Addressing invites without inner envelopes?

marafaye

How should I address my invitations without having an inner envelope to specify "And guest"? Should I just put "and guest" on the outer envelope?Thanks!

TheSaltyPeanut

If I had no idea they were in a committed relationship, I did write "and guest" on the envelope. (Oh the horror!) If you know they are in a relationship, engaged, living with someone, etc., find out their name and write it on the envelope.

tidetravel

No "and guests."  If you don't know who your guest would bring, call them and ask them who they would like to bring.  You could also do the RSVP cards with "X number of seats have been reserved in your honor" and ask them to write in the name of guests attending.

tenofcups4me

We put "and Guest" on the outer for those who weren't in relationships. (If they were in a relationship, we put that person's name of course.) I disagree with the previous poster -- I would not call months in advance to ask someone who they might want to bring as a guest since I know those things can change quickly when someone isn't in a serious relationship.

ggmae

We allowed all single guests to bring a guest. For those in relationships, we addressed the invites to both people. So, if you know that so and so is married to/engaged to/dating a certain person, write both names. For those not in relationships, I wrote "& Guest." Also, when we sent STDs, I wrote personal notes telling singles that they were more than welcome to bring someone to the wedding. Like PP said, some people didn't know who they were bringing until they sent in their RSVPs 3 weeks before the wedding.

tidetravel

I'm assuming that since OP posted this on an etiquette board that she wanted the "etiquette" on the situation.  Fact is that, of course you can put "and guest" on the outer envelope, but according to etiquette, the phrase "and guest" should not appear on the outer envelope of a formal invitation.

marafaye

Thank you all!I did want the etiquette perspective, though I'm glad to hear a few of you put "and guest" on your outer envelope. There are only a few people who would require this, and I doubt they'd be offended. Thanks again!

3plus2=5

I wouldn't put "and guest" on the outer envelope.  I would either call these people or write a short note to include in the invitation letting them know that they are permitted to bring a guest and ask them to name that person on the RSVP.

brookelynpaisley

I didn't put "and guest." on the envelope. I called my few single people and told them they were welcome to bring a guest and to please call and let me know their guest's name when they knew who they were bringing.

tenofcups4me

[quote] I'm assuming that since OP posted this on an etiquette board that she wanted the "etiquette" on the situation. Fact is that, of course you can put "and guest" on the outer envelope, but according to etiquette, the phrase "and guest" should not appear on the outer envelope of a formal invitation. [/quote] Sorry, I just find that kind of funny. Because that same etiquette would also require an inner envelope to begin with. (FWIW, my invitations and wedding were formal and did not have an inner envelope so I've got no objection to that.) So there really is no "proper etiquette" answer to the question if you're going to be that much of a stickler. "And Guest" IS the traditional way to invite someone to bring along any guest of their choosing (hell, even Crane's shows how to do it on the inner envelope). Like everything else, what's considered proper etiquette adapts along with the times.