We only used middle names with people whom we know use their middle names regularly and sometimes to avoid confusion. For example, my brother is Calvin and so is my dad, but my brother is not a JR. So we used my brothers middle name on his invite. My grandma always uses her middle name when she signs things or sends emails (yes my 85 yr old grandma loves her computer), so we used her middle name as well.
I don't know the ettiquitte behind it, but that's how/why we did it.
I would address the invitations with the full versions of the person's usual name-- "Catherine" instead of "Cathy," etc.-- but would not add middle names unless the person normally used his/her middle name in correspondence, etc. Then again, if your wedding is less formal, you could just write "Cathy Smith" instead of Catherine.
It's up to you, but imagine trying to track down everyone's middle name!
Though be wary of lengthening people's names from a nickname unless you're 100% sure it's a nickname. I went to school with a girl named Christie. Christie was her given name, but people were forever lengthening it to Christine or Christina.
I would address people as they wish to be called under formal circumstances, which is usually just their first and last name. For people who always go by their middle name, don't include their first name. Even if you think the middle names (or in cases where people go by their middle names, first names) are nice, not everyone likes them being used. So unless people use their extra names in regular correspondence, don't use them either. It'll be easier on you too just to do all the invites the same way.
First, it seems like a lot of trouble to try to find out each guest's middle name, unless you are having a very small wedding. Also, some people don't like their middle names. I do like the idea of using the person's "official" first and last name (unless they typically go by a middle name), like Catherine instead of Cathy, but like chelseamorning said, make sure it actually is a nickname.
Really, the easiest thing would just be to address the envelopes as you refer to the person in real life. If you want to keep it simple, I'd just do that. No one is going to complain about that.
has anyone heard of addressing invites with a first, middle, and last name? (if you know it?)
ex Mr and Mrs. John Edward Smith
posted by virginia 66 posts 4 months agoWe only used middle names with people whom we know use their middle names regularly and sometimes to avoid confusion. For example, my brother is Calvin and so is my dad, but my brother is not a JR. So we used my brothers middle name on his invite. My grandma always uses her middle name when she signs things or sends emails (yes my 85 yr old grandma loves her computer), so we used her middle name as well.
I don't know the ettiquitte behind it, but that's how/why we did it.
posted by caliocteach 720 posts 4 months agoThere really isn't a reason why you should do it, unless you really want to. I've never heard of it being done.
posted by KateMW 483 posts 4 months agoI would address the invitations with the full versions of the person's usual name-- "Catherine" instead of "Cathy," etc.-- but would not add middle names unless the person normally used his/her middle name in correspondence, etc. Then again, if your wedding is less formal, you could just write "Cathy Smith" instead of Catherine.
It's up to you, but imagine trying to track down everyone's middle name!
posted by tanya2s 276 posts 4 months agoThough be wary of lengthening people's names from a nickname unless you're 100% sure it's a nickname. I went to school with a girl named Christie. Christie was her given name, but people were forever lengthening it to Christine or Christina.
I would address people as they wish to be called under formal circumstances, which is usually just their first and last name. For people who always go by their middle name, don't include their first name. Even if you think the middle names (or in cases where people go by their middle names, first names) are nice, not everyone likes them being used. So unless people use their extra names in regular correspondence, don't use them either. It'll be easier on you too just to do all the invites the same way.
posted by chelseamorning 216 posts 4 months agoFirst, it seems like a lot of trouble to try to find out each guest's middle name, unless you are having a very small wedding. Also, some people don't like their middle names. I do like the idea of using the person's "official" first and last name (unless they typically go by a middle name), like Catherine instead of Cathy, but like chelseamorning said, make sure it actually is a nickname.
Really, the easiest thing would just be to address the envelopes as you refer to the person in real life. If you want to keep it simple, I'd just do that. No one is going to complain about that.
posted by Lyre 4 posts 4 months ago