According to Webster’s dictionary, etiquette is:
The conduct or procedure required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed in a social or official life. People consider proper etiquette on differing levels according to their personalities and wedding style when putting their lists together. Please keep in mind that these are included as guidelines and your individual situations may call for other formats.
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What is the proper way to address outer envelopes?
Following proper etiquette includes spelling out as much as possible. This includes street names, titles (except for Mr. and Mrs.), and even street numbers when there is room. It is not considered proper to indicate “and Family” or “and Guest” on the outer envelope. For the list you prepare for me, you do not have to spell out “Street, Avenue, Drive, Post Office, or State Names. Please indicate an Apartment Number by writing out “Apt.”, “Unit”, or “Suite” and not just using the number sign.
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What about inner envelopes?
Traditionally, inner envelopes were only addressed using the surname: “Mr. and Mrs. Moore.” But in the more recent years it has become acceptable and customary to address the inner envelope by what you call the person/people face to face. You can put: “Mr. and Mrs. Moore” or “Austin and Nicole” or even “Grandma and Pawpaw.”
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How do you address children in the household?
Children are not mentioned on the outer envelope. It is not considered proper to indicate “and Family” or “and Guest” on the outer envelope. On the inner envelope, children under the age of eighteen are listed under the parents’ names from oldest to youngest. If you do not wish to invite the children, you can omit the children’s names. If there are children in the home that are over age eighteen, it is proper etiquette for them to receive their own invitation.
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What is the proper way to invite an escort for my single guests?
The most considerate way to invite a guest for your guests is to call them and find out if they have a significant other in their life. If so, you can get their significant other’s address and send a separate invitation to their house. If not, it is acceptable to indicate “and Guest” on the inner envelope.
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How do I address two unmarried guests living together?
Address the envelopes by including both of their names, with the woman’s name listed first. The two names are listed on separate lines. An "and" between names signifies that they're married, and no "and" indicates that they're not married.
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How do I address a single woman?
It is not considered proper to use Ms. for formal invitations, but many people do anyway and it is becoming quite common. If the woman is single and has never been married, use Miss. If the woman is divorced and still uses her married name, use Mrs. If the woman is divorced and has gone back to her maiden name, use Miss. For widows, you can either use his or her first name: Mrs. Kevin Moore or Mrs. Ginny Moore. Do not include “and Guest” for recently widowed individuals.
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How do I address doctors and people with other professional titles?
Never abbreviate professional titles such as Doctor, Reverend, Colonel, Captain, The Honorable, etc. If the man is a doctor, you simply indicate “Doctor and Mrs. Northington.” If the woman is a doctor, you write “Doctor Alicia Perry and Mr. Kevin Perry.” If they are both doctors, you write “The Doctors Smith.”
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When do I need to mail my invitations?
Mailing out your invitations six to eight weeks before the event is the general rule to insure your guests are well informed of your wedding. If you have a large number of out-of-town guests or if your wedding falls on a holiday, send your invitations out closer to eight weeks. However, if you sent out Save-the-Date Cards, you can feel free to send your invitations out closer to six weeks from the event. Before you buy your stamps, make sure you assemble one full invitation and take it to the Post Office to be weighed. This will ensure you do not have to buy extra postage which might take away from the “look” of your invitation, or worse, you may have your invitations returned to you! Don’t forget postage for your response card envelopes as well.
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How do I assemble my invitations?
Start out with the invitation facing upward and place the tissue paper on top of it (if you have tissue paper). Stack the other inserts such as a Map or Directions, Accommodations, and Reception Card, if you have them, on top of the invitation. Place the Response Card facing upward under the flap of its envelope on top of the other small items. Place all these items into the inner envelope (or the outer envelope if you have no inner envelope) facing the envelope flap. Do not seal the inner envelope. Turn it around and stuff it into the outer envelope so that the front of the inner envelope is what your guest will see first upon opening the outer envelope.
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