the {write} address

Tackling the assembly and addressing of wedding invitations might seem cumbersome but it really signifies the {homestretch} of the wedding planning timeline!

Wedding invitations should arrive to your guests six to eight weeks before the wedding to give your guest plenty of time to respond. The deadline for responses is typically two to three weeks prior to the wedding to be sure that you can get a final headcount and finalize all remaining plans.

Remember when it comes to wedding invitations, they should always be handwritten – even if it is a more informal wedding. If your budget allows, consider hiring a calligrapher to address your invitations…and remember to discuss with them the time they need to complete all the invitations. Most likely they will need several weeks to complete these.

Outer and Inner Envelopes

An inner envelope is not necessary and is one area where you can cut back on using paper! Two envelopes do however ensure that your guests will receive a neat and clean envelope since the outer envelope might get dirty/ripped/smeared in the mail.

The outer envelope includes all of the information the postal service needs for delivery. The inner envelope should have the names of the invited guests in the household (including children, whose names do not appear on the outer envelope)

Etiquette for addressing

Full names with the appropriate titles should always be written on the outer envelope. The inner envelope names/titles will differ depending on the formality of the event.

Social Titles

We love the guidance and examples Laura Hooper over at Laura Hooper Calligraphy gives on how to address...here are a few examples she lists:

Married couple - formal:

{outer} Mr. and Mrs. Micah Cohen
{inner} Mr and Mrs. Cohen

Married couple - informal:

{outer} Loren and Dina Nelson
{inner} Loren and Dina

Married couple formal/Children under 18 living at home:

{outer} Mr. and Mrs. Karl Carter
{inner} Mr. and Mrs. Karl Carter
Miss Zoe Carter

Married couple, different last names - the woman is addressed first in this case

{outer} Ms. Ariana Rothstein Fisch-Field
(and) Mr. Greggory Field
{inner} Ms. Rothstein Fisch-Field
Mr. Field

Married couple, both are doctors, different last names:

{outer} Doctor Christina Yang
(and) Doctor Preston Burke
{inner} Doctor Yang
(and) Doctor Burke

Tip: Formal titles, such as Doctor or Lieutenant, should always be spelled out and not abbreviated

Single woman, with or without guest:

{outer} Miss/Ms. Nichole Lewis
{inner} Miss/Ms. Nichole Lewis
Or
Miss Lewis and Guest
or
Miss Lewis
Mr. Cordero

Tip: If you have an inner envelope, the direct guest's name is typically the only one that appears on the outer envelope. On the inner envelope, however, write their name followed by "and Guest." If you know whom he or she will be bringing, it's more personal to include that person's name, on a separate line. If you do not have an inner envelope, you can opt to include the "and Guest" (or the guest's name) on the outer envelope.

For more specific and detailed advice on every combination of addressing titles...check out Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette

Addresses

Do not abbreviate! Spell out all words in an address on your envelopes (i.e. Street not St., Virginia not VA, etc.) House numbers smaller than twenty should also be spelled out for formal invitations. It is up to you if you do the same for informal invites.

Assembling invitations

All enclosures should be printed in the same method and on coordinating papers. They should be placed in this order to be inserted into the outer envelope:

Photo credit: Laura Hooper Calligraphy

Slip the unsealed inner envelope into the outer envelope with the names facing the back flap. Seal, send and wait for those reply cards to start filling your mailbox!

Photos: {1-3} Martha Stewart
References: Emily Post's Complete Book of Wedding Etiquette (Revised Edition), Martha Stewart Weddings, Laura Hooper envelope etiquette

Comments

[Kristi Stefanini]

If you aren't doing inner envelopes - I have letterpress invites with a belly band, then is it ok to put the "and Guest" on the outside?

[Jessica-Stella Event Design]

What a great post! I can't wait to send my readers this way to check it out---love your blog, keep the great info and inspiration coming!

[Cathrine]

Weddings as you know cost alot of money... if you are looking for a more informal and cheaper way to do invites then you can skip the inner envelopes...

also @Kristi, In my opinion that would be fine, or perhaps include just list guest on the physical invitation.

[Maria {ritzy bee}]

Thank you for all of your comments! Yes, I definitley agree with Cathrine when skipping the inner envelope you can write the guest information on the outer envelope! :)

[Amy]

Handy! I just faxed my order for invites this morning and I was happy to see this.

[WeddingDaze]

Are handwritten names & address mandatory for Save the Dates? What other acceptable alternatives are there to address STDs?

Thank you!

[maria @ {ritzy bee}]

Hi WeddingDaze...to answer your question, typically it's more formal to handwrite save-the-dates, however, it is perfectly acceptable if they are printed. I think my only advice would be to shy away from using a cheap looking label or plain font. Maybe try for a fun wrap label for something a little nicer or a fun/classy font directly printed on the envelope is always a good idea. Good luck!