How to set up your guest list and address your wedding invitations

Determining the appropriate way to address your wedding invitation envelopes can be a tricky process. As a rule of thumb, the outer envelope of your wedding invitation should be more formal, with titles and full names, while the inner envelope is more informal, leaving out first names or titles and last names (if you’re very close to the guest). Find even more ways to address your wedding invitation envelopes below.

Married Couple – Same last name

OUTER ENVELOPE	INNER ENVELOPE
Mr. John and Mrs. Samantha Holt Or Mr. and Mrs. John Holt	Mr. and Mrs. Holt Or John and Samantha

A Married Couple With Different Last Names

List the person you’re closest with first on the outer and inner envelopes. If you’re similarly acquainted with both, list them in alphabetical order.

OUTER ENVELOPE	INNER ENVELOPE
Mr. John Holt and Mrs. Samantha Thuente	Mr. Holt and Mrs. Thuente Or John and Samantha

An Unmarried Couple Living Together

As with a married couple, both names should be included on the envelopes, but in this case, each name gets its own line.

OUTER ENVELOPE	INNER ENVELOPE
Mr. Joseph Hirsch Ms. Rebecca Strecker	Mr. Hirsch Ms. Strecker

A Same-Sex Couple

Use the same rules you would for any other unmarried or married couple. If the couple is married, list the names on the same line.

OUTER ENVELOPE	INNER ENVELOPE
Ms. Celine Elgin and Ms. Jacqueline Purcell Or Celine Elgin and Jacqueline Purcell	Ms. Elgin and Ms. Purcell Or Celine and Jacqueline

A Married Woman Doctor or Two Married Doctors

OUTER ENVELOPE	INNER ENVELOPE
Dr. Anne Barker and Mr. Peter Underwood Or Dr. Anne and Mr. Peter Underwood Or Doctors Anne and Peter Underwood (for 2 doctors)	Dr. Barker and Mr. Underwood Or The Doctors Underwood

Those With Other Distinguished Titles

Apply the same rules you use for doctors for military personnel, judges, reverends and so on. If both titles don’t fit on one line, indent the second line.

OUTER ENVELOPE	INNER ENVELOPE
The Honorable Jane Kelly and Lieutenant Jonathan Kelly, US Navy	Judge Kelly and Lieutenant Kelly, US Navy

 

OUTER ENVELOPE	INNER ENVELOPE
Ms. Celine Elgin and Ms. Jacqueline Purcell Or Celine Elgin and Jacqueline Purcell	Ms. Elgin and Ms. Purcell Or Celine and Jacqueline

 

Children and Families

Younger guests can be included on the inner envelope of their parents’ invitation by their name(s)—they should not be addressed on the outer envelope. For girls under 18, use “Miss.” Boys don’t need a title until they’re 18—then they’re addressed as “Mr.”

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham
Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany and Miss Kelly

Children 18 and Older

They should receive their own invitations (unless they’re living at home with their parents).

On the outer envelope:

Ms. Audrey Abraham

Or

Mr. Jack Abraham

On the inner envelope:

Ms. Abraham

Or

Mr. Abraham

Note: If you don’t include each child’s name, you’re implying that children are not invited. That said, don’t be surprised if some guests still mistakenly assume their children are welcome. If you’re concerned this will happen with your guests, ask your immediate family and bridal party to help spread the word that the wedding will be adults only and add the message to your wedding website. In the end, you may have to follow up with guests who don’t get the message via phone to gently explain the situation.