The Stationer's Complete Guide to Addressing Your Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations are an important aspect of the wedding planning process. They set the tone for the event and provide important information for guests, such as the date, time, and location of the wedding. We find that the most time consuming part of wedding stationery planning is gathering and organizing your guest addresses. At Paper Daisies Stationery, one of the main questions we are asked is how to address your invitations?

When it comes to gathering your guest list, there are a few different scenarios that can arise – here’s our how to guide to addressing wedding invitations!

Inner & outer envelopes

Traditionally, wedding invitations came with both an inner and outer envelope. The outer envelope was addressed to the household, while the inner envelope listed the names of the individuals who were invited.

The purpose of the inner envelope is to provide an extra layer of protection for the invitation and to ensure that each individual knows they are personally invited to the wedding.

Here are the most common instances we see -

Outer envelope | Married couple

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

Inner envelope | Married couple

Mr. and Mrs. Smith

or

John and Jane

(note: first names only can be seen as more casual)

----

Outer envelope | Married couple when woman kept her maiden name

Mrs. Jane Doe and Mr. John Smith

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

Inner envelope | Married couple when woman kept her maiden name

Mrs. Doe and Mr. Smith

----

Outer envelope | Juniors

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, junior

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

Inner envelope | Juniors

Mr. and Mrs. Smith, junior

----

Outer envelope | Married couple who are both doctors

The Drs. Smith

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

or

The Drs. John and Jane Smith

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

Inner envelope | Married couple who are both doctors

The Doctors Smith

----

Outer envelope | A couple where one is a doctor

(the doctor will go first, no matter the gender)

Dr. Jane and Mr. John Smith

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

or

Dr. John and Mrs. John Smith

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

Inner envelope | A couple where one is a doctor

Dr. Jane and Mr. John Smith

----

Outer envelope | Family with children

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

Inner envelope | Family with children

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

Jane, Samantha and Jack

(children will only go on the inner envelope and children over the age of 18 should receive their own invitation)

----

Outer envelope | Couple who lives together but are not married

Mr. John Smith and Ms. Jane Doe

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

or

Mr. John Smith

Ms. Jane Doe

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

Inner envelope | Couple who lives together but are not married

Mr. John Smith and Ms. Jane Doe

or

John and Jane

----

Outer envelope | Single man or woman

Mr. John Smith

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

or

Ms. Jane Doe

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

Inner envelope | Single man or woman

Mr. Smith

or

Ms. Doe

John

or

Jane

----

Outer envelope | Single man or woman with a plus-one

Mr. John Smith

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

or

Ms. Jane Doe

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

Inner envelope | Single man or woman with a plus-one

Mr. Smith and guest

or

Ms. Doe and guest

(guests will only go on the inner envelope)

----

Outer envelope | Single man or woman with a known guest

Mr. John Smith

Ms. Jane Doe

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

Inner envelope | Single man or woman with a known guest

Mr. Smith

Ms. Doe

(list your friend first, regardless of gender, and their guest on the line below)

----

Outer envelope | Same gender couple

Mr. John & Jacob Smith

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

(if they share the same last name)

or

Mr John Smith & Mr. Jacob Williams

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

(if they share they have different last names)

Inner envelope | Same gender couple

Mr. and Mr. Smith

or

Mr. Smith and Mr. Williams

----

Outer envelope | Non-binary guests

Mx. John Smith

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

Inner envelope | Non-binary guests

Mx. Smith

or

John

----

Outer envelope | Couple where one guest is a judge or governor

The Honorable and Mrs. John Smith

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

Inner envelope | Couple where one guest is a judge

Judge and Mrs. Smith

----

Outer envelope | Couple where a guest is a member of the clergy

The Reverend and Mrs. John Smith

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

Father Simon Peter

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

Rabbi and Mrs. John Smith

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

Inner envelope | Couple where a guest is a member of the clergy

The Reverend and Mrs. Smith

Father Peter

Rabbi and Mrs. Smith

----

Outer envelope | Couple where the male is a military officer

Colonel and Mrs. John Smith

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

Inner envelope | Couple where the male is a military officer

Colonel and Mrs. Smith

----

Outer envelope | Couple where the female is a military officer

General Kimberly Stone, U.S. Army and Mr. Jason Dean

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

Inner envelope | Couple where the female is a military officer

General Stone and Mr. Jason Dean

Outer envelopes

While inner and outer envelopes were traditionally used for wedding invitations, many couples opt to skip the inner envelope for cost.

If you are only using an outer envelope, in some circumstances you will need to address it a bit differently than if you were using both envelopes. Here are those special cases!

Family with children

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

Jane, Samantha and Jack

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

----

Outer envelope | Single man or woman with a plus-one

Mr. John Smith and guest

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

or

Ms. Jane Doe and guest

1234 Paper Daisies Lane

Atlanta, Georgia 12345

At Paper Daisies, we offer computer calligraphy services to print on your envelopes for you! If you select computer calligraphy when building your cart and placing your order, we will send over our guest list templates for you to use to help guide you. When we receive your completed guest list, we will send you a proof of each address so you can check for accuracy and make sure your envelopes are perfect before we send to print!

