How To: Correctly Address Wedding Invitations

Hamish Shephard
Last updated: 1st Nov 2023
Bridebook.co.uk- laser cut wedding invitation tied with purple ribbon
By Chris Giles Photography

Hurray, you’ve reached the point of wedding invitations. Once you send these out, the excitement will really start to build – they make it more real! But before you dunk your pen in the inkpot, take a second, because once you start addressing your invitations, you may find that there are quite a few unclear areas. Who should the invitations be coming from? What is the correct way to address them? Here are some templates to help you along the way – happy inviting!

Bridebook.co.uk- gorilla sketch table place card
By Pippa Mackenzie

Correctly addressing guests if they are married:

Mr and Mrs Adam Shaw

If the married couple have kids who are invited:

Mr and Mrs Adam Shaw, Lucy and James

If the couple are married but use different names:

Mr Lawrence Hill and Mrs Emma Park

If the wife is a doctor:

Dr Lauren Shaw and Mr Adam Shaw

If both are doctors:

Doctors Shaw

An unmarried couple in an established relationship:

Miss Megan Creed and Mr Marc Jefferson

A same-sex couple:

Mr Terry Jones and Mr Matt Page

Single woman and guest:

Miss Megan Creed and guest

Distinguished titles:

Honourable Judge Ann Richardson and Captain Frank Richardson, Royal Marines.

*If guests live at different addresses, send two invitations.

Bridebook.co.uk- rustic wedding invitations tied together with twine
By Chris Giles Photography

The Hosts:

If the parents are hosting the wedding and they are married then:

Mr and Mrs John Smith

request the pleasure of

your company at the marriage

of their daughter

Katie

to Mr James John Knight

 

If the parents are co-hosting but they are divorced:

Mr John Smith and Mrs Alice Jones

request the pleasure of

your company at the marriage

of their daughter

Katie

to Mr James John Knight

Bridebook.co.uk- minister holding traditional order of service
By Chris Giles Photography

If your mother and stepfather are hosting:

Mr and Mrs Stephen Jones

 request the pleasure of

your company at the marriage

of her daughter

Katie

to Mr James John Knight*

*at the marriage of his daughter if the hosts are Father and stepmother

Bridebook.co.uk- table setting and name with flowers
By Anna Clarke Photography

Where a stepfather is the host:

Mr Stephen Jones

 requests the pleasure of

your company at the marriage

of his stepdaughter

Katie Smith

to Mr James John Knight*

If the bride and groom are hosting:

Mr James Knight and Miss Katie Smith

request the pleasure of

your company at their marriage

Bridebook.co.uk- bride groom and wedding party standing up at the top table
By Especially Amy

If the father or mother of the bride is hosting:

Mrs John Smith

requests the pleasure of

your company at the marriage

of her daughter

Katie Smith

to Mr James John Knight

The ceremony venue, the date, the time and the reception venue should follow these. If the ceremony and reception are held at the same place, just omit the reception venue at the end.

Happy planning!

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Hamish Shephard
Hamish Shephard is the founder and CEO of Bridebook, the UK’s leading wedding planning app. He is now considered an expert in the wedding industry, having appeared on BBC news multiple times to provide his expertise and having his own Evening Standard column, Groom With a View, where he shares his insights as one of the UK’s most prominent wedding experts.
Last updated: 1st Nov 2023