Addressing Wedding Invitations

Addressing wedding invitation.

When addressing your wedding invitations it is a way to let people know who exactly is invited. Where you write this information depends on whether you are going to include an inner envelope. If you are using an inner envelope, address the outer envelope to the person or couple that you are inviting.

Guidelines for addressing the inner envelope

Tradition has it that for the title(s) and surname of the invited guests should be written on the inner envelope (MR and Mrs Jones).

The first names of any children that are invited should be written below the parents names. If more than one child is invited, put the oldest child's name first working down to the youngest child.

If the children are not invited don't include their names. If the invitation is sent to a single guest and you would like to extend the invitation to an unknown escort, address the envelope with your friend's name followed by "and guest".

Guidelines for addressing an outer envelope only

You will need to write all guest information on the outer envelope. If you are inviting a single person, address it to the person or to the person "and guest".

For family, address the envelope to the family members who are invited (eg Mr and Mrs James Thomas, Mary, Anna, Tony and Simone).

If you are inviting the whole family address it to the person or couple "and family". Be sure to put a return address on the back of the envelope just in case a guests address in wrong.

When to send the invitation

You should plan on sending your invitations 12 to 16 weeks before your wedding date. This will allow enough time for your guests to make plans and respond. If you are inviting guests from out of town, send the invitations out 16 or more weeks before the wedding.

Tips

Here are a few tips to help you send your invitations

• Make more invitations than you need. You will need these for mistakes, last minute additions and one for a keepsake.

• Order a few more outer envelopes.

• Double check the postcodes (zip code).

• Take a completed invitation to the post office and have it weighed, this way you will be sure to have the correct postage.

• Include a stamp on the response cards envelope or postcard.