In the event you have any questions not covered in this blog, reach out to your dedicated designer and we can help!

Happy addressing!

Love,

The Paper Daisies team

5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Planning Your Wedding

With restrictions on large gatherings loosening up, the vaccination-era wedding boom has begun. Venues and vendors all over the US are accommodating bookings as far as late 2022 and early 2023, as couples who have had to put off a big wedding during the pandemic and those who had always intended to marry this year drive up demand. With that in mind, planning your nuptials can feel like a lot of pressure. Here are five questions couples should ask for smooth wedding planning: 1. How many guests should you invite? As soon as you get engaged, couples should start thinking about the guest list. Keep in mind that the wedding venue will often dictate the size of the wedding. To estimate the number of guests you’re going for, start building a list based on the people you can’t imagine not being there for your big day. This helps spell out the difference between people who will DEFINITELY be invited, people who you'd LIKE to invite, and people you'll consider if there's room in the budget/venue. Afterwards, you’ll need to prepare the wedding invitations. A wedding invite is a peek into the celebration that lies ahead, so it should convey the tone and style your guests should expect for your big day. Naturally, an invite should also include the most important details, like the couples’ names, the venue, and the date and time of the event.

2. How much money are you ready to spend? Many couples dream about having a big wedding with all the bells and whistles, but are concerned about the money they’d need to spend. Aside from wedding costs rising every year, couples have other expenses to consider — like buying a home. If you are planning for the long-term, say three years, you still have time to save up. Certified financial planner Michelle Brownstein recommends setting up an investment fund, so you can generate income. Another option is to keep your money in a high-yield savings account. High-yield accounts compound interest rates on your balance, so you can gain additional interest every day. Of course, you can still have a stunning wedding on a tighter budget, but it may require some DIY projects and creativity on your part. If it's in the budget, we highly recommend hiring a wedding planner. They have experience in stretching budgets and prioritizing your "must haves." They can negotiate deals with vendors they’ve worked with before, and guide you through ideas you may not have considered. Even seemingly small details — like hiring a band versus hiring a DJ — can provide more cost-savings than the other, and no one knows better than a wedding planner. 3. Who should be in your wedding party? Both people getting married would need to choose their wedding party well ahead of the big day. Typically, couples choose from their siblings, best friends, and closest family members. You also have to ask a number of questions: How many people do you want in your wedding party? Does the number of people need to match on both sides of the aisle? Do you want them to stand up with you the whole time or sit down to keep the focus on you? How many people can fit in the space around you while you’re saying “I do?”

You can also include some members of the wedding party by asking them to serve in active roles as ushers or readers. Finally, wedding party costs can add up, so they should be handled with sensitivity and transparency. Be mindful of everyone’s budget, and try to stay upfront about any time-related commitments. You should give your loved ones the option to refuse if they wish. 4. Where should you host the ceremony and reception?

Given the pandemic restrictions, many people are itching to travel — which is why wedding venue trends are headed towards the beach or other exotic destinations. A destination wedding is any celebration that requires a majority of guests to travel and is planned remotely from another city. Destination weddings are fantastic experiences, but they often come with logistical challenges. Why not plan a local wedding using a travel-inspired theme instead? Another consideration is choosing between indoor and outdoor venues. Outdoor weddings are beautiful, but they’re not always ideal for every season — if you're asking your guests to attend an outdoor fall or winter wedding, consider adding outdoor heaters and blankets to your “must have” list. A backup plan for inclement weather is also something to consider for outdoor weddings; this is why some people choose covered areas like barns and pavilions, or indoor venues like museums and hotels. If you can’t decide, then a fully-equipped wedding tent could be a great backup option too. 5. What do we want the wedding day to feel like? We encourage couples to focus not only on the look but also the feel of their wedding. The ‘feel’ of the wedding may sound unfamiliar, but it’s a great way to narrow down your choices. You will likely start building your mood board with florals and color palettes to match the season or venue, but also consider building on words like ‘cozy’, ‘elegant’, ‘timeless’, ‘adventurous’, ‘romantic’, and so on. Think about details that can describe you as individuals and as a couple, then focus on how to tell your love story through the little things. Once you’ve figured out what really matters to both of you, it'll be easier to narrow down your options to create your wedding vision. It’s important to bring in vendors and suppliers who can really carry the theme you’ve set.

Paper Daisies is a design studio that specializes in stationery for big celebrations. We’re committed to serve our clients as a one-stop shop for personalized invitations, napkins, and signage. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.

Written exclusively for Blog.paper-daisies.com

by Amy Calmers

2021 Weddings Trends

As we look back on 2020, it has been a year full of reflection. And with that comes a new level self-awareness, defining what’s most important. To that end, we’ll see in the upcoming year weddings that are rich with personal style and incredible attention to detail. While we all continue to adjust in this pandemic, the wedding industry continues to evolve with welcome creativity.

