How to Address Wedding Invitations

Married couples

Formal: Mr and Mrs James Brennan. Modern and safer: Sarah and James Brennan, or Sarah Kelly and James Brennan on one line if she kept her name.

Unmarried couples living together

Both full names on one line, alphabetically or with the person you know better first: Aoife Doyle and Michael Byrne.

Families with children

Parents on the first line, children on the second: Sarah and James Brennan, and Emma and Tom. Children over eighteen should get their own invitation.

Single guests and plus ones

If you know the partner's name, use it — never write "and guest" when you could write their name.

If a single guest may bring someone, address the envelope to them and add "and guest" on the invitation itself, so the offer is clear.

Titles, Ms and doctors

Use Ms unless someone has told you they prefer Miss or Mrs. Doctor before the name for medical doctors; academic titles are optional and usually skipped for a relaxed wedding.

If in doubt, use first and last names with no titles. It reads warm rather than incorrect.