Tip Sheet: Addressing guests (Invites, again)
I got this great document from my invitation vendor. Thought I would share...
*some may not apply to everyone
Addressing Guidelines.
1. Delete all names without addresses before submitting the list. If you want just the names printed on the envelopes for hand delivery, then write 'Hand Delivery' in place of the address. (I will not actually print Hand Delivery on the envelope). If you are still working on the addresses for just a few people, that's fine, but don't let a few names hold up the whole process. Go ahead and delete them for now and give them to me when you have all the information. They can be printed in a second batch if necessary.
2. Do not use any abbreviations except for Mr., Mrs., Ms., Jr., and Sr.
3.Make sure all abbreviated titles have a period. Example: Mr and Mrs should be Mr. and Mrs.
4.Spell the title Dr. out to Doctor
5.Spell out all Street, Boulevard, Avenue, etc.
6.Keep your zip codes in a separate column.
7.There is no such thing as 'Mr. and Dr.' If she is a doctor and he is not then she is listed first and he is listed below on the next line. (Don't worry about bruising his ego, I'm sure this is not the first time he has seen this.)
8.Use Ms. where you feel appropriate. Technically, by hard-core etiquette rules, there is no Ms. in social stationery, but most older unmarried women are uncomfortable with Miss. I have seen 'etiquette authorities' lighten up on this title in recent years.
9.Do not use initials in guests' names. Either spell the name out or drop it completely.
10.Use a person’s given name on the invitation. Example: Richard instead of ****, Daniel instead of Dan, Edward instead of Ed, etc.
11.“and Guest' is always optional. There is no rule that says all your single friends are entitled to bring a guest, so don't feel obligated if you don't have the budget for a larger wedding. It only appears on the inner envelope if you have a double envelope set. We have always capitalized 'Guest' because it represents a person. You will see it both ways in etiquette books. If it is your preference not to capitalize it, that is ok. Some etiquette books will list a female's guest this way: 'Miss Jones and escort' The word escort has negative connotations attached to it, so we have always used “guest” for both males and females. It is correct either way, so it's your call.
12.“and Family' is not appropriate and every attempt should be made to find out the names of children to be invited.
13.Fill in any missing zip codes. You can easily look them up on www.usps.com
14.House numbers 1-20 should be written out. Example: Sixteen Maple Drive.
15.Spell out all parts of the street name. Examples: North - not N., Boulevard - not Blvd., Apartment - not Apt. No abbreviations! Don't forget St. - Saint, Mt. - Mount, and Ft. - Fort. Exception: for U.S. Highway, don’t spell it out to Untied States Highway.
16.If you are not using inner envelopes:
a.Unmarried couples not living together, either:
i.Address to the closest friend and include a small personal note inside the invitation stating that a guest may accompany them
iiAddress to both guests listing the closest friend first
bUnmarried couples living together
i.Address to both guests alphabetically by last name
cSame gender couples
i.Address to both guests alphabetically by last name
*some may not apply to everyone
Addressing Guidelines.
1. Delete all names without addresses before submitting the list. If you want just the names printed on the envelopes for hand delivery, then write 'Hand Delivery' in place of the address. (I will not actually print Hand Delivery on the envelope). If you are still working on the addresses for just a few people, that's fine, but don't let a few names hold up the whole process. Go ahead and delete them for now and give them to me when you have all the information. They can be printed in a second batch if necessary.
2. Do not use any abbreviations except for Mr., Mrs., Ms., Jr., and Sr.
3.Make sure all abbreviated titles have a period. Example: Mr and Mrs should be Mr. and Mrs.
4.Spell the title Dr. out to Doctor
5.Spell out all Street, Boulevard, Avenue, etc.
6.Keep your zip codes in a separate column.
7.There is no such thing as 'Mr. and Dr.' If she is a doctor and he is not then she is listed first and he is listed below on the next line. (Don't worry about bruising his ego, I'm sure this is not the first time he has seen this.)
8.Use Ms. where you feel appropriate. Technically, by hard-core etiquette rules, there is no Ms. in social stationery, but most older unmarried women are uncomfortable with Miss. I have seen 'etiquette authorities' lighten up on this title in recent years.
9.Do not use initials in guests' names. Either spell the name out or drop it completely.
10.Use a person’s given name on the invitation. Example: Richard instead of ****, Daniel instead of Dan, Edward instead of Ed, etc.
11.“and Guest' is always optional. There is no rule that says all your single friends are entitled to bring a guest, so don't feel obligated if you don't have the budget for a larger wedding. It only appears on the inner envelope if you have a double envelope set. We have always capitalized 'Guest' because it represents a person. You will see it both ways in etiquette books. If it is your preference not to capitalize it, that is ok. Some etiquette books will list a female's guest this way: 'Miss Jones and escort' The word escort has negative connotations attached to it, so we have always used “guest” for both males and females. It is correct either way, so it's your call.
12.“and Family' is not appropriate and every attempt should be made to find out the names of children to be invited.
13.Fill in any missing zip codes. You can easily look them up on www.usps.com
14.House numbers 1-20 should be written out. Example: Sixteen Maple Drive.
15.Spell out all parts of the street name. Examples: North - not N., Boulevard - not Blvd., Apartment - not Apt. No abbreviations! Don't forget St. - Saint, Mt. - Mount, and Ft. - Fort. Exception: for U.S. Highway, don’t spell it out to Untied States Highway.
16.If you are not using inner envelopes:
a.Unmarried couples not living together, either:
i.Address to the closest friend and include a small personal note inside the invitation stating that a guest may accompany them
iiAddress to both guests listing the closest friend first
bUnmarried couples living together
i.Address to both guests alphabetically by last name
cSame gender couples
i.Address to both guests alphabetically by last name
