How to address wedding invitations
Choose who the invitation is for and type their names. The addresser writes the outer and inner envelope lines using traditional etiquette, ready to copy.
Formality
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hughes
123 Street Name
City, State Zip
Inner envelope (optional)
Mr. and Mrs. Hughes
The rules in brief
- Write names in full. No nicknames or initials on formal invitations: “Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hughes”, not “Bob & Sue”.
- Spell out words such as Street, Avenue, Apartment and the state name on traditional invitations. Numbers in the street address can stay as numerals.
- Only the people named are invited. If children are invited, name them (or write “The Hughes Family”). If a guest may bring a partner, write “and Guest” on the inner envelope.
- Unmarried couples living together go on separate lines, in alphabetical order by last name.
- Professional titles (Dr., The Honorable, military ranks) are used; if both partners are doctors, “The Doctors Hughes” or “Drs. Anna and Robert Hughes”.
- Inner envelopes are optional today. When used, they drop first names for formal guests (“Mr. and Mrs. Hughes”) and can be informal for family (“Aunt Sue and Uncle Bob”).
Where everything goes on the envelope
- Guest address: centred, names on the first line, street on the second, city, state and ZIP on the third. Spell out “Street”, “Avenue” and “Apartment” on formal envelopes.
- Return address: traditionally printed on the back flap of the outer envelope, which looks cleaner; the top-left corner of the front is fine and is what the USPS expects. Use the address of whoever is collecting RSVPs.
- Response-card envelope: pre-address it to the RSVP collector and put a stamp on it.
- Postage: weigh a complete invitation first. Square, rigid or wax-sealed envelopes often cost more to mail because they can't go through sorting machines.
Return address examples
Mr. and Mrs. David Chen
1427 Juniper Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97205
Amara Chen and Jonah Reyes
88 Harbor Street, Apartment 4
Seattle, Washington 98101
The conventions above follow the guidance published by the Emily Post Institute. Modern couples increasingly list partners by name without titles, and that is perfectly correct for a less formal wedding. More etiquette in the wedding invitation etiquette guide.
Questions people ask
How do you address a wedding invitation to a married couple?
Traditionally “Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hughes”. Modern alternatives are “Mr. Robert and Mrs. Anna Hughes” or “Anna and Robert Hughes”. If they have different last names, put each full name on its own line joined by “and”.
How do you address an invitation to a family with kids?
Put the parents on the outer envelope and the children's first names on the inner envelope, or use “The Hughes Family” on a single envelope. Children over 18 should get their own invitation.
How do I show that a guest can bring a plus-one?
Write “and Guest” after their name on the inner envelope, or on the outer envelope if you don't use an inner one. If you know the partner's name, use it instead.
How do you address a wedding invitation to a same-sex couple?
List both names in alphabetical order, either as “Mr. James Hughes and Mr. Robert Hughes” or, less formally, “James and Robert Hughes”. If they have different last names, put each full name on its own line.
Do adult children get their own invitation?
Yes. Traditionally anyone 18 or older, even if living at home, receives a separate invitation addressed to them.
Where does the return address go on a wedding invitation?
Traditionally on the back flap of the outer envelope; the top-left corner of the front is also acceptable. Use the address of the person collecting RSVPs.
How do you address a military officer?
Use the full rank and branch: “Captain Robert Hughes, U.S. Army, and Mrs. Hughes”. Junior enlisted ranks are often written with Mr. or Ms. instead.
Is it Mrs. John Smith or Mrs. Jane Smith for a widow?
Traditionally a widow keeps her husband's name, “Mrs. John Smith”, but many widows prefer their own first name. When unsure, “Mrs. Jane Smith” is widely accepted today.