Addressing Pocket Wedding Invitations Without the Inner Envelope

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There is something so special about receiving wedding invitations, since its elegant design and details written in script sets it apart from other letters in the mail, which also explains why you don't just tear the edges to see the even more sophisticated invitation inside. And you open it with caution, as if afraid to cause any damage to the embossed or foil-printed invitation. Wedding invitations are treasures especially since so much thought has been put into the color theme, layout, in addressing the inner envelope and the outer envelope.

Why People Tend to Address Wedding Invitations Without Inner Envelope?

These days, couples use the internet and other social media platforms to come up with ways on how to design their wedding invitations. While the traditional formula for wedding invitations often include an inner envelope and an outer envelope, this trend is no longer followed because these days, pocket invitations are in vogue. A clear deviation from the traditional wedding invitation, pocket invitations are not only unique; they are also easy to design and affordable. Since weddings these days cost an arm and a leg, couples try to find that balance between celebrating the highlight of their relationship and keeping things simple to avoid overspending. They ditch the inner envelope and go for pocket invitations. Fret not if this presents a problem for you because we will be giving you a couple of tips in addressing wedding invitation without inner envelopes.

The Inner Envelope and the Outer Envelope Defined

The inner envelope

Everything you need to know about the wedding, from the time and venue to the number of guests, is written in the inner envelope which goes inside the outer envelope. The names of every single recipient of the wedding invitation are written on the inner envelope – a brilliant tool to help the hosts identify the wedding guests. Those whose names are not written in the inner envelope are probably plus ones or kids of the guests who were invited. Kids who are invited but did not receive a separate invitation may have their names written directly below the names of their parents on the inner envelope. For example, addressing the inner envelope for the wedding invitation for Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Ford and their two children, Amanda and Bailey, will look like this:

Mr. and Mrs. Ford

Amanda Ford

Bailey Ford

The outer envelope

The outer envelope is used for mailing purposes. It should bear the guest's title (this may be abbreviated), last name, first name, and middle name (optional). There's also an option to spell out state names or write them as two-letter postal code abbreviations. Unmarried couples who share the same address must have both their names written on the outer envelope connected by “and”. For example:

Mr. Alex Stanford and Ms. Cristina Gomez

Take note, when addressing wedding invitation without inner envelopes to couples who are not yet married, their names should be arranged alphabetically, according to their last name. A line or two may be used, depending on how long their names are.

Without An Inner envelope, What Should We Do?

When addressing wedding invitation without inner envelopes, the format for the outer envelope will be followed with a clear emphasis on who you're giving the wedding invitation to. If you want to encourage your single friends and family members to bring their kids and plus ones, you can mention that in the RSVP card. You can do this by writing “_____ Number Attending” next to the names of the guests or “+guest” on the outer envelope to let them know that you are giving them permission to extend the invitation to one or two persons. Avoid using symbols on the outer envelope and keep from abbreviating names of states. There is also no need to spell out house numbers and zip codes as these can be written in figures.

Some tips and examples on addressing the outer envelope

●Since wedding invitations are formal invitations, abbreviations of names and middle initials are not allowed.

● If a wedding invitation is for the parents and their children, write the name of the parents on the outer envelope. For example:

Mr. and Mrs. Benedict Floyd.

●The names of children who are under the age of 18 are not written on the outer envelope. However, children who are over 18 must receive their own invitation, even if they still live with their parents.

●A judge and his wife's name should be addressed on the outer envelope as:

The Honorable and Mrs. Figg

●A clergy's name should appear on the outer envelope this way:

The Reverend Joseph Mina

●And, if the wedding invitation is for a married couple who are both doctors, they should be addressed as:

Doctors Ivan and Esther Cruz

People from different professions will be part of your guest list, that's why it's very important to know how to address them properly on the outer envelope. It is best to know these things to avoid offending anybody and losing guests at the wedding. 

We hope this article helps you in addressing wedding invitation without inner envelopes.