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Tips wedding stationery and invitation and etiquette for Addressing Invitations PART II - HOW TO ADDRESS INVITATIONS PROPERLY

ADDRESSING YOUR INVITATIONS

Whether you are planning a formal wedding or a picnic at a park, your invitations make the first impression. It is therefore important that you address them correctly. Following is the acceptable format with its dos and don'ts.

  • Do not use initials instead of full names though you may insert an initial for the middle name - Margaret W. Jacobs.
  • Do not address using nicknames unless the invitee is a close friend, or a family member. Children are the exception. You may address them by the name they are used to - Johnny, Nikki etc...
  • Do not abbreviate addresses or titles. In other words do not substituteor St. for Street or Ave. for Avenue and do not address Prof. but Professor and The Hon. for The Honorable and so on. The obvious exceptions are Mr. Mrs. Ms. Jr. Sr.

    At first glance it seems simple but as you review your list you realize that you have:

  • Family members
  • Married couples without children
  • Married couples with children.
  • Married couples with children over 18 years old.
  • Married couples where one has a professional title
  • Military personnel
  • Married couples where both have professional titles
  • Unmarried couples living together
  • Singles, both male and female.
  • Single female who are divorced
  • Single female who are widowed.

    • Each type of guest is addressed differently.

    Though I attempt to address every situation, you may find that you have a Guest with other addressing needs. Use your common sense and you'll do just fine.

    Family members You may address family members by their relations to you; Uncle, Aunt etc... or Relations and first name; Grandma Mary and Grandpa Paul etc...
    Married couples without children Mr. and Mrs. (Husband's first and last name)
    Married couples with children, but children Are NOT invited Mr. and Mrs. (Husband's first and last name)
    Married couples with children Mr. and Mrs. (Husband's first and last name) and family or children's names.
    Married couples with children over 18 years old. Mr. and Mrs. (Husband's first and last name) and a separate invitation for each child over 18. (Mr. or Miss not mandatory except for formal affairs.) Child's first name or Nick name and family name is sufficient.

    Married couples where the husband has a professional title. If not married omit and Mrs. If children invited add either and family or children's names. Samples:

    Doctor Doctor and Mrs. (Husband's first and last name), if children are invited, and family.
    Judge The honorable (Husband's first and last name) and Mrs. (family name) if children are invited, and family.
    Professor Professor and Mrs.(Husband's first and last name), if children are invited, and family.
    Dean Dean and Mrs. (Husband's first and last name) if children are invited, and family.
    Reverend Reverend and Mrs. (Husband's first and last name), if children are invited, and family.
    Rabbi Rabbi and Mrs. (Husband's first and last name)), if children are invited, and family.
    Cantor Cantor and Mrs. (Husband's first and last name), if children are invited, and family.

    Married couples where the wife has a professional title. If not married omit and Mr. If children invited add either and family, or children's names. Samples:

    Doctor: Doctor (wife's full name) and Mr. (Husband's first and last name), if children are invited, and family.
    Judge: The honorable (wife's full name) and Mr. (Husband's first and last name), if children are invited, and family.

    Professor: Professor (wife's full name) and Mr. (Husband's first and last name), if children are invited, and family.
    Dean: Dean (wife's full name) and Mr. (Husband's first and last name), if children are invited, and family.
    Reverend: Reverend and Mr. (Husband's first and last name), if children are invited, and family.
    Rabbi: Rabbi and Mr. (Husband's first and last name), if children are invited, and family.
    Cantor: Cantor and Mr. (Husband's first and last name), if children are invited, and family.

    For Military, follow the same addressing procedure Place the title first (Colonel .... General .... Captain .... etc...

    Married couples where both have professional titles
    Husband's title followed by his first and last name and wife's title followed her first and last name and if children are invited, add and family.

    Unmarried couples who live together Miss, ms (full name) and Mr. (full name)

  • Single man Mr. (full name) If applicable add - and guest.

  • Single woman Miss or Ms. (full name) If applicable add - and guest.
  • Single woman - divorced Mrs. or Ms. (full name), If applicable add - and guest.
  • Single woman - divorced with children children are invited Mrs. or Ms. (full name) and family, or (full name) and children's first names. If applicable add - and guest.

  • Single woman - widoweither Mrs. (her full name Anne Smith) Or Mrs. (deceased husband's full name John Smith). If applicable add - and guest.
  • Single woman - widow with children either Mrs. (her full name Anne Smith) Or Mrs. (deceased husband's full name John Smith) and children's names. If applicable add - and guest.
  • Single military example: Colonel (full name) and if applicable add - and guest, General (full name) and if applicable add - and guest, Captain (full name) and if applicable add - and guest etc...

    . Armed with information your invitations will be addressed properly.

    Copyrights © Nily Glaser 2007

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    AUTHOR BY LINE

    Nily Glaser, the CEO of A-wedding Day at: http://www.a-weddingday.com is a retired school principal. Her vast experience with every possible family situation and her concern for children, helped her become an expert. Not only does she write important articles, Nily Glaser has presented workshops for educators and for wedding professionals all over the USA. Nily Glaser pays special attention to enlighten educators, families and wedding professionals. Her web site is a very popular Wedding Resource and Information Center, and a discount shopping mall for wedding gifts, supplies and bridal accessories including the exclusive Wedding Accessories By Nily.
    To read more of her articles click here.
    For your FREE "Planning your wedding" checklist, CLICK HERE.</p

    About the Author

    Nily Glaser, an educator and a published author, is the CEO of a-weddingday.com She writes important articles, and presents workshops for wedding professionals all over the USA. Her web site, popular for its Wedding Resources and Information, theme and family weddings, has a discount mall for wedding gifts, including the exclusive line of Wedding Accessories By Nily.

    Author: Nily Glaser Copyrights 2007

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