A 2024 Guide to Addressing Your Guest Envelopes

How to address envelopes is probably the area that I receive the most questions about. The most common questions are:

- How do I address a wedding envelope with a guest?

- How do I address an envelope for a same sex couple?

- How do I address an envelope for a non-binary guest?

- How do I address a wedding invitation to a family?

- How do I address a wedding invitation to an engaged couple?

- How do I address a wedding invitation to two doctors?

- If I am inviting an unmarried couple, whose name do I write first?

Regardless of whether you are having your guest addresses printed or if we are hiring a calligrapher to make art out of your envelopes, the same rules apply if you are hosting a traditional wedding. In this situation, envelopes are addressed formally. Almost nothing gets abbreviated. Beyond that, how you address the envelopes is another area where being a good host is important. You want your guests to feel comfortable and included. So here are some good tips and answers to the questions above.

How to Address a Wedding Envelope with a Guest?

If aware of the guest's name, include it to demonstrate a personal touch and make them feel welcome.

• How do I address a wedding envelope for a person being invited with a guest?

  • If you know the name of your friend or family member's guest, include it. This is one of the ways you can make your guests feel comfortable and included. Show that you are interested in who they would be bringing.

• How to Address a Wedding Invitation to a Family?

  • On a single envelope, list parents' names on one line and children on the next.

  • With double envelopes, parents' names go on the outer envelope, and children's names under the parents on the inner envelope. If unsure of children's names, "and family" can be added after parents' names.

• How to Address a Wedding Invitation to an Engaged Couple?

  • For anticipated name changes, use "The Future Mr. and Mrs. (last name)."

  • If they retain their last names, list them on separate lines or recognize their impending marriage with "the soon-to-be-married" and both names with titles on one line.

• How to Address a Wedding Invitation to Two Doctors?

  • If different last names, use Dr. (first name | last name) and Dr. (first name | last name) on the same line.

  • If sharing the same last name, use the Doctors (last name).

• If Inviting an Unmarried Couple, Whose Name Do I Write First?

  • Prioritize the person you would invite, whether the couple is together or not.

How to Address an Envelope for a Same-Sex Couple?

• If unmarried, address each person individually on separate lines.

• For married couples retaining separate last names, list their names on the same line with "and" between.

• For couples sharing the same last name, options include writing both names on the same line or using French plural abbreviations.

• How to Address an Envelope for a Non-Binary Guest? Knowing their preferred pronouns is crucial. Use traditional titles like Mr. or Ms. for 'he' or 'she,' and Mx. for a gender-neutral title if they use 'they' as a pronoun.

There are very traditional ways to address your envelopes. I always advise my clients that they can follow tradition if that’s what important to them. More often over the past few years, my clients are opting for a hybrid option for addressing their envelopes. Most couples are using a formal traditional format, but adding the names of both parties in a couple. Many couples are addressing envelopes as “Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Amy Hammond” as opposed to “Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hammond”. This is all personal preference; do what feels right to you.

Addressing envelopes can be a challenge at times, but the aim is to be a gracious host; ensuring guests feel welcomed and included. Accurate spelling and personal touches go a long way in making everyone excited to receive your invitation.

Further reading: Emily Post and Brides Magazine