Addressing Formats

Here's a quick guide to figure out how to properly format names on your envelopes: 

Married couple – Formal:
Outer: Mr. and Mrs. Ian Hunt
Inner: Mr. and Mrs. Hunt
 

Married couple – Informal:
Outer: Kate and Ian Hunt
Inner: Kate and Ian
 

Same sex partners – Married or Unmarried:
Outer: Mr. Elton John and Mr. David Furnish
Inner: Mr. John and Mr. Furnish
Or: Outer: Mrs. Rosie O’Donnell and Mrs. Kellie White
Inner: Mrs. O’Donnell and Mrs. White
 

Unmarried Couple living together:
Outer: Ms. Jane Talbot and Mr. Larry Fitzgerald
Inner: Ms. Talbot and Mr. Fitzgerald
 

Married couple with children under 18 living at home – Formal:
Outer: Mr. and Mrs. Ian Hunt
Inner: Mr. and Mrs. Ian Hunt
Miss Katie Hunt
 

Married couple with children under 18 living at home – Informal:
Outer: John and Sofia Fitzgerald
Inner: John and Sofia
Sara, John and James
 

Married couple – Wife kept her maiden name:
Outer: Mr. John Fitzgerald and Ms. Sofia Millares
Inner: Mr. Fitzgerald and Ms. Millares

Married couple – Both are doctors, different last names:
Outer: Doctor Ian Hunt and Doctor Kate Burger
Or: Doctor Kate Burger and Doctor Ian Hunt
Inner: Dr. Hunt and Dr. Burger


Married Couple – Wife is a Doctor:
Outer: Doctor Kate Burger and Mr. Ian Hunt
Inner: Dr. Burger and Mr. Hunt
 

Married Couple – Husband is a Doctor:
Outer: Doctor and Mrs. Ian Hunt
Inner: Dr. and Mrs. Hunt

Married Couple – Husband holds title:
Outer: The Honorable and Mrs. Ian Hunt
Inner: Judge and Mrs. Hunt

Married Couple – Wife holds title:
Outer: The Honorable Kate Hunt and Mr. Ian Hunt
Or: The Honorable Kate Burger and Mr. Ian Hunt
Inner: Judge Hunt and Mr. Hunt

Single woman – With or without guest:
Outer: Ms. Sofia Millares
Inner: Ms. Sofia Millares
Or: Ms. Millares and Guest
Or: Ms. Millares
Mr. Fitzgerald (second line)

Single man – With or without guest:
Outer: Mr. Ian Hunt
Inner: Mr. Hunt
Or: Mr. Hunt and Guest
Or: Mr. Hunt
Ms. Burger (second line)

*If you are not using inner envelopes, you can include “and Guest” on the outer envelope on the same line as the primary invitee

Divorced woman :
Outer: Mrs./Ms. Anne Law
Inner: Mrs./Ms. Law
Or: Ms. Law and Guest
Or: Ms. Law
Mr. Dealy (second line)

*Always use Ms. if the woman has gone back to her maiden name

Widow
Outer: Mrs. John Fitzgerald
Or: Mrs. Sofia
Inner: Mrs. Fitzgerald