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Once you’ve decided on your wedding invitation wording and it’s time to slide your beautiful invitation safely inside its envelope, there’s still the matter of what to write on the front. But deciding how to address envelopes for everyone on your guest list isn’t as simple as it sounds. With different scenarios to consider (married couples, unmarried couples, singletons, those with plus ones and so on) and titles to get right (Ms. Mr. Dr. etc), it’s easy to forget where to start. So to offer a helping hand when you’ve got a million other things to prep and plan, we’ve put together this quick, simple guide to wedding envelope addressing.
Use ‘Mr’ if the person is over 18. Otherwise omit.
Contemporary: Joel Harrison
Traditional: Mr Joel Harrison or Mr Harrison
Traditionally, ‘Ms’ is used by women regardless of their marital status and ‘Miss’ for unmarried women, usually those under 18. Of course, these are old-fashioned rules, and today you can go with whatever you like!
Contemporary: Yasmin Lin
Traditional: Ms Yasmin Lin or Ms Lin
The envelope should only feature the name of the person you know, and the invitation should include their name ‘and guest.’
Contemporary: Lillie Ellis
Traditional: Miss Lillie Ellis or Miss Ellis
For unmarried couples who live at the same address, include both names on one line, listing the person closest to you first. If you know the couple equally well, place the names in alphabetical order.
Contemporary: Ed and Kara
Traditional: Mr Ed Parsons and Ms Kara Porter
Contemporary: Carlos and Maria or Mr Carlos & Maria Hamilton
Traditional: Mr and Mrs Hamilton or Mr & Mrs Carlos Hamilton
Once again, list the person you're closest with first. If you know both guests equally well, it’s tradition to open with female’s name.
Contemporary: Georgina Evans and Simon Khan or Mr Khan & Mrs Evans
Traditional: Mrs Georgina Evans and Mr Simon Khan
Contemporary: The Underwoods
Traditional: Mr and Mrs Simon Underwood, Lola, Charles and Eva.
The children of friends and family who are over 18 and no longer live with their parents should receive their own invitation
Contemporary: Rachel or Miss Thompson
Traditional: Ms. Rachel Thompson
Contemporary: Dr Smiles
Traditional: Doctor Erica Smiles
Contemporary: Dr Isabelle and Mr Josh Steele (if the woman takes her husband’s name day-to-day)
Traditional: Professor Andrew Jackson and Mrs Angela Johnson
At Papier, we offer recipient addressing and return envelope addressing. Upload your guests’ addresses and a return address, special date or initials to the reverse of your envelopes, and we’ll print each one neatly for you. It’ll add a beautiful finishing touch to your Papier post and save you tons of handwriting, freeing up precious time so you can get on with planning the rest of your big day.
You can upload your recipient addresses by downloading and completing our handy spreadsheet, or add them manually one by one.
Include a return address or add your name, initials or a special date for a sophisticated touch. Whatever you write will show across the back of all your envelopes.