Etiquette re names on invitations?

Not sure if it's still done where you get 2 envelopes but if it is: the outer envelope is addressed to Mr and Mrs Daniel Jones. The inner envelope is addressed to Daniel and Rose Jones, separate line for kids. With just one envelope, address it like you would on the inner.


If you are inviting the whole family, you can write Mr Daniel Jones and Family.

We did this:


Mr. and Mrs. John Smithand Suzie123 Main StreetAnywhere, USA 12345

That seemed to be the most common answer I found.

Ugh, that didn't format correctly on mobile!


Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
and Suzie
123 Main Street
Anywhere, USA 12345

1st line: Mr. and Mrs. Lana and Eugene K
2nd line: Miss Jasmine K (or Ms. Jasmine K if she's over 16)

If you're inviting an entire family/household, "The K Family," "Mr. and Mrs. K and Family," and, "Mr. and Mrs. Eugene and Lana K and Family," are each acceptable.

With putting “family” on it you have to be careful how they could interpret it. If you aren’t inviting their entire family I wouldn’t do that. We only put “the X family” for people who were like, aunts/uncles/cousins and obviously they were ALL invited. Otherwise I find it best to not leave it up to interpretation lol.



We mostly did it like, “Mr John and Mrs Jane Smith.” However if the couple is not married “Mr John Smith and Ms Jane Doe.” If they’re people with the same last name but are not married (like a father and son, for example) you’d do “Mr John Smith and Mr Jack Smith.” Or a husband, wife, and son, would be “Mr John and Mrs Jane Smith & Mr Jack Smith.” You generally repeat the last name after each first name, unless they’re a married couple (if that makes sense).

HOWEVER honestly don’t stress too much. People will look at the envelopes for all of 5 seconds before throwing it out. The only thing that I absolutely can’t stand is it being addressed “Mr and Mrs John Doe.” I have had way too many things addressed to me as “Mrs (husbands first and last name)” and it really grinds my gears! I changed my last name and I’m happy to be called “Mrs (last name)” but I still am my own person and I didn’t take my husband’s FIRST name too 🙄

All the suggestions here are great! They would all translate closest to you (C) option. I agree with not putting "family" unless you really mean the WHOLE family. This isn't something you want people left to interpret on their own. If you're worried, you can also add a line to your reply cards saying "we've reserved ___ seats in your honor" to very clearly show how many people are invited.

Saying "& family" is fine, as far as etiquette is concerned. But can be dangerous if you have the kind of people who think nothing of inviting extra people. If a MIL or grandmother and grandfather live with Jake, Chris, and their daughter Susie, will you be okay if they ask for seats and meals for 5? If Chris wants her sister or aunt or mom who does not live with them but is good company to come, family, instead of hubby, or I stead of daughter, or as a 4th person, part of the "family", is that okay? If yes, and family is fine. But if you want only specific people, name every person invited.

View Quoted Comment It’s more so for the people who have kids who they think would be invited when we aren’t having kids at the wedding (so some extended relatives don’t think they’re exempt just because they’re family).


It’s somewhat the same as plus ones in that we are only giving plus ones to those in serious relationships and otherwise listing their names !

Just tel the people with kids this is a kids free event. I am allowing children but only nieces and nephews. We have 3 kids so we want their cousins there. I have 2 from x and me and my FH have a little girl. I’m not allowing everyone to being their kids only close friends whom are traveling for the wedding. Anyone that lives here kids are not coming. I flat out told everyone if they have issues SORRY kids make the wedding even more expensive I already have 6 nieces, and 3 nephews plus our 3 kids lol.