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It’s taken days to decide on your final wedding invitations
and you’ve found the perfect invites. It’s only
when you get home that you realize: you have no idea how
to address the envelopes. This is not the time to just guess
either. You don’t want to risk offending your potential
guests with an improperly addressed wedding invitation.
If you are aiming for a traditional feel, you will want
to use double envelopes for your wedding invitations. By
addressing an outer envelope, the inner envelope is protected
from the elements. The outer envelope will have the full
names and titles of your guests. Place the wedding invitation
into the smaller, inside envelope, which will have only
the names of the guests.
A more modern take on wedding invitations saves paper (and
money) by using just one envelope. If you decide to use
this method, make sure that your invitations are specially
designed as folding mailers. With the popularity of “green”
and environmentally friendly practices, this practice is
quickly become the new wedding standard.
Everyone who you expect to come to your wedding should
receive an invitation even your parents or the members of
your bridal party Anyone over sixteen should receive her
own invitation, even if he lives in the same house as another
guest. Don’t forget your officiant.
Handwrite each of your invitations yourself. Sure, you
could hire someone to do calligraphy on your invitations,
but why not go the extra mile with a handmade touch? Yes,
it takes time, but it’s worth it. You could have the
addresses printed onto your wedding invitation envelopes
or use printed labels that you make yourself with your home
computer. This last method saves time and doesn’t
cost much but it’s not nearly as personal as the hand-written
wedding invitation.
Addressing the Envelopes
First, make sure you have the correct spelling and address
of every one of your guests. There’s nothing worse
than a spelling error in one’s name.
Make a list of all of your guests, complete with titles
and addresses, and check off each listing as you seal the
envelope. The key to not forgetting any of your guests is
organization. Don’t risk offending a member of your
families by forgetting to mail an invitation. Make a list
and check it twice, just like Santa.
Consult a wedding etiquette book to make sure you are addressing
the envelopes properly. Here are a few examples to help
you get started:
Parents and children
You should list the names of the adults first on the invitation.
On the following line, you should list each of the children’s
first names, in order from the oldest child to the youngest.
If you’d rather the children did not attend, simply
leave their names off the wedding invitation.
Example:
Mr. And Mrs. Harold Robinson
Naveed, Taylor, and Drake
Occupational Titles
If one of your guests has a job title, like doctor or reverend,
that person’s name must be the first one listed on
the invitation, regardless of gender.
Examples:
Dr. Elizabeth Henderson and Mr. Joe Henderson
Dr. Peter Smith and Mrs. Helen Smith
The Doctors Jones or Drs. Peter and Philipa Jones
Unmarried couples
Always address your wedding invitation in the name of the
person with whom you are the closest, regardless of gender.
Example:
Mr. Jim Roberts and Guest
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