Invitations, Wedding Invitations, Envelope Calligraphy, Party Favors from CathyHennes.com

Addressing Guidelines

Outer Envelope

Use full names and formal titles.
Do not use symbols. Always spell out the word "and."
Do not use initials. Always spell out all of the names. Middle names are not usually included. An exception is made when an individual goes by his/her middle name, as:
"Mr. S. Frederick Van Zandt"
Use figures only when writing house numbers and zip codes. Street names that are numbers should be written out:
"1747 Thirty-fourth Avenue."
House numbers under twelve and those divisible by ten may be written out:
"Six Locust Drive" or "Forty Walnut Street."
Write out the words, "street," "boulevard," "avenue," etc.
Do not abbreviate state names.

Inner Envelope:

It is acceptable to use first names and/or terms of endearment (such as Aunt Susie and Uncle Jack) on the inner envelope.
Exclude first names of recipients: Mr. and Mrs. Stevens
The phrase "and Family" should be avoided. First names of children are written below parents' names in descending order of age:
Mr. and Mrs. Stevens
Lisa, Steven, and Morgan
A guest is invited: Miss Sutton and Guest.

Envelope Etiquette

These rules of etiquette apply to both straight and GLBT couples.

It is also acceptable to use first names and/or terms of endearment (such as Aunt Susie and Uncle Jack) on the inner envelope.

Outer Envelope	Inner Envelope
Married Couple
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Martin	Mr. and Mrs. Martin
Married Couple - Husband has Title
Dr. and Mrs. Richard Martin	Dr. and Mrs. Martin
Colonel and Mrs. Richard Martin	Colonel and Mrs. Martin
The Honorable and Mrs. Richard Martin	The Honorable and Mrs. Martin
The Reverend and Mrs. Richard Martin	Reverend and Mrs. Marton
Married Couple - Wife has Title
Dr. Mary Brown and Mr. Stephen Brown	Dr. Brown and Mr. Brown
Married Couple - Both are Doctors
The Doctors Allison and Kevin Harrison	The Doctors Harrison
Married Couple - Wife Uses her Maiden Name
Ms. Sharon Lewis and Mr. David Parker (the "and" connotes marriage)	Ms. Lewis and Mr. Parker
Two People with the Same Address - Not a Couple This could be two adult sisters, a parent with an adult child, or two adult friends. Either alphabetize the names or go by age and put the oldest first.
Mrs. Sally Scott	Mrs. Scott
Ms. Tracey Scott	Ms. Scott
Tow People Living Together but not Married
Ms. Jennifer Bowman	Ms. Bowman
Mr. Charles Russell	Mr. Russell
Widow A widowed woman is always addressed using her husband's first and last name.
Mrs. Henry Clermont	Mrs. Clermont
Divorced Woman A divorced woman is usually addressed by her first name and her married name. When in doubt, an adult woman can be addressed as "Ms."
Mrs. Janet Richards	Mrs. Richards