Wedding & Special Occasion Calligraphy

Etiquette for Addressing Envelopes

Wedding invitations are either mailed with an inside and outside envelope
or more frequently we are seeing invitations with just an outside envelope.

If there is no inside envelope then just follow the etiquette
for what should be written on the outside envelope.

Main Rules to Follow

Spell out all abbreviations including Post Office Box.

When using inside envelopes your guests' names
are repeated except minus their first names.
(Outside Envelope) Mr. and Mrs. John Jones  
(Inside Envelope) Mr. and Mrs. Jones

For more etiquette information www.theknot.com is an excellent source of information.

Titles
The man's name almost always goes first.
However, the higher title always is trump.

Meaning if a woman is a doctor and her husband is not
their envelope would read:
Doctor Jane Jones
Mr. John Jones
(Inside Envelope) Doctor Jones and Mr. Jones

Both are doctors:
Doctor John Jones
Doctor Jane Jones
or
The Doctors Jones
(Inside Envelope) Doctor and Mrs. Jones or The Doctors Jones

The Man is a Doctor
Doctor and Mrs. John Jones
(Inside Envelope) Doctor and Mrs. Jones

Woman Kept her Maiden Name
Mr. John Jones
Ms. Jane Smith
(Inside Envelope) Mr. Jones and Ms. Smith

Judges
The Honorable and Mrs. Jane Jones
or
The Honorable Jane Jones
Mr. John Jones
(Inside Envelope)
Judge and Mrs. Jones
or
Judge Jones and Mr. Jones

Lawyers
Mr. and Mrs. John Jones
(Inside Envelope) Mr. and Mrs. Jones

Military Personnel (Active)
Colonel and Mrs. John Jones
(Inside Envelope) Colonel and Mrs. Jones

Military Personnel (Retired)
Colonel and Mrs. John Jones
(Inside Envelope) Mr. and Mrs. Jones

Military Personnel (Both)
Colonel and Mrs. John Jones
(Inside Envelope) Mr. and Mrs. Jones
or
Highest rank first
Captain Jane Jones, U.S. Army
Lieutenant John Jones, U.S. Army

(Inside Envelope)
Captain Jones
Lieutenant Jones

Singles

Singles Over 18 years of Age
(Female) Ms. Jane Jones
or
(Male) Mr. John Jones
(Inside Envelope) Ms. Jones or Mr. Jones

Singles and a Guest*
Ms. Jane Smith
Mr. John Jones

(Inside Envelope)
Ms. Smith
Mr. Jones

* If there is no inside envelope
Ms. Jane Jones and guest
or (if you can find out the guest's name)
Ms. Jane Smith
Mr. John Jones

* Try to find out the guest's name.
It is more formal to have the guest's name written on the invitation.

Unmarried Couples Living Together
Write who you are closest to first
Ms. Jane Smith
Mr. John Jones

(Inside Envelope)
Ms. Smith
Mr. Jones

Children

Children Under 18 Living at Home
(Oldest Listed First)
Mr. and Mrs. John Jones

(Inside Envelope)
Mr. and Mrs. Jones
Scott and Teresa

(No Inside Envelope)
Mr. and Mrs. John Jones
Mr. Scott Jones
Miss Teresa Jones

Children Over 18 Living at Home
(Address a Seperate Invitation and Oldest Listed First)
Mr. Scott Jones
Ms. Teresa Jones

(Inside Envelope)
Mr. Jones
Ms. Jones