Wedding invitation address etiquette isn’t a common topic of conversation for obvious reasons. It’s not often something you think about until you’re faced with a pile of envelopes waiting to be addressed.

Many of the questions that come up may surprise you. We’re focusing on return address etiquette because it’s often overlooked in the hustle of preparing to address your wedding invitations.

Here are the answers to five questions you never thought to ask…until now.

1. What Address is Used as the Return Address on Save The Dates or Wedding Invitations if the Couple Lives Separately?

Choose the address of the person who will take care of any undeliverable mail. Sometimes addresses are written incorrectly and the mail is returned to sender. Whoever (bride or groom) is willing to be responsible for any undeliverable mail should have his/her address on the envelopes. For example:

Mara Wilston
19 Emerson Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55423

2. What is the Return Address Etiquette for Listing Names on Save The Dates or Wedding Invitations if the Couple Lives Together?

You can be casual with SAVE THE DATES and list just your first names above your address, which allows you to avoid listing last names. However, on your WEDDING INVITATIONS, be sure to be more formal. List the bride’s first and last name on line one and the groom’s first and last name on line two. The address will go on lines three thru five. Here are examples of both casual and formal return addresses that include both the bride and groom:

Mara & Henry
19 Emerson Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55423

Mara Wilston
Henry Knauss
19 Emerson Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55423

3. Should the Return Address Go on the Front of the Envelope in the Upper Left Corner or on the Back Flap?

Wedding invitation address etiquette says the back flap is the preferred place for the return address.

4. What Address Should be Listed as the Return Address on the Wedding Invitations and Response Cards?

Choose someone to take care of the response cards and list that person’s address on the invitation envelopes and response card envelopes. That person could be the bride, the groom, the mother of the bride, a sister, etc. (Traditionally, the host of the wedding receives response cards but these days you can choose anyone you like.). Here’s an example of what it would look like if the parents-of-the-bride are hosting and accepting respond cards at their home:

Mr. & Mrs. David Wilston
19 Woodland Avenue
Edina, MN 55342

5. Does the Return Address Have to be Handwritten?

Traditionally, yes. Today, not so much. Many couples are choosing to use return address labels for save the dates and even the wedding invitations. If it works for you, we suggest ordering a PERSONALIZED ADDRESS STAMP. You can order one for the person handling your response cards as a gift or get one for your thank you cards after the wedding. You’ll love using these stamps for years after the wedding too.