Q: How do we let people know if they are allowed to bring a plus one or not? We have a very tight guest list and are limiting the +1 guest count. 

A: This is a very common question we come across, and as a society, we have become very casual with no longer a need for formal invitations or formal addressing as a common occurrence, so what used to be standard etiquette is no longer in practice anymore. We are no longer sending out formally addressed invitations to our Friday evening parties, Sunday Brunches and birthday parties, so when we are faced with a wedding or 50th anniversary party there is a lot of confusion. So with that said, let’s turn back to tradition and look at envelope addressing which will help solve the this bride's dilemma.

Let’s start with the very traditional; with formal invitations that have the traditional double envelope, you will address the outside mailing envelope to the recipient: Mr Joseph Smith. While addressing the inside envelope as: Mr. Joseph Smith and Guest or Mr. Joseph Smith and Miss Connie Miller. This signifies to the guest who specifically is invited to your event.

With a less formal invitation where you are using only one envelope, which has become a more common way of sending invitations,  you will address the envelop accordingly – Mr. Joseph Smith and Guest to signify he is allowed to invite a guest; Mr. Joseph Smith to signify he is the only one invited; Mr. Joseph Smith and Miss Connie Miller if your guest is engaged or in a long committed relationship and you know the guest or +1 they will be inviting.

Hope this helps answer your question and gives you a little bit of understanding on how to control your guest list through simple envelope addressing.

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Thanks for the great advice Heather! Be sure to check out Simply Designed's blog for more invitation advice and don't miss her adorable new Four Paws Greeting Card Line for a great cause!