HOW TO ADDRESS OUTER ENVELOPES

When preparing your addresses for your outer envelopes,
be sure to follow these basic rules of etiquette.

Spell out roads, streets, states and anything that could possibly be abbreviated.
Use formal names, no nicknames.

If you are NOT using inner envelopes, your outer envelope needs to include every person invited by name.
Children's names are listed on the line below their parent's in order of seniority. For more informal addressing, you may opt for using "and family".

"Miss" is used for girls under the age of 18, otherwise use "Ms." Boys receive title of "Mr. once they reach age 18.

Families with children over the age of 18 should receive their own invitation.

People living together who are not in a romantic relationship should receive their own invitations.

HOW TO ADDRESS INNER ENVELOPES

If you are including inner envelopes, this is where you would place any additional guest or children that are invited with the main guests. Children's names and "and Guest" are left off the outer envelope. Families with children over the age of 18 should receive their own invitation. For family, it is acceptable to use more personal titles such as Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt, Uncle, etc.

Why use inner envelopes?
The inner envelope is used to avoid any confusion as to who is invited as you specify here exactly who is invited to your wedding. They are especially useful for an adults-only reception. The inner envelope also doesn't get dirty from post office processing, and your guests are likely to hold onto the inner envelope instead of throwing it away. If using an envelope liner, it will then go on the inner envelope and it will not get ripped while opening the envelope since the inner envelope is not sealed.

HOW TO ADDRESS RESPONSE ENVELOPE

The response envelope, or if using a postcard, is generally addressed to the bride or whoever is collecting the responses. A stamp will go on either the envelope or postcard, unless you are mailing an invitation to a foreign address, where postage should not be put on those.

BELOW ARE SOME SAMPLES FOR HOW TO HANDLE ADDRESSING NAMES: