Regarding addressing etiquette criteria, we use Crane's Wedding Blue Book as a general guide, but over time, some rules of etiquette tend to get a bit more relaxed. We are not the etiquette police and however you choose to address your envelopes should be the final word. Your invitations should reflect your own personal style and that of the special event you are planning.

The inner envelope with its invitation is placed in the mailing or "outer" envelope (which has a gummed flap). The outer envelope is normally addressed by hand or by using our unique digital calligraphy service at www.ArtisticAddressing.com . The address is primarily centered neatly with the guest name and address on the front. Your return address would be printed on the flap side at the top in the center. For any of these addresses, never, ever use address labels.

The first line of the address is the title line where the guest name appears. Formal first names should always be used (i.e. Robert as opposed to Bob).

A second title line may be used for another guest name, otherwise it contains the street address or post office box.

The third line contains the City and State. The zip code can be included on this line or centered on a fourth line. The extended 4 digit zip code (i.e. - 14043-0304) should not be used in formal invitation addressing. This format is generally used for business correspondence.

Abbreviations should be avoided. If an apartment or building number cannot fit on the street address line, an additional line can be added between the street address and city/state line for an apartment or building number which should be preceded by the words "Apartment" or "Building". The words Post Office Box, Street, Avenue, Drive, etc. and East, West, Northeast, Southeast, etc. should be spelled out as well as the name of the city and state.

Single digit street numbers should be spelled out (i.e. One, Two, Three... etc.). Street Names that are numbers can be written two ways - 94 East 54th Street or 94 East Fifty-fourth Street (note on double digit street names the first number is capitalized, the second number is not, with a hyphen between them). Triple digit street numbers (i.e. 105th Street) should be left numeric.

Unless your envelopes are unusually large, it is a good idea to not exceed 5 lines in your address as they tend to start looking a bit messy with any additional lines.

Everyone has a title. In the case of such titles as, Mr., Mrs., Ms., and Dr., abbreviations can and should be used. Use Mr., Mrs., Ms. and Miss accordingly. Since there are so many different combinations of titles that could be used, we suggest that you visit our Etiquette page at
http://www.artisticaddressing.com/Etiquette.htm to get a more comprehensive explanation on how to use them and to find out more about:

· Addressing Protocol
· Titles
· Adding Children
· Unmarried Couples Living Together
· Single and Widowed Women
· International Addresses
· Inside Envelopes
· Announcements
· Save-the-Dates
· RSVP's
· Escort & Place Cards
· Thank You Cards
· How to Assemble Invitations
· When to Mail

If you have a question about a particular etiquette situation that does not appear on our site, please feel free to contact us via e-mail with your question and we will be happy to assist you in any way that we can. ArtisticAddressing@gmail.com