Invitation Etiquette

ksblumb

We are getting ready to address invites and a have a few questions for a couple of families...

At what age do you address Ms. and not Miss? 18?

I have an aunt who was widowed about 10 years ago, but has been in a serious relationship for the past 5 years. Her last name remains that of her deceased husband, and the invite will be made out to her and her SO. Is it still... Mrs. ABC and Mr. XYZ?

We are inviting a few families that have 2-5 small kiddos. In this case, is it better to state "The Smith Family" or "Mr. Smith and Family"  or something else entirely?

My cousin is pregnant with her 4th child - due about 5 weeks before the wedding. I know that they are planning on bringing the whole family (all of the kids). If on the RSVP cards we do something like " ____ seats have been reserved in your honor", We would note 6, correct?

We have a few guests we are inviting who are single, but we would still like to extend the invition for them to bring a guest if they would like. Do we address the invite to "Mr. Smith and Guest", or just "Mr. Smith" and note on the RSVP card that 2 seats have been reserved?

Thanks Ladies!

ksblumb

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_invitation-etiquette-21?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:6fdc7039-1770-4bb2-8c2b-25c6633ca30aPost:208befc1-6dac-49f8-897d-f2dafadb29ef">Re: Invitation Etiquette</a>:
[QUOTE]I have an aunt who was widowed about 10 years ago, but has been in a serious relationship for the past 5 years. Her last name remains that of her deceased husband, and the invite will be made out to her and her SO. Is it still... Mrs. ABC and Mr. XYZ?  Technically, I believe it is Mrs. Aunt Marriedlastname and then Mr. Aunt's Boyfriend on the second line.  You don't put "and" in between them unless they are married, but I don't know how likely your aunt is to care about that.  DH and I didn't before we got married.
Posted by StageManager14[/QUOTE]

I never knew that... thanks! FI and I always get Mr. Him and Ms. Me..... glad I know differently now!

Jen4948

1) I've never heard that there is an age difference for Ms. as opposed to Miss.  As far as I know, Ms. can be used for any woman of any age or marital status, and Miss can be used for any single woman of any age.

2) You can use "and family" to indicate that you are inviting the entire family.  Or, you can list each person in the family you are inviting by their name.

3) I think that if you want to indicate clearly that they are welcome to bring a guest, "Mr. Smith and Guest" spells that out more clearly than just writing a number on a response card (although, of course, you can do both).

SmallenForever

I'm in my 20's and still gets tons of wedding invites (and other mail) to Miss. There is no age limit, although ms. is a much safer choices.

To your aunt, use Ms. for her. Ms. is always okay, even if the woman is married. If there is every a question about what to call a woman, married or not, always default to Ms.

I would never do "Mr. and family," I would either do "Smith and Family," or Mr. and Mrs. Smith and family. I don't like just putting his name on there.

Reserving the six seats is fine.

I'd write guest on the envelope to avoid any confusion.

xxstardust

I'm in my 20s and still ELECT to go by Miss, not Ms. It's what I prefer. No age limit to either, neither is incorrect. If you think she might be touchy about the "miss", go with "ms."

ksblumb

Thanks for all the input ladies!