Inner Envelope Question...

Inner Envelope Question...

I'm sure this subject has been touched upon before, but...
I'm doing the guest list to send to a calligrapher and I'm having trouble with what should be written on the inner envelopes. I know etiquette says to write Mr. and Mrs. XXXX. I'm fine with that for the guests on my FI's side since my parents are the ones sending the invites and they don't know most of them. What about my family, though? I can't see my parents sending an invite to my Grandma and write Mrs. XXXX and their brothers and sisters and writing Mr. and Mrs. Can they write Mom on my g-ma's...and first names on their siblings? What did everyone else do on their inner envelopes?

Inner Envelope Question...

I think that for people that are close to you, it is much more personal to write `gradma or grandpa`.

Didn`t want to get hung up...

I didn`t want to get hung up on the formalities. Basically our inner envelopes were addressed with people`s first names only, or Mom & Dad, Aunt & Uncle and so on. The only time I used Mr. & Mrs. on the inner envelopes were pretty much just for co-workers whose spouses` names I didn`t know.

I know this is probably not the proper way to do it, but this is the way that made me feel most comfortable. Do what`s best for you.

Inner Envelope Question...

Can you skip addressing the inner envelope all together? Is this rude? The last several invitations I have received didn`t have anything written on the inner envelope. Please let me know, I don`t want to be rude. Thanks

It's old fashioned etiquette....

It's a remnant of proper form from days past. When invitations were hand delivered by servents they tended to get dirty in the filthy streets so an inner envelope was included.

Your servant would receive the envelope, remove the dirty outer envelope, and place the invitation with your other coorespondence received. Therefore, a name was used on the inner envelope too.

So it just depends on whether or not you want to revert to the old etiquette. It's not necessary, but a nice, elegant touch.

Helps to clarify...

By addressing the inner envelope with those specifically invited, hopefully you will help to avoid those uncomfortable situations of people bringing guests who weren`t supposed to.

I had considered not addressing the inner envelope, but gave in and did it anyway.

Inner Envelope Question...

I am actually not writing anything. I am keeping them blank to avoid any confusion. I am invited to 3 other weddings that also left them blank. My stationer also says that it is now common to not write anything on them.