addressing etiquette w/o inner envelopes

gigrapp22

The online company (minted.com) that we purchased our invites from do not include inner envelopes. My mom and I have been debating the best way to address the invites. What would you suggest for a family since we can't write out everyone's name due to the lack of an inner envelope? Also, what if we are inviting a friend and allowing them to bring a guest? Any input would greatly help! 

danieliza1127

You can write all of the names on the outer envelope.

If they have kids:

Mr. and Mrs. John Doe
Jane, Thomas, Michael
Address

just list the kids oldest to  youngest.

If you're inviting someone with a guest, put the guest's name under their name.  Do your best to get an actual name and avoid using "and Guest".

Ms. Jane Smith
Mr. Michael Jones
Jane's address

kmjarvey

Ours were the same way. If we were invite a family, we just Mr. and Mrs. John Smith and family (or the kid's name if there was only one)

For the friends with guest, just address it to their name and guest on the outer envelope.

L-Bride

I don't have inner envelopes either. I'm writing on the outer envelope something along the lines of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Family" for a family. If you know the name of the person your guest is bringing write "Mr. Smith and "Ms. Blank". For the people I don't know the names of the guest I'm writing "Mr. Smith and Guest". They can give you the name of their guest on the return card. HTH.

danieliza1127

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_addressing-etiquette-wo-inner-envelopes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:a79a9f95-ae90-4d52-b499-1e18ce67b6ebPost:32c417da-dde8-457b-98f2-24e05a2446be">Re: addressing etiquette w/o inner envelopes</a>:
[QUOTE]Ours were the same way. If we were invite a family, we just Mr. and Mrs. John Smith and family (or the kid's name if there was only one) For the friends with guest, just address it to their name and guest on the outer envelope.
Posted by kmjarvey[/QUOTE]

A potential problem with using "and Family" is what if you only intend their kids but they think this means extended family of their own that might be staying with them, or that maybe you know but aren't actually intending to invite?  I just think it's more clear to actually list out the names.

pooh8402

mine were just like Dani said. list out the names, put the address underneath. easy peasy.

mnp555

I only had one envelope, but thought it was a little awkward to put "& Guest" on the outside of a mailing envelope (even though it is technically ok), so I included a note with the invitations for the few invitees we had who may have a guest I didn't know the name of, saying that they were welcome to bring a guest and just to let me know the guest's name.  It was an effective solution for me, but if you have 100 people you're inviting & guest, it would be way too much work.  Just another thought!

lisalou402

I have done calligraphy for about 30 weddings.  If there is no inner envelope, as PP's wrote, you can write & Guest on front.  For families, you should list all the names.  THe other way to fix that is to send a second invite to the children if they are over 13 or so...plus, they would get a kick out of it!  If they are younger, then yeah, put them on the envelope.