ADDRESSING INVITATIONS PROPERLY What goes on the inner and outer envelope. Addressing Guests, Clergy and Politicians IT’S ALL HERE! Hope you’ll find these proper forms of etiquette as you prepare to address your envelopes…Joan Let me know if you need an Excel Spreadsheet for your addresses. joan@jbink.com Check out my beautiful invitations.
what goes on the
Outside envp.
Inside envp.
Married Couple
Sherri and Steven Smith(woman is listed first, man’s first and last name stay together Mr. and Mrs. Steven Smith Ms. Sherri and Mr. Steven Smith (man’s first and last name stay together) ... Ms. Sherri Davis and Mr. Steven Smith (married with different last names)
Sherri and Steven Mr. and Mrs. Smith Ms. and Mr. Smith Ms Doe and Mr. Smith
Married Couple Children under 13
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Smith Rachel and Alex
Married Couple Children over 13
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Smith (Children over 18 may receive a separate invitation)
Mr. and Mrs. Smit Miss or Ms. Rachel SmithMr. Alex Smith
Brothers or Sisters at same address
Messrs. Alex and Stuart Smith Misses Rachel and Nancy Smith Ms. Rachel Smith and Ms. Nancy Smith
The Messrs. Smith The Misses SmithMs. Smith and Ms. Smith
Divorced Womanor separated
Ms. Audrey Miller Mrs. Audrey Miller Ms. Audrey Smith (maiden name restored)
Ms. Miller Mrs. Audrey Miller Ms. Smith
Widow
Mrs. John Miller (if recent widow) Mrs. Audrey Miller Ms. Audrey Miller
Mrs. Miller Mrs. Miller Ms. Miller
Jr. or junior
Mr. Steven Smith, Jr. (use comma with abbrev.) or Mr. Steven Smith junior (junior is lower case and spelled out)
Mr. Smith
II, III
Mr. Steven Smith III
Mr. Smith
Married couple both Doctors
The Doctors Smith Doctors Sherri and Steven Smith Dr. Sherri Davis and Dr. Steven Smith Dr. Sherri and Mr. Steven Smith
The Doctors Smith Dr. Davis and Dr. Smith
Wife only has title
Dr. Sherri and Mr. Steven Smith
Dr. Smith and Mr. Smith
Wife uses maiden name
Ms. Sherri Davis and Mr. Steven Smith
Ms. Davis and Mr. Smith
Two unmarriedsl living togetheras a couple (partners)
Ms. Jane Doe Mr. John Smith
Ms. Smith, Mr. Smith

Addressing Clergy

The Pope
His Holiness (name), Vatican City, Italy (The Pope will send you a Papal Blessing)
Priest
The Reverend Father Steven Smith
Protestant Clergy
The Reverend and Mrs. Steven Smith(woman) The Reverend Sherri Smith and Mr. Steven Smith(2) with Doctorate) The Reverend Dr. and Mrs. Steven Smith
Minister (P)
The Reverend Father Steven Smith
Sister
Sister Sherri Smith
Brother
Brother Steven (or Brother Steven Smith)
Rabbi
Rabbi and Mrs. Steven Smith
Rabbi with Doctorate
Dr. (or Rabbi) and Mrs. Steven Smith
Cantor
Cantor and Mrs. Steven Smith
Chaplain
Chaplain and Mrs. Steven Smith
Cardinal
His Eminence, Steven, Cardinal Smith
Archbishop (RC)
The Most Reverend Steven Smith
Bishop (PE)
The Most Reverend Dr. and Mrs. Steven Smith
Bishop (Methodist)
The Reverend Steven Smith and Mrs. Smith
Bishop (Mormon)
Bishop and Mrs. Steven Smith
Dean (PE)
The Very Reverend and Mrs. Steven Smith
Canon (PE)
The Reverend Canon and Mrs. Steven Smith
Monsignor
The Right Reverend Monsignor Steven Smith
Priest

Universities

College President
President (or Chancellor) and Mrs. Steven Smith Dr. and Mrs. Steven Smith
Woman
Dr. Sherri and Mr. Steven Smith Dean (or Dr.) and Mrs. Steven Smith

Elected Officials

“The Honorable” may be used to address: Cabinet Members; Presidential Assistants; Ambassadors; Judges; All members of Congress; Heads, Assistant Heads and Commissioners of US Government Agencies; Governor and Lieutenant Governor; Secretary of State, Chief Justice and Attorney General of a State; State Treasurer; Comptroller, Auditor, State Representative; Assemblyman or Delegate; Mayor; Members of City Council; Commissioners; etc.
DID YOU KNOW?…If you are using first names, the woman comes first and the man’s first and last name stay together.…If you are using titles, the person with the title is listed first.…If only one of the two unmarried names lives at that address, that person is listed first.…If one person is invited to the event and the other is their guest or escort,the person you know is listed first.…If you are addressing two men or two women,you might list names in alphabetical order.…………………………………………………. Addressing THE PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES
The President and Mrs. Smith(woman) The President and Mr. Steven Smith (2)The White House, Washington, D.C. 20500The White House will send you an official greeting.