1. Fold the invitation along the score lines, if needed. If invitation is a flat card, no folding is necessary.
2. Insert invitation into inner, ungummed envelope, if there are no enclosure cards. Pouchette invitations do not require an inner envelope. Follow instructions in “C” for enclosure card stuffing.
3. Enclosure cards should be place in this order 1. reception, 2. respond card & envelope, 3. accommodations, then other cards if necessary. They should face up and are laid over the invitation for a flat non-fold invite and inserted into the inner envelope. Reply cards should lay face up under the flap of the reply envelope – remember to place postage on the reply envelope! If using a pouchette, the order is the same and all should be inserted face up into the pouch.
4. Address ungummed inside envelope with first names only ( this is the only place for less than formal titles such as Aunt Mary or Poppy and Nana) and insert in outer envelope. The name on the inner envelope should face the back of the outer envelope, so that your guest will open the outer envelope and see their names immediately. If using a blank belly band on a pouchette design, use the belly band to write the guests names as indicated.

Nicknames or abbreviations should be avoided when possible except for Mr., Mrs., Dr., Jr., etc. and for military rank. You may use an initial if you do not know the full name or if the person never uses has given name. Cities, states, and numbered streets are written out in full. Remember to include zip codes. The inner envelope always carries the last names only with no address:
       Mr. and Mrs. Doe

The phrase "and family" should be avoided. If you wish to include younger children, they should be mentioned by first name, according to age, on the line following that of their parents:
       Mr. and Mrs. Doe John, Mary, Thomas

These names should appear on the inner envelope only. The outer envelope would be simply addressed to the parents. Never write "No Children" on the invitation or envelope. If you do not want children to attend, the situation should be handled verbally. Formally, dates of single guests should be sent separate invitations. If you do not use an inner envelope, You may wish to enclose a personal note in the invitation of a single guest saying. "Please bring an escort" or "Pease bring Miss Marie Quinn". Two unmarried people who reside at the same address may be sent a single invitation. Their names would appear on separate lines in alphabetic order:
       Miss (Ms.) Jane Smith Mr. Robert Doe

This same format may also be used when inviting a married couple, if the wife has kept her maiden name or uses a professional title. Divorced women are formally addressed by their maiden name plus their married name:
       Mrs. John Doe

However, contemporary etiquette does allow for the use of the woman's first name:
       Mrs. Janet Doe

A widowed woman is always addressed using her husband's first and last names:
       Mrs. Henry Smith

In addressing clergymen, military officers and medical doctors, always use their titles in full:
       The Right Reverend William Breight
       Doctor and Mrs. Samuel Michaels
       Colonel and Mrs. Frank Johann

The return address may be written or imprinted on the flap of the outer envelope. Your return address should be included on the outer envelope so the invitation can be returned to you if the address is incorrect or if the invitation is not deliverable for some reason.

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