Addressing a wedding invitation to an unmarried couple can create some concern. Today we have many different situations that may challenge our etiquette rules.
If a couple are living together but not married, should both names go on the invitation. There are several couples who live together but aren't married. How do we address those invitations.
The best way to address a wedding invitation to an unmarried couple is to put both names on the envelope. If one is closer to the family than the other use their name first. That means that if it is an aunt living with a man, her name goes first. You can use Ms or Miss. if you are going formal. The second line will be the name of her live-in. He would be Mr. so and so.
This would mean that the first line is Ms. Tammy Jones. The second line would read his name. When a couple is not married you use the names on two separate lines. There is no "and" at the end of the first line. So both names are on the envelope but since they are not married you don't put the and on.
If a couple living together have children, list the kids names oldest to youngest that you feel comfortable inviting. Although you risk hurt feelings, you may choose not to invite everyone. It is your wedding and only put the names of those you want to attend. You are not obligated to invite small children.
If you are sending to same sex couples who live together you can opt to put the and in if they are married. This can be tricky. But if they are not married by law the rules of an unmarried couple would be best to follow. Some states have made this legal. Use your intuition to determine what you think will work best. The closest family members name would be the first name to use.
If a couple are not living together but are a couple in the families eyes you can use this same rule. If you have 2 envelopes you would use the first one to only address the single member and the inside envelope would have both names. This is just if they don't live together.
There are several situations that you may come across when addressing a wedding invitation. I hope that this will help with some of those questions. You have lots to take care of so relax and follow some of the proper wedding invitation etiquette rules. This will give you a basis to follow and avoid hurt feelings.
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