Couples:
The woman's name is written first, followed by the man's. This is a more modern approach that reflects equality and partnership when marriage is not involved.
Example:
Sra. Ana Martínez y Sr. Carlos Gómez
PLEASE NOTE
For same-sex couples or other arrangements, etiquette depends on personal preferences, but alphabetical order or considering the main invitee is common.
Titles such as Sr./Sra. (Mr./Mrs.) are often used in formal contexts but can be omitted in casual invitations.
Make sure to include the address below the names, typically formatted as:
Calle/Plaza, House Number, Floor
Postal Code - City, Province
RETURN ADDRESS
To be used in the return of the Wedding Envelope
The protocol specifies not to mention names on the return address, as traditionally the couple's names wouldn't appear together in print on an envelope before marriage.
However, from our experience not having the names specified may mean that any lost post may not be returned back to you.
As such, we'd recommend one of the following options:
The Harris-Smith Wedding
216 Logan Lane
Denver, Colorado 80265
United States of America
or
Ms. Kate Karris
Mr. John Smith
216 Logan Lane
Denver, Colorado 80265
United States of America
Final Note:
The above information is a suggestion only. For any concerns about the validity of postal addresses or their correctness for delivery, please contact your nearest postal service or courier for confirmation before sending. Lettering by GRG cannot be held responsible for the non-delivery of any guest invitations.
