{Published} Weddings in Houston Magazine Expert Advice

{Artwork Credit:  Weddings in Houston Magazine}

It's no question I love what I do and when others take note of that, it just makes my heart warm and fuzzy!  It is always such an honor to be asked to be a wedding expert and be in the same panel of other amazing wedding planners...such was the case in the Winter Edition of the beautiful Weddings in Houston Magazine.  Take a looksie!

Don't forget to join us this Sunday, January 27th at the couture bridal event of the year...I DO! Soiree and enjoy some delicious eye candy!

Now, to get your hands on this beautiful magazine, filled with wedding inspiration, give us a ring or swing by our office for your complimentary copy!

 

{www.daytoremember.net}

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{Wedding Planning 101} Addressing Wedding Invitations

{Photo Credit:  Non-professional photo by A Day To Remember}

 

Last week, during our Wedding Planning 101 Wedding Invitations post, we discussed the importance of your wedding invitations.  You have spent hours working with your stationery designer in creating that perfect invitation.  The final touch is the art of addressing an envelope.  Many brides come to us with questions about this, "Do I include children's names on the invitation", "How do I address to my uncle and his life partner?", "How do I address common law married couples?", the list just goes on and on...

So, let's get started with some quick pointers, followed my more specific samples...

For your Outer Envelope:

• Proper etiquette and tradition is upheld, decorum celebrated, so this means no cutting corners and using abbreviations such as Dr., Jr., TX, St., instead use Doctor, Junior, Texas, Street
• Titles such as Doctor, Reverend, Captain, etc. are not abbreviated unless lack of space necessitates it
• Mr. and Mrs. are the only acceptable abbreviations
• Full names only, this means no initials or nicknames
• If an unmarried couple is living in the same house their names should be on separate lines, with the female guest listed first
• Adding "and family" is not acceptable.  Children's names are to be listed on the inner envelope
• Write out "and", not "&"
• Suffixes are all properly proceeded by a comma, including Roman numerals
• Junior and senior are to be written out, no abbreviations
• North and South is written in full if it proceeds the street name {123 South Main Street} with a comma added after the street name.  An abbreviation is acceptable if it comes after the address {123 Main Street, N.W.}

For your Inner Envelope:

• Formal invitations, unless they are in a pocketfold, are slipped into an unsealed inner envelope to be placed inside the outer envelope. The inner envelopes are addressed in a more informal fashion, typically only title abbreviations, last name or guests first names, including the names of all other invitees {ie: children}
• Exclude the first names of the recipients {unless they are really close relations}
• When including children, only their first names are needed and must be listed by age, oldest first
• Children over the age of 18 should receive their own invitation
• Omit children's names if they are not on the guest list
• If an invitation to a single guest extends to an unknown escort, address the inner envelope with your guest's name followed by "and guest" {guest should not be capitalized, it is not a proper noun}

Now that we've managed to confuse you some, here are some examples to better help you!  :)

Addressing  to a married couple {outer envelope}:
Mr. John and Mrs. Jane Doe OR Mr. and Mrs. John Doe
Addressing  to a married couple {inner envelope}:
Mr. and Mrs. Doe OR John and Jane

Addressing to a married couple using different last names {outer envelope}:
Mr. John Doe and Mrs. Jane Fawn
Addressing to a married couple using different last names {inner envelope}:
Mr. Doe and Ms. Fawn OR John and Jane

Addressing to an unmarried couple living together {outer envelope}
NOTE:  Just as a married couple, both names should be included on the envelopes, but each name should be listed on a separate line.

Mr. John Doe
Ms. Jane Fawn
Addressing to an unmarried couple living together {inner envelope}
Mr. Doe
Ms. Fawn

Addressing to same-sex couples {outer envelope}
NOTE:  Same rules apply just as you would for any other unmarried or married couple. If the couple is married, list the names on the same line; otherwise, the names are to go on separate lines
Ms. Jane Doe and Ms. Jill Hill
Addressing to same-sex couples {inner envelope}
Ms. Doe and Ms. Hill OR Jane and Jill

Addressing to a married woman doctor or two married doctors {outer envelope}:

NOTE:  If a woman uses her maiden name professionally and socially, the outer envelope should read:
Dr. Jane Fawn and Mr. John Doe
NOTE:  If a woman uses her husband's name socially:
Dr. Jane and Mr. John Doe
NOTE: If both parties are doctors:
Doctors Jane and John Doe
Addressing to a married woman doctor or two married doctors {inner envelope}:
Dr. Fawn and Mr. Doe OR The Doctors Doe

Addressing to guests with distinguished titles {outer envelope}:
NOTE:  Same rules apply just as you would for doctors.  If both titles do not fit on one line, indent the second line.
The Honorable Jane Fawn and Captain John Doe OR Lieutenants Jane and John Doe, U.S. Navy
Addressing to guests with distinguished titles {inner envelope}:
Judge Fawn and Captain Doe, U.S. Navy OR The Lieutenants Doe

Addressing to children and families:
NOTE:  For girls under 18, use the title, “Miss.”.  Boys do not require a title, unless they are 18 years, then, they are to be addressed as "Mr.".  Remember, if you don't include each child's name, you're implying that children are not invited.
Mr. and Mrs. John Doe
Johnny, Jack, Miss Janie and Miss Jillie

We hope this gives you the tools necessary when addressing your invitations.

Beautiful calligraphy work created by the amazing Patricia Leith of Calligraphy by Patricia

Now, if you have any questions or doubts, we recommend having a professional calligrapher handle this task for you.  Not only will you save yourself the trouble of figuring out how to address each envelope, but having a calligrapher address your envelopes will give it that special touch your guests will greatly appreciate! 

On our next Wedding Planning 101, we will discuss the hand addressing vs label addressing issue!  In the meantime, let us know, do you plan on addressing your invitations yourself or are you having your invitations addressed professionally?

{www.daytoremember.net}

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