invitation addressing help please?!

teamL09

Hi! 2 scenarios please:

1)  Does anyone know the proper way to address an invite for a married couple if the lady (ie. Susie below) is the main person invited/my friend?
ie. Just Mr. and Mrs. Bob Smith, or Mr. and Mrs. Bob and Susie Smith?

2) Does anyone know the proper way to address an invite for an unmarried couple if the lady (ie. Mary below) is the main person invited/my friend?
ie. Ms. Mary Miller and Mr. John Jones, or Mr. John Jones and Ms. Mary Miller?
Is the boy always first no matter the circumstance?

Thanks!

sgylling

For married couples it doesn't matter which is your friend, so if it is Susie Smith. It would be:

Mr and Mrs Bob Smith (you could also write Mr and Mrs Bob and Susie Smith, but I don't think you need to, the first way is more formal)

If Mary Miller is your friend and she isn't married to John Jones. It goes

Ms. Mary Miller
Mr. John Jones

On 2 separate lines, I believe.

Love is Bald

I agree with PP.  My wedding tips and advice book lists the following:

Married Couple: 
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Smith

Unmarried Couple Living Together: 
Mr. Bob Smith
Ms. Jane Doe

Single Woman & Guest:
Outer Envelope: Ms. Jane Smith
Inner Envelope (if applicable): Ms. Jane Smith and Guest

MsBunny312

I personally hate the idea of getting mail that says Mr. and Mrs. Hisname Ourlastname. I have a first name! I am not defined by my partner. If you are going to go a the more formal route: I'd go with Mr. and Mrs. Bob and Sue Smith.

But I don't think invites have to be strickly formal anymore. If you feel more comfortable writing your female friend's name first, then do it. Etiquette dictates that you make you guest feel comfortble, not that you follow formality rules. So if your friend is comfortable with a less formal tone, then address the envelope the way that feels "right."