The envelope wording is the first thing your guests see.
When you invite guests to a party, shower, wedding or other celebration, you must address the envelope with the individual's name. The way you word the invitation depends on a variety of factors, including the guest's relationship with another and whether they're married or living with someone. Proper etiquette dictates that you address each envelope in a semi-professional manner.
Instructions
1. Use the formal name of the guest, rather than any nickname. For example, if the person goes by "Bob," you would use "Robert" and if Katherine is "Katie" to her friends, you still use the formal "Katherine" for the invitation.
2. Add a title in front of the name, such as Mr., Miss, Ms., Dr. or Mrs. Use the titles of political figures, clergy and military personnel, instead of a generic title. Use reverend, mayor, lieutenant, governor, rabbi or an official title, in front of the name. For judges, use honorable.
3. Address invitations to married couples using the husband's name. You should write "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith" for a married couple. If the wife still uses her last name, then address the invitation to the wife first and then the husband, such as "Ms. Betty Doe and Mr. John Smith," or if she hyphenates her last name, use "Mrs. Betty Doe-Smith and Mr. John Smith."
4. List the other family members or guests allowed at the event on the envelope, but underneath the invitation recipient's name. For example, the first line would read, "Mr. John Smith" and underneath you would write, "and Family" or "and Guest."
5. Invite unmarried couples by listing both names on the first line. The first name should be the person closely associated to the event, such as the woman if she has known you longer. If neither have a close relationship or both do, then list the names alphabetically.
Tags: John Smith, first line, front name, last name, name should