You’ve spent all this time and energy creating the perfect custom wedding invitation and now it’s time to polish your guest list and make sure your envelopes are addressed perfectly. Let’s dive into the etiquette of addressing wedding invitations in the way that suits your wedding and personality! 

Addressing Formal Wedding Invitations

If your wedding is on the formal side, your invitations will likely follow traditional rules. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Addressing Married Couples: Use “Mr. and Mrs. John Smith.” If they have different last names, use “Mr. John Smith and Mrs. Jane Doe.”
• Addressing Unmarried Couples: For a pair living together but not married, use “Mr. John Smith and Ms. Jane Doe.” 
• Addressing Single Guests: Use “Mr. John Smith” or “Ms. Jane Doe.” If your guest has a plus-one, make sure to mention “and guest” on the envelope.
  Addressing Single Guests with a Guest: Use “Mr. John Smith and Guest” or “Ms. Jane Doe and Guest”

Addressing Less Formal Wedding Invitations

If you’re going for a more relaxed vibe, your invitations can reflect that too.

• Addressing Couples: Feel free to use “John and Jane Smith” or “John Smith and Jane Smith”
• Addressing Single Guests: Simply use “John Smith” or “Jane Doe.” 
• Addressing Kids: If your wedding is family-friendly, include the kids’ names. For example, “John and Jane Smith and Family” or “The Smith Family.” For a more detailed approach, list each name including any children: “John, Emily, and Peter Smith.”

Special Scenarios

Wedding invitation addressing etiquette certainly isn’t always straightforward. Here are a few special cases:

• Stepparents: Include them as you would a biological parent if they’re involved in your life. For example, “Mr. and Mrs. Robert Johnson” if you’re inviting a stepparent and their spouse.
• Guests with Significant Others: If a guest has a new partner, it’s considerate to include “and guest” unless you’re familiar with the partner’s name. For example, “Ms. Emily Brown and Guest.”
• Titles: For formal invites, use professional titles if applicable, such as “Dr.” or “Professor.” For informal settings, you can skip them unless you feel they’re appropriate. If you are inviting a medical doctor, traditional etiquette says that you should spell out the word “doctor”. However, if you are inviting someone with a Ph. D., you use the abbreviation Dr.

Something to Remember…

• Proofread: It’s always a good idea to double-check spelling and names before sending out your invites. Errors can be awkward, and we want everything to be perfect!

Remember, the most important thing about addressing wedding invitations is to do it with care and consideration. Whether your wedding is formal or casual, the key is to make sure every guest feels valued and welcomed. Adding a personal touch to your invitations not only reflects your style but also ensures that everyone knows they’re special to you.

For more answers to wedding etiquette questions, check out Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette book