Invitations for Married Couples

• Married couples should be addressed as "Mr." and "Mrs." on your wedding invitation envelope. You do have a choice of wording that reflects your particular style and sociopolitical inclinations, however. You may either write "Mr. John and Mrs. Jane Doe" or "Mr. and Mrs. John Doe." If the married couple goes by two different surnames, address each individual by his or her full, correct name: "Mr. John Doe and Mrs. Jane Smith."
  
  

Invitations for Unmarried Couples

• When addressing an envelope to an unmarried couple, place each individual's name on its own line, for example:
  
  "Mr. Lionel Granger
  
  Ms. Tiffany Banks"
  
  You may order the names alphabetically or address the individual who is closest to you first -- both are correct.
  
  

Unnamed Dates

• If you are allowing guests to bring dates to your wedding, it is proper etiquette to obtain their full names before addressing the envelopes. Addressing an invitation to "Michael Jones and Guest" is not proper. This knowledge is also useful for creating place cards or seating arrangement signs, so take the time to investigate.
  
  

Children 18 Years of Age and Older

• Any guests 18 years of age and older should receive their own invitation, even if they are still living with their parents. Use the appropriate salutation, usually "Miss" or "Mr." when addressing the envelope. If you are inviting a family in which two or more siblings 18 years of age or older are still living with their parents, it is acceptable to send one invitation for both siblings instead of one to each. Address the envelope in alphabetical order and place each name on its own line, for example:
  
  "Miss Alice Holmes
  
  Mr. Geoffrey Holmes"
  
  

Guests with Professional Titles

• Address envelopes to professionals such as doctors by using the appropriate salutation: "Dr. Elizabeth Bailey." If the invitation is for a couple, the individual with the professional salutation is listed first on the envelope: "Dr. Elizabeth and Mr. George Bailey." If the couple does not share a surname, the envelope should read: "Dr. Elizabeth Stuart and Mr. George Bailey." If both individuals are doctors, address the envelope to "The Drs. Bailey" or to "Dr. Elizabeth Stuart and Dr. George Bailey."