How do you address save the date envelopes? There are actually a few different ways to do it! In this blog post, I’ll show you exactly how to address save-the-date cards with proper etiquette in every single scenario: for a single guest with a plus one, a married couple, a widow, a family, and more.

But first, let’s talk about a question many couples wonder: how do you address save the date cards with “and guest” for plus ones? Do you include plus ones on the address at all? This question comes in from Julie and she writes,

“Hi Emmaline Bride! I’m working on my save the date cards and wondering how do you address save the dates for single guests? Do you include a plus one on the envelope? Thank you!”

Great question! I’ll outline exactly how to address save the dates in every scenario possible below. I hope it helps!

Do you put “and guest” on save the dates?

As a rule of thumb, you always include “and guest” when addressing save the dates for plus ones for single guests. If your budget allows, it is a good idea to always include a plus-one for a single guest and indicate it on the envelope to make it clear they can bring a date.

Do you have to? Well, technically, no, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do for your wedding. However, it is helpful to do so for these two reasons:

1. You can get a more accurate headcount for the guest list.

If you forget to include those plus ones on your guest list, that number will really add up once the headcount is due right before the wedding. Yikes! But if you include “and guest” when addressing save-the-date cards and invitations, you’re making it clear early on. He or she will be more likely to invite a guest and have fun at the wedding!

2. Your guests have ample time to find a date!

Ha! This is not technically why this is done, but it’s a bonus! ;) It is beneficial, though, to have “and guest” included on the envelope so the individual knows they can bring a guest with them to the wedding (and have ample time to give notice to the person, arrange transportation or travel arrangements, or find a date they wish to bring to the event).

How to address save the dates for plus one?

Here’s exactly how to address save the date cards to include a plus one.

Feel free to use any formality you like below, and remember: save the date cards are less formal than invitations, so it’s perfectly OK to use the more casual addressing here.

NOTE: For non-married couples, you’ll always write the names on the save the date with the person you’re closest to first. For married couples, you typically include the man first OR the person who has a doctorate or military title; for same-sex couples, the order is usually alphabetical or the person whom you are closest to.

Let’s get started!

1. To a Guest with a Plus One

Allison Smith
Ms. Allison Smith
Miss Allison Smith
Dr. Allison Smith

and include “and Guest”

Allison Smith and Guest
Ms. Allison Smith and Guest
Miss Allison Smith and Guest
Dr. Allison Smith and Guest

James Halpert
Mr. James Halpert
Dr. James Halpert

now with guest:

James Halpert and Guest
Mr. James Hapert and Guest
Dr. James Halpert and Guest

2. To a Married Couple

You can choose the formality of how you address save-the-dates for married couples, but typically you’ll include any formal title — such as doctor or military titles — first. For same-sex couples, you can list the names in any order you wish, but typically you put the names in alphabetical order (or list whomever you’re closest to first).

Austin and Taylor Thomas
Mr. and Mrs. Austin Thomas
Mr. Austin Thomas and Mrs. Taylor Thomas
Dr. Austin Thomas and Mrs. Taylor Thomas

If the married couple has different last names, you’ll address it the same way with the proper names. Here’s a visual:

Austin Thomas and Taylor Miller
Mr. Austin Thomas and Mrs. Taylor Miller
Dr. Austin Thomas and Mrs. Taylor Miller

Maybe they’re both doctors!

Dr. Austin Thomas and Dr. Taylor Miller

Or she’s the doctor, in which case, you list her first.

Dr. Taylor Miller and Mr. Austin Thomas

3. To a Family

If you’re inviting the entire family to the wedding, make it clear on your save the date by addressing it in any of the following ways. You can keep it short with just “The Clarks” or “The Clark Family” or make it very clear by indicating each member of the family in attendance.

The Clarks
The Clark Family
Paul, Ingrid, Daisy, Mae, and Matthew Clark
Mr. Paul, Mrs. Ingrid, Daisy, Mae, and Matthew Clark

Typically, you’ll send an invitation to the entire family when the children are young; if guests are 18+, you will send a separate invitation to them and include “and guest”.

4. To a Widow

A widow is addressed as Mrs. Michael Taylor, but you’ll know how she properly likes to be addressed. You can address the save the date as follows:

Betty Taylor
Mrs. Betty Taylor
Mrs. Michael Taylor

5. To Engaged Couple

An engaged couple is written out just as you would for a couple, although you may feel like putting a little extra emphasis into it, e.g. “The Future Lakelands!” But until they are officially married, there is no need to do so; instead, write their names as follows, writing the name of the person you’re closest to first.

Rebecca Childress and Peter Lakeland
Miss Rebecca Childress and Mr. Peter Lakeland
Ms. Jessica Marshall and Mr. Timothy Hearst

6. To a Couple in a Committed Relationship

If the couple is living together / in a serious relationship, you can send one save the date to them addressed as follows, with the person you’re closest to listed first:

Jessica Marshall and Timothy Hearst
Miss Jessica Marshall and Mr. Timothy Hearst
Ms. Jessica Marshall and Mr. Timothy Hearst

It’s impolite to include “Jessica Marshall and Guest” if you know they are in a serious relationship and live together; you should always include their serious partner’s full name.

Now that you know the proper way to address them, let’s discuss another frequently asked question about save the date cards: do you have to hand-address the envelopes?

Do you hand write addresses on save the dates?

Are you still addressing save the dates by hand? Welcome to 2023! There’s a better way! ;) You can order save the date cards addressed for you. Yes, you read that correctly. You’ll still need to do the legwork of inputting the names and addresses — and word them properly, according to the methods above — but you won’t have a hand-cramp from handwriting the addresses.

This is a benefit offered for FREE on your envelopes if you order save the dates at Minted — just like all of the save-the-dates we’re sharing in this blog post. As a bonus, they aren’t just included with your order… they look gorgeous, too! Take a look at some examples below.

Now you can even include a QR code to link to your wedding website on your save-the-date cards. See examples here.

And there you have it: how to address save-the-date cards. If you have more questions, let me know, or leave a comment below!

If you’re ready to get your cards, visit the collection here at Minted to see additional examples. They’re lovely!

Happy Planning!

xo
Emma

This is a sponsored post.