Is it rude to put registry information on a wedding invitation?

Yes, by tradition you never print registry or gift information on the invitation itself. Share it by word of mouth, on your wedding website, or on a separate insert. The invitation is about inviting people, not about gifts.

Wedding Invitation Etiquette

Q: How do you indicate a plus-one on a wedding invitation?

Show a plus-one on the envelope, not the invitation itself. Address it to the guest 'and Guest', or better, include the partner's actual name if you know it. If a name does not appear on the envelope or inner envelope, that guest is not invited to bring anyone.

Q: How do you politely say no kids at a wedding?

The most correct way is to address the envelope only to the adults invited, since an invitation is extended to exactly the people named on it. You can reinforce it on your wedding website or with a discreet line such as 'We respectfully request an adults-only celebration,' but you should not phrase it harshly on the invitation face.

Q: Should the dress code go on the wedding invitation?

You can put a short dress code in the lower corner of the invitation or on a details card, for example 'Black tie' or 'Cocktail attire.' The formality of the invitation itself also signals the dress code, but stating it plainly spares guests from guessing.

Q: Whose name goes first when addressing a couple?

Traditionally the name with a professional title (for example, Dr.) or, by older custom, the husband's name leads, but the modern, equal approach simply lists both partners' full names. Choose one style and apply it consistently across every envelope.

The rules of wedding invitations exist to do one thing: make every guest feel clearly and warmly invited. Here is the modern, practical version — how to address envelopes, handle plus-ones and kids, signal dress code, and skip the mistakes that cause confusion.

The golden rule: An invitation is extended to exactly the people named on the envelope — no more, no fewer. Almost every etiquette question (plus-ones, children, "can I bring a friend?") is answered simply by who you do, and do not, write on the envelope.

How to address wedding invitation envelopes

The envelope is where etiquette lives. The names on it define precisely who is invited. A few standard formats:

Married couple: "Mr. and Mrs. David Bennett," or the modern, equal "Mr. David Bennett and Mrs. Sarah Bennett" on one or two lines.
Unmarried couple living together: both full names, on one line or two: "Mr. James Carter and Ms. Olivia Reed."
A family with children: parents on the first line; children's first names on the second ("Liam, Ava and Noah") tells you the kids are invited.
A single guest with a plus-one: "Ms. Olivia Reed and Guest" — or, more graciously, the partner's real name if you know it.
Use titles consistently: Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr. Whatever you choose, apply it the same way across your whole guest list.

Plus-ones: who gets one, and how to show it

Whether someone receives a plus-one is your decision, but the convention is clear: married, engaged, and cohabiting partners are always invited together, and it is kind to extend a plus-one to anyone in a serious relationship. After that, plus-ones are a matter of budget and space.

However you decide, communicate it through the envelope. If a guest's envelope says only their name, they know they are coming solo; if it includes "and Guest" or a partner's name, they know they may bring someone. Never write "plus one" on the invitation face — it belongs on the envelope.

Children & adults-only weddings

If you are having an adults-only celebration, the correct and gracious way to say so is by addressing each envelope to the adults only. Because the invitation goes to exactly the people named, leaving the children's names off communicates the message without a blunt notice on the card.

To avoid any doubt, reinforce it gently elsewhere — a line on your wedding website, or a soft note on a details card such as "We respectfully request an adults-only celebration so everyone can relax and enjoy the evening." Expect a few questions, answer them warmly and consistently, and do not make exceptions you will have to justify to other parents.

Dress code: how and where to say it

Guests genuinely appreciate being told what to wear. You can state it discreetly in the lower right corner of the invitation, or on an enclosure/details card:

Black tie — tuxedos and floor-length or formal evening wear.
Formal / black-tie optional — a dark suit or a cocktail dress is welcome.
Cocktail attire — a suit, or a knee-length dress.
Semi-formal / "dressy casual" — smart but relaxed.
Garden / outdoor — add a practical hint, like "the ceremony is on grass."

The formality of the invitation itself is also a signal: an engraved, fully-spelled-out invitation implies a dressy event, while a relaxed, conversational one implies you can come as you comfortably are.

Registry & gifts — keep them off the invitation

One rule has not budged: never print registry or gift information on the invitation itself. It reads as asking for presents. Share registry details by word of mouth, on your wedding website, or on a separate insert card. The invitation's job is to invite — nothing else.

RSVP etiquette

Always give guests a clear way to reply and a deadline — a reply card with a stamped, addressed envelope, or a link to RSVP online.
Add a line for meal choice only if you are offering one, and a discreet way to flag dietary needs.
Filling in a small "M_____" line on a reply card invites guests to write their title and name; it is a nice traditional touch but entirely optional.

5 mistakes to avoid

Printing registry or gift info on the invitation.
Writing "no kids" or "plus one" on the invitation face instead of handling it via the envelope.
Forgetting the RSVP date — or setting it too late to brief your caterer.
Mismatched formality: black-tie reception, but a casual invitation (or vice versa).
Inviting more people than your venue holds because you assumed a low reply rate — invite to your real capacity.

Put good etiquette into a beautiful design

Our free editor keeps the invitation itself clean and correct — names, date, venue, RSVP — and leaves the logistics to your details card. Design and download yours in minutes.

Open the free editor →

Frequently asked questions

How do you indicate a plus-one on a wedding invitation?

On the envelope, not the invitation. Address it to the guest "and Guest," or include the partner's real name if you know it. No name on the envelope means no plus-one.

How do you politely say no kids at a wedding?

Address each envelope only to the adults invited. Reinforce it on your website or with a soft line on a details card. Avoid a harsh notice on the invitation face.

Should the dress code go on the wedding invitation?

You can put a short dress code in the lower corner or on a details card ("Black tie," "Cocktail attire"). The invitation's formality also hints at it, but stating it spares guests from guessing.

Is it rude to put registry info on a wedding invitation?

Yes. Never print registry or gift details on the invitation. Share them by word of mouth, on your wedding website, or on a separate insert.

Whose name goes first when addressing a couple?

Traditionally the name with a professional title (e.g. "Dr.") or, by older custom, the husband's name leads — but the modern, equal approach simply lists both partners' full names. Choose one style and apply it consistently.