PW Guide Article: Etiquette Guide: Addressing Envelopes

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I am familiar with using full names on the inside envelopes for invitations, but we decided to go with invitations that only have one envelope. There is no "outside" and "inside" envelope, only one.. What is the proper way to address these?

 

Thanks

Kim

this is helpful, especially since it is pretty close to the time for me to ship out my invitations!

this is helpful, especially since it is pretty close to the time for me to ship out my invitations!

In regards to a widowed woman, Ms. may be fine for some generations however women in their 60's and older are offended by Ms., most etiquette books I have read says it is perfectly fine to go with Mrs. and either the woman's first name or her deceased husbands first name, whatever the woman's preference.

In response to Kim, if you are just using one envelope, just address the envelope like the outer envelope would be, but include the guests name.

Very helpful!

So it is wrong to just call people their straight up names?  I can't address it Matt Jones, it has to be Mr. Matt Jones?  I don't like it.  It seems so pretentious to me!  It makes it sound older than the people are.  But also, I don't like Matron of Honor.  Why would I refer to my best friend as a Matron?  She is young and beautiful.  Matron makes me think of a 70 year old woman. 

Regarding addressing invitations, there are traditional rules of wedding etiquette. All of society in the past used similar rules for everyday life, now it is reserved for special occaisions. Do you consider your wedding a special occaision or a casual event? The way you address and present your invitations to your guests tells them a lot about what type of an event you will be having and what will be expected of them as a guest regarding manners and attire.

what about couples who have been together forever but are not married? do you address it to the one you know better and guest (ex. Mr. Bill Smith and Guest) or to both (ex. Mr. Bill Smith and Ms. Carrie Corner)? what if they have been together for a while, living together, but you've never met the sig other? so confusing...