Envelope Addressing

Inner Envelopes

• Inner envelopes bear the title and last names of the specific people invited. It is acceptable to write familiar names for close family members.
  Examples:     Mr. and Mrs. Sonnek
  Aunt Mary and Uncle Phil
• The names of children who are 18 years old and younger should be written on separate lines below their parents’ names.
  Example:      Mr. and Mrs. Sonnek
  Leah Sonnek
  Logan Sonnek
• Children 19 years old or older who still live at home with their parents should receive their own invitation.
• If inner envelopes are not being used, the children’s names are written on the outer envelope below the names of their parents.

Outer Envelopes

• Outer envelopes should be addressed conventionally using titles and full names (first, middle, and last).
• Middle initials aren’t used, so either write out middle names (if known), or omit them.
• All titles should be written out, except “Mr.” and “Mrs.”
• All other words should be written out (Street, Saint, Post Office Box, North, Apartment, etc.). House numbers under twenty should be written out, as well.
• Proper etiquette indicates to write out the state name; however, the two-letter postal code abbreviation is also acceptable when dealing with limited space.

Samples of Addressing:

Married Couple

• Always addressed to both members of a married couple.
  Example:    Mr. and Mrs. José Anthony Angelil
  Fourteen MacArthur Way
  South Saint Paul, Minnesota 55075

Unmarried Couple – Living Together

• Addressed to both members of an unmarried couple who live at the same address.
  Example:   Ms. Amelia Redding and Mr. Jeffrey Burton
  25 Xavier Boulevard
  South Saint Paul, Minnesota 55075

Married Couple – Professional Titles

• If the woman uses her husband’s name socially:
  Example:    Doctor Kenya Boudin and Mr. Carter Boudin
• If the woman uses her maiden name both professionally and socially:
  Example:    Doctor Kenya Willaree and Mr. Carter Boudin
• If both are professionals:
  Examples:   Doctors Kenya and Carter Boudin

Including a Guest

• If using inner and outer envelopes:
  – Outer envelope reads: Mr. Stephen Richard Humphries
  – Inner envelope reads: Mr. Stephen Richard Humphries and Guest
• If you’re only using one envelope, include a short note with your invitation.
  Example: Dear Stephen, You are welcome to bring a guest to the wedding. Please let me know.
  Regards, Michelle.
  (If time allows and Stephen supplies the information, you can send his guest an invitation, too.)

Click here for our Calligraphy Guest Addressing