Invitation Etiquette – Part 3

ADDRESSING THE INVITATIONS

• Addresses should be handwritten in black ink for the most formal and traditional way. But, today, it is also acceptable to address the envelopes in the color of ink used on the invitation. The addresses should never be typed. However, machine calligraphy is becoming more acceptable today. Labels, on the other hand, should never be used.
• Abbreviations or initials should not be used when writing the names. The person’s middle name may be used if you like. If it is used, it should be written out in full.
• Titles are written out, as are Avenue, Street, the city and state.
• On the outside envelope, writing “The Johnson Family” is not proper. The couple’s name should be written out. For example: Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Robert Johnson
• Invite both members of a couple, even if you only know one of them. When inviting people who are married but the wife kept her maiden name, use both last names. For example:
Ms. Jennifer Ann Weber
Mr. Michael John Anderson
• The inner envelope should be addressed with the last name of a couple, such as “Mr. and Mrs. Johnson.” If children are invited who are under the age of 18, their first names should be written underneath the parent’s name, oldest to youngest. For example:
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson
John, Jane and Tom
• Very close relatives may be addressed by their first names on the inner envelope, such as “Uncle John and Aunt Sue.”
• If you are enclosing a reply card, remember to purchase stamps and place on each reply envelope. The reply envelope should be printed with the name and address of the person responsible for the wedding/reception.

Happy addressing.

photo credit: Martha Stewart Weddings