Question: What are the inner and outer envelopes for? Do I address both envelopes?
Answer: The majority of Ann’s invitations come with outer envelopes only, but we do offer invitations with inner envelopes as well. The inner envelope is still a common part of today’s wedding invitation ensemble, but has become a more traditional/formal element. Our Wedding Planning Guide article, Helpful tips for assembling/addressing your invitations, has a thorough explanation of the inner and outer envelopes. Check it out!
Question: I like the separate and send wedding invitations, but how do you address them? Is it the same as a regular invitation?
Answer: Yes. Sep and send invitations are addressed the same as traditional invitations. The only difference is that this value set comes with the invitation, reception card and respond card all on one sheet, which you separate before assembling. You still receive an outer envelope and an envelope for the respond card, both of which you’ll need to address.
Question: Are seal and send invitations truly just “seal and send,” or do I address it like any other invitation?
Answer: Seal and send invitations do not come with outer envelopes, but there is a place for you to write the recipient’s address on the front of the folded seal and send. Unlike traditional invitations, the price of a seal and send includes printing your return address on the outside and on the respond card. To learn more about seal and send invitations, read “What’s the deal on Seal and Sends?”.
Question: Do I have to handwrite guests’ addresses on the wedding invitations? Can I use address labels?
Answer: Wedding invitations should be hand addressed, but it is acceptable to have envelopes nicely printed with guests’ addresses. (Consider Ann’s addressing service to save yourself some time and effort.) According to etiquette, address labels are not acceptable for guests’ addresses. However, they are acceptable for the return address on the outer envelopes and the respond card envelopes, especially if they coordinate nicely with the invite’s design (like our Flowers and Flourishes Wedding Invitation and address label).
Before you start addressing, see the “Top 10 Things to Remember When Addressing Your Wedding Invitation Envelopes.”
I have an invitation wording question. Both of my parents are deceased and I am in my 50’s and marrying for the first time. My fiance is much younger than I and his parents are hosting the small, intimate wedding. We are having less than 100 guests between us as I have little family. I’m old fashioned and have always wanted the traditional wording of the invitation that states “Mr. and Mrs. ??? request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter . . . etc.” but don’t know how to include my parents names on the invitation since they are both deceased and the grooms parents are hosting. Is it proper to put the grooms parents names first “Mr. and Mrs. ??? request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their son ??? to Miss ???, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. ???” Please help as I’m in a quandry as to how to handle this. We are planning a December wedding so I do have time to make a decision on wording. Thanks for any advice you can offer as I never see this situation in any of the advice columns on wedding invitation wording.
You can choose anyone to host the wedding. Traditionally, it’s the bride’s parents but others can certainly host. The bride’s name always comes first though. If the groom’s parents are hosting, your invitation wording would go something like this:
Mr. and Mrs. [groom’s father’s first and last name] request the honor of your presence at the marriage of
[your first, middle and last names]
to their son
[his first and middle names]
on [continue with details]
According to etiquette, deceased parents are not listed on the invitation, but are often remembered in other meaningful ways during the wedding. Many couples will read a special poem during the ceremony, or print a special poem or excerpt on the wedding program in memory of. We have more lovely memorial ideas coming to the blog on Monday, May 28. We’re certain you’ll think of something special that’s personal and heartwarming. We wish you the best on your wedding day!