We get lots of questions about the best way to address guests on wedding invitations. We’ve put together a quick guide to the etiquette behind addressing your guests correctly, without causing any offense. Formal titles are traditional, but we also recommend no titles for less-formal events.

Some Examples

Married Couple

Mr. John and Mrs. Sophia Smith
or
Mr. and Mrs. Smith 
or
John and Sophia Smith

Married Couple with Different Last Names

Mr. John Smith and Mrs. Sophia Devine 
or
John Smith and Sophia Devine

Unmarried Couple Living Together

Mr. John Smith
Ms. Sophia Devine
or
John Smith
Sophia Devine
(On separate lines) 

Same-Sex Couple

Ms. Jennifer Watson and Ms. Julia Moray
or
Jennifer Watson and Julia Moray
(Alphabetical order, or whomever is the closest acquaintance.)

Families

The shortest wording option is to include the parents' names and “and Family” afterwards.
Mr. John and Mrs. Sophia Smith and Family
or
Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Family
or
John and Sophia Smith and family

For girls under 18, use the prefix 'Miss', for boys under 18 no title is needed.

Children 18 and Older

If children 18 and older do not live with their parents, they should receive their own invitations.
Ms. Sarah Smith
or
Sarah Smith
 

Married Doctors

Doctors Jennifer and Thomas Smith
or
Dr. Jennifer and Mr. Thomas Smith
or
Dr. Thomas and Mrs. Jennifer Smith

We’ve included the most common circumstances that we’ve come across, but please get in touch if you need additional advice. We also have an Excel document that you can use to compile your delivery address list and / or name band list. Download the free Envelope Delivery Address template or the combined Envelope & Name band template.