There are many etiquette rules when it comes to addressing your wedding invitations and they can be quite overwhelming when you finally sit down to tackle this project. We have summarized some of the the most commonly asked questions regarding addressing that we get and included a couple of resources that can answer the rest of your questions.

Do I need double envelopes for my invitations?

Although still used, they are much less common these days. The Uncommon Bride does not offer double envelopes as an option for our invitations because to us it seems like a waste of paper and we doubt that your guests will mind!

Do I have to address my invitations by hand?

If you or a friend has really nice handwriting then addressing the envelopes by hand looks lovely. However, using your computer and some clear address labels works well too and will likely save you lots of time! You can use a font that coordinates with your invitations – just make sure it is still readable so your invitations will get delivered.

Where can I use abbreviations on my envelopes?

Abbreviations are used for titles, like Mr. or Dr., but otherwise you should write out words like “and”, “Street”, “Avenue” and the province or state.

How do I decide how to write my guests names on the envelopes?

Titles are still traditionally used for invitations. However, for a less formal feel, you may omit these in favour of the guests full names. I personally like skipping the titles because I prefer seeing my own name rather than “Mr. & Mrs. Richard Nott” on the envelope. Rather than go through all the combinations here, I will point you to a few resources that go through the guest combinations in detail!
www.frugalbride.com
www.marthastewartweddings.com

How soon should I send out my invitations?

Traditional etiquette is 6-8 weeks but these days people have very busy schedules so anywhere 2-4 months before the wedding is completely acceptable. Save-the-dates can be sent out between 6 months to a year before the wedding date and, once sent, allow you to send the formal invitation much later.