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How to Address Wedding Envelopes: A Complete Guide to Etiquette, Formats, and Design

Posted by Malone Phillips on Jun 4th 2025

Your wedding invitation envelopes do more than just deliver the details—they set the tone for your entire celebration. Whether you're planning a black-tie affair or a casual garden party, proper envelope addressing adds elegance and clarity. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know: traditional etiquette, modern formatting options, inner vs. outer envelope use, and how Sterling Stripes makes the process seamless.

Traditional Wedding Envelope Etiquette

For formal weddings, traditional addressing provides structure and sophistication. Titles are used, addresses are fully spelled out, and family roles are clearly defined.

Examples of Traditional Formats:

  • Married Couple:
    Mr. and Mrs. John Hamilton

  • Married Couple with Children:
    Mr. and Mrs. John Hamilton
    Louisa and John, Jr.

  • Woman Kept Maiden Name:
    Ms. Samantha White and Mr. William Young

  • Doctor and Spouse:
    Doctor and Mrs. Douglas Ross

  • Both are Doctors:
    Doctor Carol Ross and Doctor Douglas Ross

  • Judge and Spouse:
    The Honorable Sandra Day O’Connor and Mr. John O’Connor

  • Unmarried Couple Living Together:
    Ms. Sally Albright
    Mr. Harry Burns

  • Single Guest with a Plus One (Unknown):
    Ms. Samantha Jones and Guest

  • Single Guest with a Known Guest:
    Ms. Samantha Jones and Mr. Daniel Cohen

Modern Envelope Addressing Options

Modern weddings often embrace a more relaxed approach. While still polished, this style skips formal titles and may use first names only.

Examples of Informal Formats:

  • Married Couple: Jane and John Hamilton

  • With Children: Jane and John Hamilton
    Louisa and John

  • Unmarried Couple: Sally Albright and Harry Burns

  • Plus One (Unknown): Samantha Jones + Guest

  • Plus One (Known): Samantha Jones and Daniel Cohen

Choose one tone and stick with it throughout your envelope list for a cohesive presentation.

A Note About Informal Envelope Addressing

Some couples choose to forgo titles on their envelopes. If you're not including titles, you do not need to follow the traditional "ladies first" rule when addressing an unmarried couple with different last names. Instead, list the guest you are closest to first, followed by their date.

However, when addressing a married couple, the woman’s name still typically comes first:
Jane and John Doe, not John and Jane Doe—this keeps the man’s full name intact.

You can also use titles and include both first names for a married couple:
Mrs. Jane Doe and Mr. John Doe
While not traditionally done, many modern couples prefer this style for a more inclusive and balanced approach.

Inner and Outer Envelopes: What’s the Difference?

For formal invitations, it's traditional to use both an outer envelope and an inner envelope, each serving a different purpose.

The Outer Envelope
This is the mailing envelope—the one the post office sees. It includes the full name(s), address, and any necessary mailing details:

Mr. and Mrs. John Hamilton
125 Maple Avenue
Charleston, South Carolina 29401

The Inner Envelope
This envelope sits inside the outer one and is not marked with an address. Its purpose is to clearly communicate exactly who is invited, in a more personal tone. Titles are often omitted here, and children’s names can be added:

John and Mary
Louisa and John, Jr.

This format makes it especially helpful when inviting families—you can indicate that children are invited by listing them here. If you are not using an inner envelope, it’s important to make this clear on the outer envelope or in your invitation wording.

Do I Need Both?
Not necessarily. Many modern weddings skip the inner envelope for simplicity or cost. But if your wedding leans more formal or traditional—or if you’re using fine letterpress or calligraphy—inner envelopes add a layer of polish.

Formatting Guidelines for Addressing Envelopes

To ensure your guest list is print-ready, keep these formatting guidelines in mind:

  • Enter names exactly as you want them printed—check punctuation, spelling, and capitalization.

  • Spell out street names and directionals (e.g., “Avenue,” “Post Office Box,” “North”).

  • Use either full state names or two-letter postal abbreviations—just be consistent.

  • Children under 18 should be listed on a second line under their parents.

  • Children 18 and older should receive their own invitations.

  • Middle names are optional and typically only included if the guest uses it regularly.

Our Envelope Addressing Design Process

At Sterling Stripes, our guest addressing process is designed to be simple and precise:

  1. Submit Your List
    Download our pre-formatted Excel template and enter your names, addresses, and any envelope preferences. Download our Excel Template here: Excel Guest Addressing Template

  2. We Review for You
    We’ll check for formatting consistency, proper etiquette, and any common errors before sending a proof.

  3. Digital Proofing
    You’ll receive a digital proof showing how everything will appear. Revisions can be made at this stage.

  4. Print with Precision
    Once approved, your envelopes are printed with care—whether you’ve chosen classic ink, white ink, or a metallic finish.

Learn more about our design process here →

Envelope Addressing Options We Offer

Looking to add a unique touch to your envelopes? We offer several ink options to suit your wedding aesthetic:

Final Tips for Success

  • Start early—guest list compiling and proofreading take time.

  • Be consistent—choose formal or informal formatting and stick with it.

  • Double-check spellings, especially names and apartment numbers.

  • Include return addressing for a polished, cohesive presentation.

Need help formatting your guest list?
Download our Excel Template here: Excel Guest Addressing Template

Whether you're going classic or modern, using white ink or gold foil, our team at Sterling Stripes is here to help you make a beautiful first impression—one envelope at a time.