Save time! As you print your return address on your invitations and response cards, print it on the flaps of your Thank You note envelopes and the envelopes of all stationery you wish to use.
The invitations you send, not only inform your guests of the date, time, location and hosts of the wedding, but set the tone for your entire celebration.
Order a large supply of Folding Note Cards. Folding Note Cards are very versatile. Use them for RSVP respond cards, reception announcements, tented place cards, thank you notes, gift enclosures, or for other correspondence long after the wedding. All of our note card kits include mailing envelopes.
Your wedding invitation may include the time and location of the reception, or you may insert reception cards with the information and map printed on them to inform your guests of the location of the wedding reception and or dance.
Since reception cards are enclosed with your invitation, you may, but you do not need to place them in their own envelopes.
If you plan to send reception cards, use the same folding card as your response card, send it in the same envelope as you do the invitation and response card.
Mail announcement at least six weeks before the wedding.
Before you stamp the envelopes, have your invitations weighed at the post office to determine the proper postage.
Etiquette for addressing wedding invitations
The common practice that has evolved with the escalating
costs of dream weddings is envelopes. Unlike years ago, today a single envelope
is the norm for most but Black Tie and formal affairs. Whether pre-printed or
home printed, invitations have to be mailed.
Each invitation should be either hand addressed, or if
computer generated, have special calligraphy like fonts.
Do not let your guests guess. The recipients should know exactly who is invited.
If you thought that it is simple, think again. Before
setting for the task, make sure that you will not encounter any surprises at
the wedding.
Yes, compiling the guest list and staying within your wedding budget is
one of the most difficult tasks at hand. Yet, your wedding is the happiest day
of your life and you want your guest to share in your happiness rather than
harbor bad feelings.
Take into consideration guests' children, and be sure not to
alienate singles for whom it is important to bring a significant other or a
guest. So, if Joe has a steady girlfriend invite her too.
Well, your list is complete (or so you think), the
invitations are printed and you are ready to address the outer and if you have,
inner envelopes. The envelopes are the first thing your guests see show them
that they are important to you. Pay attention to details and your guests will
know that you really care about them. Do not use initials instead of full names
though you may insert an initial for the middle name - Robert W. Jacobs.
Do not abbreviate addresses or titles or. In other words do
not substitute St. for Street or Ave. for Avenue and do not address Prof. but
Professor and The Hon. or The Honorable and so on. The obvious exceptions are
Mr. Mrs. Jr. Sr.
At first glance it seems simple but as you review your list
you realize that you have:
Family members
Married couples without children
Married couples with children.
Married couples with children over 18 years old.
Married couples where one has a professional title
Military personnel
Married couples where both have professional titles
Unmarried couples living together
Singles, both male and female.
Single female who are divorced
Single female who are widowed.
Each type of guest is addressed differently.
Though I attempt to address every situation, you may find that you have a
Guest with other addressing needs. Use you common sense and
you'll do just fine.,
Guest
Category Outer
Envelope Inner
Envelope
|
Family members
|
You may address family members by their relations to you.
Uncle, Aunt etc...
|
Relations and first name
Grandma Mary and Grandpa Paul etc...
|
|
Married couples
without children
|
Mr. and Mrs. (Husband's first and last name)
|
Mr. and Mrs. (Husband's first and last name)
|
|
Married couples with children, but children
Are NOT invited
|
Mr. and Mrs. (Husband's first and last name)
|
Mr. and Mrs. (Husband's first and last name)
|
|
Married couples with children
|
Mr. and Mrs. (Husband's first and last name) and family
|
Mr. and Mrs. (Husband's first and last name) and
Children's first names
|
|
Married couples with children over 18 years old.
|
Mr. and Mrs. (Husband's first and last name) and a
separate invitation for each child over 18. (Mr. or Miss not mandatory except
for formal affairs.)
|
Child's first and family name
|
|
Married couples where the husband has a professional
title. If not married omit
and Mrs. If children invited add either and family or
children's names. Samples:
Doctor
Judge
Professor
Dean
Reverend
Rabbi
|
Doctor and Mrs. (Husband's first and last name)
The honorable (Husband's first and last name) and Mrs.
(family name
Professor and Mrs.(Husband's first and last name)
Dean and Mrs. (Husband's first and last name)
Reverend and Mrs. (Husband's first and last name)
Rabbi and Mrs. (Husband's first and last name)
|
Same as Outer Envelope
If children are invited, add their names and if applicable
- and guest.
|
|
Married couples where the wife has a professional title.
If not married omit
and Mr. If children invited add either and family, or children's
names. Samples:
Doctor
Judge
Professor
Dean
Reverend
Rabbi
Father
|
Doctor (wife's full name) and Mr. (Husband's first and
last name)
The honorable (wife's full name) and Mr. (Husband's first
and last name) Professor (wife's full name) and Mr. (Husband's first and last
name)
Dean (wife's full name) and Mr. (Husband's first and last
name)
Reverend and Mr. (Husband's first and last name)
Rabbi and Mr. (Husband's first and last name)
Father's full name
|
Same as Outer Envelope
If children are invited, add their names and if applicable
- and guest.
|
|
Military - same procedure
|
Title first (Colonel;
General; Captain etc...
|
|
|
Married couples where both have professional titles
|
Husband's
Title followed by first and last name)
And wife:
Title followed first and last name.
|
|
|
Unmarried couples who live together
|
Miss, ms (full name)
Mr. (full name)
|
Both names on both envelopes
|
|
Single man
|
Mr. (full name)
|
(full name) with or without and guest
|
|
Single woman
|
Miss or Ms. (full name)
|
(full name) with or without and guest
|
|
Single woman - divorced
|
Mrs. or Ms. (full name)
|
(full name) with or without and guest
|
|
Single woman - divorced with children
|
Mrs. or Ms. (full name)
And family
|
(full name) and children's first names
|
|
Single woman - widow
|
Either Mrs. (full name)
Or Mrs. (deceased husband's full name)
|
Same.
Mrs. Betty Jones
Or Mrs. David Jones
|
~~~
Nily Glaser is not affiliated with My Personal Artist. The article was written by her for free use. Search the web for other wedding stationery tips and addressing etiquette articles to compare and make your very best decisions.
