Envelope Addressing Etiquette

Whatever your correspondence, the first thing your recipient will see is the envelope. It's your introduction to the contents of your letter, card or invitation. Just as you wouldn't begin a conversation by improperly introducing yourself, you should apply the same etiquette to your envelope's address.

Formal Invitations

For formal invitations and correspondence such as wedding invitations, use professional calligraphy. These types of invitations require the addressee's name to be placed on the front center of the envelope with the return address printed on the back flap. Never use return address labels on formal wedding invitations or other formal correspondence.

Greeting Cards and Casual Correspondence

For casual correspondence, address the recipient's mailing information in your own handwriting. Use blue or black ink to address the envelope. While it is permissible to use computer-generated return address labels, you should still address the recipient's name and address in your own handwriting.

Thank You Cards

You can address thank you cards by hand or by using computer-printed labels. However, you should always handwrite the inside of the card. If sending a thank you card for a wedding gift, include your new address as the return address so the recipient will have a record of your new home's address for future correspondence.

Names

When writing a person's name on your envelope, preface their name with the proper title. If you are addressing the envelope to a man, address the envelope to Mr. John Q. Public. When addressing an envelope to a woman, address it to Mrs., Miss. or Ms. Jane Q. Public, depending on her marital status. If addressing to a couple, combine the two titles followed by their names.

In the event the woman uses her maiden name or prefers not to go by her husband's full name, address the envelope accordingly. For instance, if the husband's name is John Q. Public and his wife's name is Jane P. Everybody, address the envelope to Mr. John Q. Public and Mrs. Jane P. Everybody.

Addresses

When possible, spell out addresses in their entirety in formal invitations or correspondence. Unless space dictates you do so, refrain from using abbreviations for words such as "street" or "road." Spell out any single-digit apartment or street numbers as well (e.g., One Maple Street, Apartment Two).

References

• Artistic Addressing--Envelope Addressing Etiquette
• Sideroad.com--Greeting Card Etiquette
• Baby Cachet--Envelope Addressing Etiquette