Intentionality

If this past year has taught us one thing, it’s to forge ahead the best way you know how. In 2021 we’ll see couples forego traditions, making their own rules for their day.

With wedding stationery we’ll see old conventions broken, such as the continued reduction in the use of inner envelopes. Though this tradition once served a purpose, we will see many couples spend those dollars on their invitation suite in more meaningful ways. One might forego the inner envelope and replace that with a wax seal and an envelope liner or high end press techniques.

Modern wedding invitation suite with wax seal, vellum and leather cord

Statement Motif

Save the Dates and wedding invitations will continue to remain a priority when it comes to setting the event tone. We’ll see the aforementioned intentionality dictate a very custom design motif – one that is personalized specifically for the couple. Custom designed motifs, also referred to as wedding logos, can be as simple and stunning as a beautiful 2-letter interlocking monogram used throughout the suite. Or it could be a more elaborate watercolor crest design coupled with soft, romantic, or rich florals and a custom script monogram. Motifs that are inspired by location can also provide great design direction for the rest of the suite.

2-letter interlocking monogram

Custom floral crest with script monogram

Wedding motif inspired by location

For many, commissioning a boutique stationer may be the best first step. If budget allows, a stationer can start from scratch with a custom, one-of-a-kind invitation suite tailored to the couple’s style and event tone. And with so many tools to personalize pre-designed invitations these days, making this happen on a budget is easier than ever.

Personalized Touch

In 2021, we’ll see a lot of fun and excitement generated around personalizing the many details of the wedding. Welcome boxes will be filled not only with the necessities of sanitizers and customized masks, but also a carefully curated set of goods that tells a couple’s story. We’ll see more and more personalized items with tags and stickers as well as items that are fully customized to further enhance the design motif, or wedding brand.

Well-curated wedding welcome bag

Custom welcome bag with wedding motif

Personalized welcome bag for wedding guests

We’ll also see a lot of couples gifting their guests. These tokens may vary in size and cost due to the number of wedding invitees. For ideas on what to give, couples can lean on their shared passions and hobbies. For example, a pair who might have a shared passion for wine could consider giving a bottle of their favorite bubbly to each guest tagged with a special thanks.

Custom monogramed wedding champagne favor

Custom matchbox and cigar wedding give-away

Custom cocktails will also be a great way to personalize at the reception. Each cocktail is an opportunity to tell a little story about the couple with unique names and artwork along with the name they choose and the signage that adorns. In 2020 we saw a definite rise in custom watercolors of pets that were added to bar signs. We see no stopping this trend anytime soon.

Custom cocktail wedding signage with pups

Custom designed wedding cocktails signage

Intimate Seating

In the coming year we’ll see a more intimate ceremony and reception setting born out of safety measures. This may include smaller indoor ceremonies with larger outdoor receptions. We’ll see fewer crowds at food stations and more seated dinners. We saw the rise of seated zones and bistro tables in 2020, especially for more intimate celebrations, allowing families to sit together within their own bubble. One exciting addition has been the introduction of individualized charcuterie boards. We hope will stick around for years to come!

Seating charts and escort cards will also remain a priority as guests are seated with safety in mind. While serving as a useful tool, seating charts and escort cards can also provide added beauty, fun, and interest at the reception.

Seating chart wall with live floral monogram

Custom escort cards on floral background

Custom escort cards with blue tassels

Escort cards pinned to boxwood backdrop

Custom escort card wall with leaf ornaments

Surprising textures

Unique texture will take center stage in 2021. From velvet gowns to luxurious linens we’ll not only see a layering of texture but use in surprising ways.

No longer just for bridesmaid’s dresses, velvet is now making its way onto the wedding invitation itself. Ribbons will continue to grace the suite from classic satin to delicate hand-dyed silk. Handmade liners with its varied textures and colors will provide balance for a couple who might seek out a bold touch to a classic invitation suite. We’ll also see natural textures, like sisal grass or leather with its variations in color and texture make its way into the suite.

Custom velvet-backed debossed invitations

Custom sawgrass wedding envelope liner

Bold Accents

Be it suits or stationery, bold colors is a trend that is holding its own. While gray carries on as a reliable accent, we’re seeing bold colors make their way into wedding design.

Soft colors haven’t gone away; however, bolder colors like emerald and plum are popping up in stationery suites in motifs, or the RSVP envelope. It helps to add flare and define mood ever so equally.

Moody green accent colors and RSVP envelope

Deep plum RSVP envelope

At Paper Daisies, a design studio specializing in stationery for big celebrations, we help engaged couples, event planners and celebration hosts bring their unique vision/brand to life. As a small company made up of genuine people pleasers, our designers walk our clients through the process from beginning to end.

We are a Pinterest page come to life, offering a one-stop shop that provides everything from save the dates and invitations to napkins and signage. For clients choosing from our Online Collection, paper-daisies.com offers an easy way to personalize and place their order with a designer who is ready and excited to get started.