Etiquette

Sample Addressing Formats for (Nearly) Every Situation

Invitations with a single envelope

If you elect to use a single envelope with your invitation, here are some suggestions for addressing the outside of the single envelope.

1. Married Couples
   1. Married couples living in the same house

      Mr. and Mrs. George Smith, junior
      800 Audubon Place
      New Orleans, Louisiana
      70131

   2. Married couples in which the woman has retained her maiden name or professional name.
Some experts say the woman’s name appears first

      Ms. Elaine Austin Rogers
      Mr. Edward Paris Whittemore
      101 Decatur
      New Orleans, Louisiana
      70131

   3. Others suggest the names be listed alphabetically

      Ms. Judy Pigeon
      Mr. Benjamin Jeffery Brennan
      etc.
      
      Mr. Bernard Commander
      Ms. Anne Rulph
      etc.

2. Unmarried Couples
   1. Unmarried couples living in the same house should be listed alphabetically

      Ms. Elaine Boudreaux
      Ms. Susan Zataran
      12 Magazine Street
      New Orleans, Louisiana
      75341
      
      Ms. Caroline Hightower
      Mr. David Rudolph
      12 Magazine Street
      New Orleans, Louisiana
      75341

3. Family Invitation
   1. A family with young children. It is considered correct to send a separate invitation to each child 18 years or older.

      Mr. and Mrs. Richard Credit
      Will and Elise
      12 Magazine Street
      New Orleans, Louisiana
      75341

4. Single Individual with Guest
   1. If you wish to encourage a single friend to invite a guest, find out the guest’s name, especially if the couple is engaged, living in the same house, or seeing each other on an exclusive basis. If they live at different addresses, it is considerate to send an invitation to the guest directly. Otherwise address as follows:

      Ms. Evelyn Phillips
      Mr. John Wesley Noteworthy
      12 Magazine Street
      New Orleans, Louisiana
      75341

   2. If you cannot obtain the name ahead of time, it is also correct to address

      Ms. Evelyn Phillps and guest
      
      Mr. John Wesley Noteworthy and guest

Invitations with double envelopes

If you elect to use two envelopes with your invitations, here are suggestions for addressing the inner and outer envelopes:

1. Married Couples
   1. Married couples living in the same house

      Outer Envelope
      Mr. and Mrs. George Sterne
      12 Magazine Street
      New Orleans, Louisiana
      75341

      Inner Envelope
      Mr. and Mrs. Sterne

   2. Married couples in which the woman has retained her maiden or professional name.
      Some experts say the woman’s name appears first

      Outer Envelope
      Ms. Elaine Austin Connick
      Mr. Edward Paris Whittemore
      12 Magazine Street
      New Orleans, Louisiana
      75341

      Inner Envelope
      Ms. Connick
      Mr. Whittemore

   3. Others suggest the names be listed alphabetically
      

      Outer Envelope
      Mrs. Elaine Austin Dolittle
      Mr. Conrad Hemenway etc.

      Inner Envelope
      Ms. Dolittle Mr. Hemenway etc.

2. Unmarried Couples
   1. Unmarried couples living in the same house should be listed alphabetically

      Outer Envelope
      Ms. Caroline Pigeon
      Mr. David Rudolph
      12 Magazine Street
      New Orleans, Louisiana
      75341

      Inner Envelope
      Ms. Pigeon
      Mr. Rudolph

3. Family Invitation
   1. A family with young children
      

      Outer Envelope
      Mr. and Mrs. Richard Credit
      Will and Elise
      12 Magazine Street
      New Orleans, Louisiana
      75341

      Inner Envelope
      Mr. and Mrs. Credit
      Will and Elise (by seniority)

      It is considered correct to send a separate invitation to each child 18 years or older. You may also use the title Master if the young man is under the age of 13.
4. Single Individual with Guest
   1. If you wish to encourage a single friend to invite a guest, you should learn the name of the guest, especially if they are engaged, living in the same house, or seeing each other on an exclusive basis. If they live at different addresses, it is considerate to send an invitation to the guest directly.
      Otherwise address as follows:

      Outer Envelope
      Ms. Evelyn Phuc
      Mr. John Wesley Turnwood
      12 Magazine Street
      New Orleans, Louisiana
      75341

      Inner Envelope
      Ms. Phuc Mr. Turnwood

   2. If you cannot obtain the name ahead of time, it is also correct to address

      Outer Envelope
      Mr. Walter Mizell
      12 Magazine Street
      New Orleans, Louisiana
      75341

      Inner Envelope
      Mr. Mizell and guest

Additional Note

Stationery for your child

When ordering Informals for a child, use the following

Before arrival: Baby Smith or Amanda Smith (mother)
After arrival: Jonathan Mickal Smith (child’s name)

It is acceptable to use stationery with your son/daughters name since they are unable to compose their own note. Always sign your name at the close.

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