Bridal etiquette for addressing envelopes
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Sending wedding invitations ranks high on the "to-do" list for wedding planning. As with most bridal tasks, there are rules of etiquette for addressing the envelopes. Martha Stewart observes, "although the etiquette for addressing and assembling invitations has relaxed, there are still some requirements." Following the etiquette for addressing the wedding envelopes helps guests to feel that you have put time, effort, and thought into inviting them to your special day.
Inner and Outer Envelope Etiquette
Inner and outer envelopes are traditional.
Wedding invitations have traditionally had both an inner and outer envelope. Historically, according to Crane & Co., invitations were hand-delivered to guests' homes, where the servants removed the outer envelope, and conveyed only the inner envelope to the invitee. This history influences the way these envelopes continue to be addressed. Outer envelopes display guests' titles, names and full mailing addresses. The inner envelope shows only the guests' titles and names.
General Addressing Etiquette
All names, social titles and addresses (including city, state, and house numbers under 20) should be fully written with no abbreviations. Married couples' invitations, according to Emily Post, should always be addressed to "both members of the [...] couple even though the bride may know only one." If the couple has different last names, the wife's name traditionally appears first and the names are joined by "and." The Knot explains that co-habitating unmarried couples' names are written in alphabetical order, one name per line. If a single invitee may bring a guest, indicate this only on the inner envelope, including the person's name or the phrase "and Guest."
Addressing Etiquette and Children
Inviting children
When younger children are invited to a wedding, their names are included only on the inner envelope of their parents' invitation--either with their names or the phrase "and Family" according to The Knot. Children over 18 should receive their own invitations (although siblings both over 18 may receive a joint invitation). In general, if the child's name or "and family" is not included on the inner envelope, guests should understand that the wedding is adults-only.
Return Address Etiquette
Return addresses traditionally go on the back.
Although Emily Post notes that the inclusion of return addresses on bridal envelopes was once considered "bad taste," she believes it is "time to change the rule." Traditionally, the return address was blind embossed (raised colorless letters) on the back flap of the envelope so that the first glimpse of engraved writing would be on the invitation itself. The Postal Service prefers a darker engraved return address on the front of the envelope, and Post agrees, seeing no reason why the return address cannot be legibly engraved on the front. Crane and Co. disagrees and cautions "Don't do it. It will make your invitations look too commercial."
Labels vs. Handwritten Address Etiquette
Handwritten addresses are preferable.
It may be tempting, particularly with a large guest list, to opt for printed address labels. Martha Stewart advises against this shortcut, stating "the address on a wedding invitation should be handwritten- printed labels are not appropriate." The Knot agrees, adding that handwritten invites are not only more formal, but also more personal. Stewart concedes, however, that computer-generated calligraphy printed directly on envelopes is becoming more acceptable and The Knot suggests that brides who decide to use labels should "at least go with a computer font that looks like script, and use clear labels so your invitations will have some semblance of being hand-addressed."
Source: www.ehow.com
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