For a heterosexual couple, use "Mr." and "Mrs." and spell out the husband's first and last name. For a same-sex couple, either name can go first.
Traditionally, the man's full name is written out, with the titles of “Mr. and Mrs.” included. You can also opt to include both first names individually for a less traditional spin on how to address wedding invitations. This is the same for same-sex couples.
When addressing a couple, use their names joined by "and" or an ampersand on the same line. Use this format even if the married couple does not share the same last name or if you are addressing a couple who share the same address but are not married. Whose name appears first when signing a card?
When writing wedding wishes, the most important thing to remember is to make out the card to both members of the couple. “If you know the bride, don't make the mistake of addressing something very personal to just her,” says Meier.
As a general rule of thumb, the outer envelope tends to be more formal, featuring your guest's full name with title and their full address. The inner envelope is more informal and can show just a first name, their last name and title, or initials.
Recipient's name and address: The recipient's name and address are placed in the center of the envelope. The top line is the recipient's full name, the second line is the recipient's street address, and the third line is the recipient's city, state, and zip code.
The outer envelope is addressed conventionally using titles, first, (middle), and last names. An invitation to an unmarried couple residing at the same address is addressed with both names connected by “and.” Use one or two lines, depending on length.
For a heterosexual couple, use "Mr." and "Mrs." and spell out the husband's first and last name. For a same-sex couple, either name can go first. Many modern women may have a strong aversion to having their name left out and lumped in with their husbands.
In traditional wedding etiquette, the bride's name goes first followed by the groom's name. This is because traditionally it is the bride's parents who are hosting (and financing) the wedding and it is they who are inviting the guests to attend.
Addressing a Couple
NOTE: Traditionally, a woman's name preceded a man's on an envelope address, and his first and surname were not separated (Jane and John Kelly). Nowadays, the order of the names—whether his name or hers comes first—does not matter and either way is acceptable.
To a Married Couple
Should you choose to include both persons' names, the outer envelope can be addressed as Mr. and Mrs. HIS FIRSTNAME LASTNAME. An alternate version includes both names as Mr.
Married Couples
If the same-sex couple is married, you should write both names on the same line, and separate them with the word "and." You can choose to give each name its own title; for example: "Mr. Dan Brown and Mr. John Smith" or "Mrs. Amanda Jones and Mrs.
Wedding Tips
If you know that a member of the couple will be changing their last name, it is always fun to use "The Future Mr. and Mrs. (last name)". If you think the couple will be keeping their last names, you can list them on two separate lines on the envelope.
Here's what I learned: Outside of the traditional, formal “Mr. & Mrs. John Doe”, the wife's name is ALWAYS first when using first names: “Jane and John Doe” (1).
Use the “Mr. and Mrs.” title, followed by the man's full name, or write out each person's first name. You can put the woman first, if you prefer.
Bride and Groom Introduction Wording Ideas
Announcements could be: “For the first time as husband and wife, John and Jane!” or for gender-neutral versions: “For the first time as a married couple, John and Joe!” or even “Now introducing the newlyweds, Jane and Joan!”
List the names of deceased persons where appropriate in wedding programs, adding "the late" in front of the names. For example, if the bride's mother has passed away, the bride's parents would be listed as "Mr. John Smith and the late Mrs. Jane Smith."
Traditionally the name of the bride always precedes the groom's name. If the bride's parents are included on the invitation and she shares their last name, then only her first and middle name are used. This same rule applies for the groom. If the couple is hosting by themselves, last names are needed.
Traditionally for married couples, you include the male's first and last name (i.e. Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Arendt). It's likely the most familiar and the most common way to address envelopes.
Though etiquette for addressing and assembling wedding invitations has relaxed, there are still some requirements. For example, your guests' names should be written in full on outer envelopes; avoid nicknames or initials. Use the appropriate social titles as well, such as addressing married couples as "Mr.
This name is usually written on your card in the format “Title First-name Middle-initial Last-Name” and this is the standard format for entering the “name on card”. Even if you're using someone else's card, enter the “name on card” as it appears on the card.
“Mrs.” is the proper title for a married woman whether she has taken her spouse's last name or not. This was not always the case–you used to only use Mrs. if you were taking your husband's first and last name– but times have changed!
Address a couple that lives together with their appropriate titles joined together with “and.” For example, “Ms. Jane Doe and Mr. John Mark.” When addressing an entire family use the family's last name preceded by “The.” For example, “The Smiths.”