Wedding Invitation Etiquette on Names on the Reply Envelopes
Historically, the engaged couple did not send response cards with formal wedding invitations because it was a basic rule of etiquette to RSVP by sending a personal hand written note. Because of a loss of social formality, or as a matter of convenience, response cards are sent with the invitation for easy return. Address return envelopes correctly to maintain the formality of the invitation package as a whole.
Other People Are Reading
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Print
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Print or emboss the address on the return envelopes using a font that matches the invitations but is easily read or hand-write the addresses using basic print letters. Use a black ball point pin, or black printer ink to print the addresses and allow it to dry completely before stacking envelopes to avoid smudging or smearing. Find out where the address should be placed for the size envelope you are using by consulting the United States Postal Code Addressing Format. The postal code will tell where on the envelope to place the address, and how large the address label should be.
Addressing
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Address response card envelopes to the address of the person who will be receiving the cards and tracking responses and guest attendance. Write the name of the couple on the first line, followed by a line that tells whom they are to be mailed in care of, then the address of the person or organization designated to receive the cards. The address should be written with a street address in the first line, apartment number, if there is one, in the second line, the city and state and zip code in the third line. Each line should be flush on the left side of the address space. Write out all the words in the street address, except of the state, which can be abbreviated to its correct two letter postal abbreviations. For example:
Mr John Doe and Mrs Jane Smith
c/o Wedding Planner Management Company
4536 S Main Street
Kansas City MO 12345-0000
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Name Formatting
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When listing the names of the bride and groom for the first address line, always list the groom's name first followed by the bride's. Most brides will use the title Miss but older brides, or those celebrating a second marriage may prefer to use the term Ms. Use the same title on the response card envelopes that was used on the invitations. When writing the second address line make sure that appropriate titles are used for the person you are sending the response in care of. If the response cards are being sent to a wedding planner or organization make sure to capitalize each word in the businesses name.
Final Details
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There is no need to list guest's names anywhere on the response card envelopes. A return address can be listed on the rear flap of the envelope that matches the address on the front of the envelope, but no name need be listed there. Etiquette also calls for all response card envelopes to be stamped so that guests do not have to attach postage. If you are using a heavy card stock, or heavily decorated response cards, you will need to have them weighed at the post office so that you can apply an appropriate amount of postage before sending them to your guests.
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