Invite Question

When you are addressing the envelopes you put their formal names on the outside and familiar names on the inside, right?

Mr. & Mrs. John Smith (outer)
Uncle John & Aunt Mary (inner)

Also, what about friends that are dating someone, but they don't live together. I'm thinking...

Mr. John Smith & Guest (outer)
John & Mary (inner)

Am I even close?

Hi Jennifer, how are you?? Haven't 'chatted' with you in awhile...


You are VERY close....the only thing that I would change is for the invites of your friends...if you know their boy/girlfriend's names, use their formal names on the outer invites too.

Also, don't use an ampresand '&' on your invites. Write out A-N-D between a Mr. and Mrs. only. For couples that are not yet married, it is proper to list their names on separate lines (see below).
Good luck!

Mr. John Smith
Ms. Mary Jones (outer)
John & Mary (inner)

Inner envelopes can be addressed using the familiar names of your guests.

Also, if your guest has a significant other who will definitely accompany them to the wedding, then address the outer envelope directly to that person. It's much more personal that way!

Hey Claud - I'm doing great - except for being way too busy. I feel like I'm being pulled in a million different directions. How have you been???

So, even if they are relatives, it should be their first names? No Mom and Dad, aunt X and uncle Y?

Thanks for all your help - and thank you to the other girls who have answered as well. Invites go out in 2 weeks - aaahhhh!

If you want to keep it formal, you would use proper names on inner and outer like this:
Outer:
Mr. and Mrs. John Doe
Inner:
Mr. and Mrs. Doe
(you don't repeat the first name on the inner.)

Inner:
Jane and John Doe is more casual.

Also, technically, if you are inviting a couple who does not live together, they should be sent separate invitations. However, I did not do this myself. I sent the invitation to my friend and listed her FH's name on it, like this:
Outer:
Miss Jane Doe
Mr. John Smith
Inner:
Miss Doe
Mr. Smith

I found all of this in my mother's etiquette book. You can play with it however you want.

Hope this helps.

Invitation Addressing and Etiquette

The fields pertaining to addressing the invitation are located in the large box at the center of the Guest Data Entry Screen titled 'Address Invitations To'. They should be filled out EXACTLY as you would like the name and address to read on the invitation.

Review the following rules of etiquette on addressing your envelopes. Keep in mind that these are formal guidelines. Many brides are less formal in their approach to addressing. For example, they use first names on the inner envelopes (Ex: John and Mary). We suggest you enter your guest's names the way you feel most comfortable.
Outer Envelopes
Use full names, including the first names.
Ex: Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jackson

Do not write 'and Family' if children are to be included on the invitation. Write their first names on the inner envelope beneath their parents' names. (See 'Inner Envelopes' below)

Write out the words 'Street,' 'Boulevard,' 'Avenue,' 'Road,' etc.

Do not use symbols. Spell out the word 'and'.

Use figures only when writing house numbers and zip codes.
Ex: 225 Third Street

Spell out state names. (Bride's Mate has a feature to automatically spell out state names when you enter the state abbreviations. Read Tip 2 of 6 in the Data Entry Tips for details.)

Inner Envelopes
Exclude the first names of the guests
Ex: Mr. and Mrs. Jackson

Write the first names of children to be invited below the parents names in age order.
Ex: Mr. and Mrs. Jackson
Susie, Jane and Thomas

Children over the age of 16 should receive their own invitation.

Omit names of children if you are planning an adult-only celebration.

If an invitation to a single guest extends to an unknown escort, address the inner envelope with your friend's name followed by 'and Guest'.
Ex: Miss Jones and Guest


Formal Invitation Addressing Samples
Guest Outer Envelope Inner Envelope
Married couple with Mr. and Mrs. Terry Smith Mr. and Mrs. Smith
children under age 18 John, Susie and Tom

Married and wife has Mr. Michael Johnson Mr. Johnson
kept her maiden name Ms. Jane Grant Ms. Grant

Unmarried man Mr. Barry Holt Mr. Holt and Guest
with guest

Unmarried woman Miss Angie Will Miss Will and Guest
with guest

Divorced woman Mrs. Mary Andrews (or) Mrs. Andrews (or)
Mrs. Mary Jones Andrews Mrs. Jones Andrews

Widow Mrs. Robert Howe Mrs. Howe

Two or more brothers The Messrs. Bob and Lee Davis The Messrs. Davis
over 17-living at home

Two or more sisters The Misses Ann and Sue Cox The Misses Cox
over 17-living at home

Unmarried couple Miss Virginia Thomas Miss Thomas
living together Mr. Donald Thompson Mr. Thompson