Envelope Addressing Etiquette

While addressing envelopes may seem like a piece of cake, there are a few rules you’ll want to stick to when sending out your wedding invitations. Before you start putting pen to paper, review these tips to make sure you’re doing it right - there’s no need to waste any of that pricey stationery!

Here’s a little course on envelope addressing etiquette.

What to do:
Use full names instead of nicknames
Write out numeric street names (Fifth Street instead of 5th Street)
Spell out street numbers when they are a single digit (Four instead of 4)

What to avoid:
Do not abbreviate province names
Do not abbreviate any cardinal directions (North, South, East, West)
Do not abbreviate types of street (Avenue, Boulevard, Crescent, Lane, etc.)
Do not shorten generational suffixes like “Senior” or “Junior”

Married couple, same last name
Include both full names on the same line. Use the titles “Mr.” and “Mrs.” followed by the man’s entire name.
Example: Mr. and Mrs. John Doe

Married couple, same-sex, same last name
Include both full names on the same line. Start the line with “The Mesdames” (for women) or “The Mrssrs.” (for men) followed by both first names (joined by the “and” conjunction) and couple’s last name. You could also use “Mrs. and Mrs.” or “Mr. and Mr.”.
Example: The Mesdames Janet and Jane Doe or The Mrssrs. John and Jacob Doe

Married couple, same-sex, different last names
Include both full names on the same line, each beginning with their title. Use the “and” conjunction to bond them. .
Example: Ms. Jane Smith and Ms. Jane Doe

Married couple and their children (under 18)
On the first line use the rules above and write the married couple’s names. On the second line include the children’s first names ordered by age.
Example: Mr. and Mrs. John Doe
Georgia, Julian and Ryan

Married couple and their children (over 18)
On the first line use the rules above and write the married couples’ names. On the second line include the children’s first names ordered by age, beginning with the title “Miss” or “Mr”.
Example:
Mr. and Mrs. John Doe
Miss Georgia Doe and Mr. Julian Doe

Guest with a plus one
Use the guest’s full name beginning with their title. Add “and guest” to the end of the line.
Example: Ms. Jane Doe and Guest

Unmarried couple
Stack both full names on two separate lines, each beginning with their title. There is no designated order for the names.
Example:
Ms. Jane Smith
Mr. John Doe

Unmarried woman
Use the “Ms.” title, followed by the woman’s full name.
Example: Ms. Jane Doe.

Widowed woman
It is typical to use the “Mrs.” title along with the name of the woman’s late spouse, but sometimes widows prefer for letters to be addressed with her own name. Ask before addressing.
Example: Mrs. John Doe or Mrs. Jane Doe

Divorced woman
You can use either Mrs. or Ms., followed by the woman’s first name and maiden name or her married last name (depending on what she goes by).
Example: Mrs. Jane Doe

Married couple, same last name, man is a doctor
Include both names on the same line. Use the title “Dr. and “Mrs.” followed by the man’s full name.
Example: Dr. and Mrs. John Doe.

Married couple, same last name, woman is a doctor
Include both full names on the same line, each beginning with their title. Use the “and” conjunction to bond them. The woman’s name should be listed first and should begin with the “Dr.”title.
Example: Dr. Jane Doe and Mr. John Doe

Married couple, same last name, both doctors
Begin with the title “The Doctors” (or The Drs.,) followed by the couple’s last name.
Example: The Doctors John Doe or The Drs., John Doe

Married couple, same last name, man is a judge
Include both full names on the same line. Start the line with “The Honourable and Mrs.” followed by the man’s first name and couple’s last name.
Example: The Honourable and Mrs. John Doe

Married couple, same last name, woman is a judge
Include both full names on the same line, each beginning with their title, using the “and” conjunction to bond them. The woman’s name should be listed first and preceded by “The Honourable” title.
Example: The Honourable Jane Doe and Mr. John Doe

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