Top 3 Tips for Addressing Envelopes for your Wedding
LET’S GET MARRIED.
You’ve found the one, you’ve picked the date, now it’s time to let your people know. Save the Dates are the first time you’ll have to think hard about your guest list, and it’s the first peek at your year ahead.
We recommend that Save the Dates be sent out 6-8 months before your wedding day. (Summer 2019 brides, that’s you!). This gives your guests enough time to plan ahead, make travel arrangements if necessary, and reserve a hotel room. Download our Save the Date Mailing Chart here.
Once you’ve narrowed down your guest list, you’ll need to calculate how many you need to order. As a general rule of thumb we suggest One Save the Date per household. Usually this number ends up being about 60% of your total count, less if you have a lot of married couples. For example, you have 250 people on your list, you will probably need about 150 Save the Dates printed.
NOW, HOW THE HECK DO YOU ADDRESS THEM?
Here are a few answers to the questions we get asked most...
Question 1: My cousin is 21, but she still lives at home with her parents. Should she get her own invitation?
Answer: Yes, Children over 18 living with parents should receive their own invitation and should be addressed by their social titles.
Example: Mr. Jaden Smith or Ms. Millie Bobby Brown
Question 2: I am inviting my brother, his wife and their kids. Should I address it to my Brother and Family?
Answer: Using “and Family” is one way to address the envelope, however the most traditional way to address an envelope for children under 18 (if being invited), is to list them under their parents, first name only, in order of eldest to youngest.
Example: Mr. and Mrs. Chip Gaines
Drake, Ella Rose, Duke, Emmie Kay and Crew
[Pro Tip: leaving the kids OFF will also indicate (politely) that children are NOT invited.]
Question 3: My maid of honor has been with her boyfriend for 5 years, they live together, but they are not married. Who goes first on the envelope?
Answer: Engaged friends? Long term partners? Traditionally, you list them separately as the word “and” denotes marriage. The woman’s name should go first, regardless of how close you are.
Example: Ms. Hailey Baldwin
Mr. Justin Bieber
Or if you want to have fun with an engaged couple:
The Future Mr. and Mrs. Justin Bieber
As always, these tips are based off of traditional Etiquette rules, you can bend or break them as you see fit for your guest list.
Still have questions? Send us a message. We’re happy to help.