The first time I tried to address a wedding envelope, I froze.
It felt like taking a test I didn’t study for.
Do I write “Mr. and Mrs.” or just their names? What about my friend who just got engaged? Or the couple that’s been together for eight years but not married?
I remember sitting there, pen in hand, thinking, why didn’t anyone warn me this was the hardest part?
Why Addressing Invitations Feels Weirdly High-Pressure
You’ve spent weeks picking fonts, colors, and stamps. The last thing you want is to mess up someone’s title or misspell their partner’s name.
But here’s the thing — most guests don’t care about perfect etiquette. They just want to know you thought of them. The formality is there to make it feel special, not to stress you out.
Still, having a few simple rules helps when you’re staring at 150 envelopes.
The Basics You’ll Actually Use
Married couples:
Mr. and Mrs. Alex Johnson
(Or if you prefer, Alex and Taylor Johnson)
Unmarried couples living together:
Ms. Sarah Lin and Mr. Jamie Ortiz
Engaged couples:
The Future Mr. and Mrs. Parker
(As someone on the receiving side of this, it's really nice to know they took the extra step to change it just for you.)
Families:
The Ramirez Family
(Simple, warm, and kid-friendly.)
Single guests:
Ms. Emily Cho
(Add “and Guest” only if you’re offering a plus-one.)
Doctors, military titles, or clergy:
Use their full professional title first — it shows respect.
TextMyLink collects "Title" as an option if you're doing a more formal wedding.
Real Talk: No One’s Keeping Score
Unless you’re addressing envelopes for Buckingham Palace, no one’s grading your commas.
If you’re mixing modern and traditional styles, that’s fine. Write names in a way that feels like you — respectful but human.
Ours was formal black tie, so we went traditional. There’s something about seeing “Mr. and Mrs.” in fancy script that fits the tuxedos and champagne tower vibe. Still, by the end, we were tempted to just write “You know who you are” and call it a day.
Extra Tips That Actually Make Life Easier
1. Use your guest list as your master reference.
When you collect addresses with TextMyLink, export the list and use it to double-check spellings and titles before printing. It saves hours of “wait, did we invite both of them?” moments.
2. Hand-address or print?
Handwriting feels personal, but printed labels save serious time (and wrist pain). If you print, use a soft script font and high-quality label paper so it still feels intentional.
3. Return addresses go on the back flap.
It looks cleaner and prevents postal ink smudges on the front. Plus, if any invites bounce back, you’ll actually get them.
4. Always order extra envelopes.
You’ll mess up at least a few — everyone does. Order 10–15% more than your guest count just to be safe.
5. Check postage before buying 200 stamps.
Different envelope weights or shapes can change postage costs. Bring one fully assembled invite to the post office and have them weigh it.
6. Do a “test batch.”
Address ten envelopes first, take a photo, and show your fiancé or a friend. It’s amazing how many tiny mistakes you catch before the full run.
7. Keep it organized by last name.
Create a simple A–Z checklist to mark who’s done. It feels like progress and prevents duplicates.
8. Watch your ink.
Metallic pens smear. Gel pens can fade. A fine-tip felt pen or calligraphy marker usually gives the cleanest result.
9. Mail from the counter, not the blue box.
Hand your stack directly to a postal worker. They’ll hand-cancel the stamps and make sure your pretty envelopes don’t get chewed up in sorting machines.
10. Protect them from weather.
If you’re mailing in summer heat or winter rain, consider outer envelopes or clear sleeves — fancy invites and humidity are not friends.
The Takeaway
Addressing envelopes might feel like a formality, but it’s also one of the most personal parts of your wedding planning.
You’re literally writing out the names of everyone who matters to you. That’s kind of cool when you think about it.
So take your time, sip something calming, and remind yourself — this isn’t a test. It’s just a stack of love letters waiting to be sent.
If you’re still collecting those last addresses, check out our how to ask for address and wedding timeline post before you start writing.