Do not use initials in place of full names, although you may insert an initial for the middle name: Margaret W. Jacobs.

Do not address using nicknames unless the guest is a close friend, family member. Children are the exception. You can address them by the name they are used to: Johnny, Nikki, etc.

Do not abbreviate addresses or titles. In other words, don’t substitute St. for Street or Ave. for Avenue and don’t address Prof. but Professor and Hon. for The Honorable and so on. The obvious exceptions are Mr. Mrs. Mrs. Jr. Mr. At first glance it seems simple but when you review your list you realize that you have:

Members of the family

couples without children

Marriages with children.

Couples with children over 18 years of age.

Married couples where one has a professional degree

military personnel

Married couples where both have professional degrees

Unmarried couples living together

Singles, both men and women.

divorced single woman

Single woman who is a widow.

Each type of guest is treated differently.

While I try to address each situation, you may have a guest with other routing needs. Use your common sense and you will be fine.

Members of the family You can address your family members because of their relationships with you; uncle, aunt, etc… o Relatives and name; Grandma Mary and Grandpa Paul etc.

couples without children Mr. and Mrs. (Name and surname of husband)

Couples with children, but children are NOT invited Mr. and Mrs. (Name and surname of husband)

couples with children Mr. and Mrs. (Name and surname of husband) and names of relatives or children.

Couples with children over 18 years of age. Mr. and Mrs. (Name and surname of husband) and a separate invitation for each child over 18 years of age. (Mr. or Ms. is not required except for formal business). The name or nickname of the child and the last name are sufficient.

Marriages in which the husband has a professional title. If you are not married, skip and Mrs. If there are children invited, add the family or children’s names. Samples:

Doctor Doctor and Mrs. (Name and surname of the husband), if children and relatives are invited.

Judge The Hon. (husband’s first and last name) and Mrs. (last name) if children and family are invited.

teacher Teacher and Mrs. (Husband’s name and surname), if children and relatives are invited.

Dean Dean and Mrs. (Name and surname of husband) if children and relatives are invited.

Reverend Reverend and Mrs. (Husband’s first and last name), if children and relatives are invited.

Rabbi Rabbi and Mrs. (Name and surname of the husband), if children are invited, and relatives.

singer Cantor and Mrs. (Name and surname of the husband), if children and relatives are invited.

Married couples where the wife has a professional degree. If not married, skip and Mr. If children were invited, add family or children’s name. Samples:

Doctor: Physician (full name of the wife) and Mr. (Name and surname of the husband), if children and relatives are invited.

Judge: The honorable (full name of the wife) and the lord (name and surname of the husband), if children and relatives are invited.

Teacher: Professor (wife’s full name) and Mr. (Husband’s name and surname), if children and relatives are invited.

Dean: Dean (wife’s full name) and Mr. (husband’s first and last name), if children and family are invited.

Reverend: Reverend and Mr. (Name and surname of the husband), if children and relatives are invited.

Rabbi: Rabbi and Mr. (Name and surname of the husband), if children are invited, and relatives.

singer: Cantor and Mr. (Name and surname of husband), if children and relatives are invited.

For military, follow the same addressing procedure Put title first (Colonel….General….Captain….etc…

Married couples where both have professional degrees

Husband’s title followed by his first and last name and wife’s title followed by her first and last name and if children are invited, add and family.

Unmarried couples living together Ms., Mrs. (full name) and Mr. (full name)

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

Single woman Miss or Mrs. (full name) If applicable add – and guest.

Single woman – divorced Lady. o Ms. (full name), if applicable add – and guest.

Single woman – divorced with children children are invited Lady. o Mrs. (full name) and family, o (full name) and children’s first names. If applicable, add – and guest.

Single woman – widoweither Mrs. (her full name Anne Smith) OR Mrs. (late 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. (late husband John Smith’s full name) and the names of the children. If applicable, add – and guest.

military-only 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…

Provided with information, your invitations will be addressed correctly.

Copyright © Nily Glaser 2007

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