There are so many “rules” and alternate rules and rules that change with the times.

This one is pretty straightforward: Just use the appropriate title and full name (unless they are divorced or their spouse has passed away, in which case scroll down for guidelines).

The Honorable (for high-ranking federal and state officials and judges).

Honorifics also include occupation-related titles, such as: (abbreviation of French “Messieurs”) for married men with the same last name (abbreviation of French “Mesdames”) for married women with the same last name for people who don’t identify with either gender or choose not to use a gender-specific honorific (this isn’t a generic term for someone whose gender you just don’t know-using “Mx.” is an expressed choice) for women who are unmarried, have married and kept their own last name or hyphenated both last names, or prefer a title that doesn’t refer to their marital status (for “Mistress”) for women who are married or have been married

Master for boys 12 and younger (this one is kind of old-fashioned).

(for Mister or French Monsieur) for married or unmarried men Lawrence Sells” and the one to your close couple friends to “Bailey and Parker Johnson-James.”įormal invitations call for courtesy titles or “honorifics”: Address your always-proper great aunt and uncle’s envelope to “Mr. If you choose to depart from traditional wedding etiquette rules, you can mix and match to suit the styles of your guests.

Women or both members of the couple may hyphenate their two last names.

Women may prefer to have their first names included in addition to their husband’s.

Using them correctly shows you hold your guests in high esteem.

Especially in the case of occupation-related honorifics, titles are earned.

So the decision to use traditional wedding envelope addressing etiquette has become a mix of wedding vibe, couple’s choice (most important) and respect for the guests’ preferences.

But some wedding invitations, like many weddings, have become less formal. Inspired? Create and share by tagging tip: Looking for the basics of what information belongs on an envelope and where it goes? We’ve got you covered.

Card envelope address template