Need help with envelope etiquette? Not sure how to correctly set up a file for our envelope addressing service? Below are four examples of scenarios that commonly lead to questions. You can always download our spreadsheet here that covers these, plus other examples. 

Married Couple with children (living in an apartment)

 

Things to note:

Outer Envelope:

• Only the husband and wife are listed on the outer envelope (if doing two envelopes).  Children will be listed on inner envelope.
• The apartment goes on a separate line. 
• Spell everything out. It always looks so much better when printed. For example, "Apartment", "Road", "Missouri"...

Inner Envelope

• This inner envelope is an example of informal names. If doing informal names, the wife is listed first on the inner envelope. 
• The inner envelope could also have been "Mr. and Mrs. Rogers" with "Hannah" on the second line if being more formal. 

Like the style of this addressing or the color of the envelope? You can purchase the addressing style here and the envelopes here. 

Couple that lives together, but is not married

Things to note:

Outer Envelope:

• The female is listed first for a couple that lives together, but is not married.
• Names are listed on separate lines.
• "And" is omitted because they are not married.

Inner Envelope:

• The inner envelope would read "Barb and James" if being informal or "Ms. Banks and Mr. Edwards" if being formal.
• Female is listed first. 

Like the style of this addressing or the color of the envelope? You can purchase the addressing style here and the envelopes here. 

Husband is a doctor (with children)

Things to note:

Outer Envelope:

• If the husband is a doctor, "Doctor" is spelled out and he is listed first. If the wife is a doctor she is listed first. For example, "Doctor Anne Louise and Mr. Brandon Whitley Wicks".
• Only the husband and wife are listed on the outer envelope (if doing two envelopes).  Children will be listed on inner envelope.
• Spell out house numbers twenty and under. Do not spell out apartment or unit numbers.

Inner Envelope

• This inner envelope is an example of the traditional format. If being informal it also could have read "Whit and Jenna Wicks" with "and family" on the second line.
• "And family" can be used if you do not want to list out all of the kid's names. It would be appropriate to list out all the names as well. 

Like the style of this addressing or the color of the envelope? You can purchase the addressing style here and the envelopes here. 

What if the husband is in the military?

Things to note:

Outer Envelope:

• Spell out the full title, whether the husband, wife  or both are in the military.
• The same rules would apply for other distinguished titles, like judges, pastors, and reverends.  

Inner Envelope

• If being formal, the inner envelope could read "Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs. Lee".
• If being informal, the inner envelope could read "James and Katie".

Like the style of this addressing or the color of the envelope? You can purchase the addressing style here and the envelopes here. 

Have questions or want us to address envelopes for you? Feel free to contact us anytime or comment below and we will get back with you.