What is the proper wedding invitation envelope wording for formal invitations?

Short answer

For formal invitations, write the guest's full name and title on the outer envelope, for example Mr and Mrs James Smith. Use the inner envelope for first names or family names, such as James and Sarah, or The Smith Family.

Formal wedding invitation envelopes follow a clear tradition. The outer envelope carries the full formal name and title of each guest. For a married couple, write Mr and Mrs James Smith. For an unmarried couple living together, write Mr James Smith and Miss Sarah Jones on separate lines. For a single guest, write Mr James Smith or Miss Sarah Jones. If you know a guest's professional title, use it, for example Dr or Professor.

Children over 18 get their own invitation or are named on the outer envelope. Children under 18 are usually named on the inner envelope, after their parents' names.

The inner envelope is more informal. It holds the invitation and other inserts. On it, you can write just the first names, such as James and Sarah, or Mr and Mrs Smith. For a family, write The Smith Family or James, Sarah and the children. If you are not using an inner envelope, put the full formal names on the outer envelope only.

For same-sex couples, use the same rules but adapt the titles. For example, Mr James Smith and Mr David Jones, or Dr Sarah Smith and Ms Anna Jones. If you are unsure of a guest's preferred title or name, ask them directly.

If you are not sure about a specific title, such as for a widow or a guest with a double-barrelled surname, check with the guest or use their preferred form. Formal wording can vary, so it is fine to follow your own judgement.