How to Properly Address Envelopes for a Wedding
Your wedding day is almost here and the wedding invitations need to be mailed. Addressing the invitations envelopes properly will ensure on-time delivery as well as that most guests will RSVP in a timely manner. Hand-write the addresses neatly or in calligraphy if you know how. If you decide to print the envelopes on a laser printer, use a font and color that matches your invitations.
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Instructions
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Gather your wedding guest list and make sure you have correct names, titles and addresses for everyone. If you are not certain about a person's name or title, contact them to verify.
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Starting at the middle of the envelope, write the person or person's name. There are different methods of addressing the name or names on an envelope. Below are examples of the most common honorifics.
For a single person, write, "Ms. Candace Shaw." If you know the person is single but has a significant other, include the significant other on the inner envelope but not the outer. An example may include: "Ms. Candace Shaw and Guest." If the woman is divorced yet uses her married name, still address her as "Mrs. Candace Shaw."
For a married couple, write "Mr. and Mrs. John Shaw." If the man or woman has a title such as doctor, reverend or a military office, substitute that for Mr. or Mrs. If the husband and wife are both doctors, write "Doctors John and Candace Shaw." If you are inviting children under the age of 18, write on the outside of the inner envelope, "Mr. and Mrs. John Shaw and Family." If you wish to invite children over 18, send them their own invitation.
For married couples where the wife kept her maiden name, address the envelope with their names in alphabetical order, making sure to still place Mrs. in front of the wife's name with her maiden name.
For a couple that live together but are not married, address the envelope with the names on separate lines in alphabetical order according to the last name. That also includes same-sex couples.
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On the second line directly underneath the name of the guest, write the street address. Make sure the name of the street is capitalized. Do not write abbreviations. Instead, spell out all words, including such words as street, road, way or lane. Make sure to begin those words with a capital letter. An example may include: 1908 Ivy Lane.
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On the third line directly underneath the street address, write out the city, state and zip code. Do not abbreviate the state. Spell it out. Begin the city and state with a capital letter. An example may include: Atlanta, Georgia 30314.
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Tips & Warnings
If you do not know how to personally write in calligraphy, ask a friend or family member who knows how. This can be their wedding gift to you.
Ask the post office to hand cancel your invitations instead of machine cancelling as to not damage or leave unattractive marks on the invitations.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit wedding celebration image by Warren Millar from Fotolia.com
