You might find these guidelines useful when filling out the addresses on your wedding invitations, graduation announcements or any other mailing which has an inner and outer envelope. The guidelines listed for the outer envelope should be utilized at all time, even if an inner envelope is not included.
Inner envelope:
- Use only last names of recipients: Mr. and Mrs. Johnson
- First names and/or terms of endearment (such as Auntie Sophie and Uncle Billy) are acceptable on the inner envelope.
- First names of children are written below parents’ names in descending order of age: Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, Kelly, Alex and Jordan
- If a guest is invited: Miss Holt and Guest
Outer envelope:
- Always use full names and formal titles.
- Always spell out the word “and”.
- Always spell out all of the names. Middle names do not have to be used, unless an individual goes by his/her middle name, such as: “Mr. E. Joseph Crothers”.
- Street names that are numbers should be written out: “484 Fifty-Sixth Street”.
- House numbers under twelve and those divisible by ten may be written out: “Eleven Lake Street” or “Sixty Los Robles Drive”.
- Write out the words, “Street”, “Boulevard”, “Avenue”, etc.
- Never abbreviate state names.
