Invitation Etiquette

Calligraphy By Cami

Invitation Etiquette

Your invitations help set the tone for your event. It is the first impression many people will have and you want to make sure it is a good one.

When sending your list of addresses to me, it is most important that you have each address done exactly how it should be on the envelope. I will copy exactly what you have, letter for letter, so make sure it is all spelled correctly and with proper invitation etiquette.

Also, be sure to include an extra 10 - 15% of blank envelopes to compensate for errors. Occasionally, my pen will catch or I will spell something wrong and have to start over.

I do require a typed list. I accept both Word and Excel format through email or you can include a hard copy with your envelopes. Which ever you are most comfortable with. When having me address invitations that include an inside envelope, please be sure to include that information as well.

Click here for Double Envelope List Examples

Click here for Single Envelope List Examples

Here are a few guidelines to help you prepare your guest list for me to use when addressing your invitations:

Do not use any abbreviation except for Mr., Mrs., Ms., Jr., Sr., and c/o. (Military abbreviations are acceptable if too long to fit on the envelope)
Do not use any symbols such as #, or &.
Do not use initials in people's names. Either spell out the whole thing or drop it completely.
Do not use the zip + 4, it doesn't look personal.
Only parents are listed on outer envelope - all children are listed on the inner envelope.
If there are children over 18 still living in the house with their parents, they should get their own invitation.
"and Family" is not appropriate and every attempt should be made to find out the names of the children invited.
You can be formal or informal on your inside envelope - depending on the tone of your wedding. Formal example: Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Informal example: Mom and Dad
"and Guest" is only included on the inside envelope. It is always optional so do not feel obligated to add this to your single guests' envelopes unless your budget allows.
All the names of the states should be spelled out completely.
Numbered streets should be spelled out as well. 23rd Street should be Twenty-Third Street.
Spell out all parts of the street names. Example: South not S., Apartment - not Apt., and Street - not St.
Technically there is no Ms. Many older unmarried women are uncomfortable with Miss, but your younger single friends should be listed as Miss.
Limit the lines on the outer envelope to 5 and the inner to 3. If it starts to look too crowded, break it up into 2 invitations.
The outer envelope is just the delivery information - only the owners or main residents. The inner envelope conveys exactly who is invited.
Unless it is absolutely necessary, do not mail your wedding invitations to a work address. Wedding invitations should be sent to home addresses.
Widows are still considered Mrs. out of respect for their deceased husbands.

Many of the contemporary invitations do not include an inner envelope. Therefore, all of your information needs to be placed on the single envelope. It is okay to put "and Family" or "and Guest" on the outer envelope - if no inner is provided.

If you have a question about any of your addresses, please feel free to contact me and I will help you out.

	Outer Envelope		Inner Envelope
Single Guests
Unmarried Female	Miss Kelsey Smith		Miss Smith (and Guest) Kelsey (and Guest)
	Ms. Kelsey Smith		Ms. Smith (and Guest)
Divorced Female, kept married name	Mrs. Kelsey Jones		Mrs. Smith (and Guest) Kelsey (and Guest)
Divorced Female, back to maiden name	Miss Kelsey Smith or Ms. Kelsey Smith		Miss Smith (and Guest) or Ms. Smith (and Guest)
Widowed Female	Mrs. Kelsey Jones or Mrs. Tyler Jones		Mrs. Jones (and Guest)
Children
Children under 18	Do not put on outer envelope. Only list parents		1 girl – and Anne 1 boy – and Jarod 2 or more children: Jarod and Anne – list by age, oldest to youngest
Children 18 and older should have their own invitation	Miss Anne Bennett or Mr. Jarod Bennett		Miss Bennett (and Guest) or Mr. Bennett (and Guest) Less formal weddings you can: Anne (and Guest) Jarod (and Guest)
Couples
Unmarried couples who do not live together	Miss Anne Bennett The only name on the outer should be the person who lives at the address		Miss Bennett Mr. Adams or Anne and Kyle
Unmarried couples who live together	Miss Anne Bennett Mr. Kyle Adams		Miss Bennett Mr. Adams or Anne and Kyle
Married couples – notice the use of “and” to signify marriage in the following	Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Adams		Mr. and Mrs. Adams or Anne and Kyle if you want to be less formal
Married couple – she kept maiden name	Mrs. Anne Bennett and Mr. Kyle Adams		Mrs. Bennett and Mr. Adams
Married couple – she has hyphenated last name	Mrs. Anne Bennett – Adams and Mr. Kyle Adams		Mrs. Bennett-Adams and Mr. Adams
Married couple – she has a professional title, he doesn’t	Doctor Anne Adams and Mr. Kyle Adams		Doctor Adams and Mr. Adams
Married couple – both are doctors	The Doctors Adams		The Doctors Adams
Married couple – both are doctors, different last names	Doctor Anne Bennett and Doctor Kyle Adams		Doctor Bennett and Doctor Adams
Same sex couples – list in alphabetical order by last name	Mr. Tyler Smith Mr. Michael White		Mr. Smith Mr. White
Miscellaneous
	The Honorable and Mrs. Edward Jones		Judge and Mrs. Edward Jones
		Reverend and Mrs. Edward Jones	Reverend and Mrs. Jones