Please use at least 12pt clear font such as "Washington DC" .
NO ABBREVIATIONS (including "&"). DO NOT SUBMIT LIST IN ALL CAPS! Spell out all cities, states, street, roads, avenues, boulevards, lanes, courts... I do not edit for etiquette or accuracy.
Submitted lists should have complete information, including:
Salutations--Mr/Ms/Mrs/Miss/Dr./Rabbi/Reverend (Academic titles such as Professor are not considered appropriate for social gatherings). For Military, Justices/Judges and other titles, refer to an etiquette book such as Crane's Blue Book.
Proper First Names--Abbreviations/nicknames are not considered appropriate for formal affairs
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Doe not Mr. & Mrs. Bob Doe. Street Address
Apartment or Unit Number
City and State (no abbreviations)
Country (if needed)
Postal or Zip code
Lists should be prepared "Flush Left", 2 columns:
Outer Inner
Mr. and Mrs. John Doe Mr. and Mrs. Doe
Fifth Street Northwest John and Jane
Apartment 50 C (names of children)
Washington, District of Columbia
10009
Numerals are usually used for street addresses; numbers 1-20 can be written out. Numbered streets can appear either way. (Crane's Blue Book)
Some street addresses are normally abbreviated such as streets in Washington DC and areas of Florida (Coast Avenue SW; Connecticut Avenue NW)
Married Couples but wife retained her last name use 'and':
Mr. John Wilson and Ms. Susan Black
If unmarried and residing at same address, "and" is not used:
Mr. John Doe
Ms. Jane Smith
The same is true for inner envelopes.
If you are uncertain of format of a foreign address or a zip code, check online resources such as Mapquest, USPS.com or http://www.sover.net/~lpickup/countries.html
For Invitations using outer envelopes only
It is not considered proper to include 'and family' or 'and guest' on the outer envelope but it is often the choice of the event host. Alternatively, a small inner card can be inserted with names of those also invited with "and Children" or "and Guest" to inform them the invitation includes others. Additional charges may apply for extra lines to include several family members.
Still have questions? Ask me. Telephone 202-506-1100 from 5 PM-10PM