Story highlights Having a formal wedding? There's a proper way to address the invitations

Couples may or may not share a last name, and that calls for protocol

After a divorce or a death, names may or may not change

Military titles, higher education and judgeships present special circumstances

You may have finalized the guest list, but that doesn't mean your wedding work is done. (But you're so close!) Sending the invitations sounds like a hassle-free to-do (off to the calligrapher they go!), but now's not the time to slack off.

To make sure those formal invitations are addressed properly, we turned to Anna Post, author of "Emily Post's Etiquette, 18th edition," for her expert advice. Consult this trusty guide before putting anything in writing.

All calligraphy done by Laura Hooper Calligraphy

Married Couple

In this case, it is proper to use Mr. and Mrs. Dean Wooley. Spell out the husband's first name. If you decide to include the husband's middle name, it should be spelled out, not abbreviated as an initial.

Single Female

Photos: Photos: Lake Tahoe, California – Stunning backdrops, expensive gowns, strung-out couples on the most important day of their lives ... how much drama can be packed into a single photo? We asked well known destination wedding photographers for their most striking work. For a winter wedding at Lake Tahoe, guests bundled up in down jackets and boots and huddled in the snow. Photographer Aaron Morris of Chrisman Studios says the main challenge, aside from frozen hands, was maneuvering in the snow. "When I would take a step, my leg would sink knee-deep into the snow," he says. Hide Caption 1 of 13 Photos: Monet's Garden, Paris – Destination weddings account for 24% of all U.S. weddings , with 30% of those weddings taking place outside the United States. "Some destination venues will have a wedding every day," says Ontario-based Mark Ridout of Ridout Photography about destination weddings. "When organizing so many weddings they have perfected it to an art." For their shoot, this couple from North York Ontario arranged to have the complete run of the park to themselves. Hide Caption 2 of 13 Photos: Gallery: Dramatic destination wedding photos – Ridout snapped Toronto couple Jennifer and Thomas on the island of Cayo Guillermo, Cuba. "This was taken after the wedding as we toured the resort looking for locations," says the photographer. Hide Caption 3 of 13 Photos: Paro, Bhutan – Taiwanese couple Christine and Chiaming flew to Bhutan for their wedding. "Christine loved the architecture of the traditional homes and temples, so it was important to us to show both the landscape and the architecture in the photos," says Ben Chrisman of Chrisman Studios , who took their wedding pics. "You have to really show what makes the place unique. You don't want the wedding photos to look like they could have been shot anywhere." Hide Caption 4 of 13 Photos: Santorini, Greece – "As a photographer, when a couple is flying you across the world to such a picturesque location as Santorini, Greece, it's imperative to go home with at least one epic photo that shows the stunning backdrop of this ancient white and blue city," says Chrisman. Mauricio Arias of Chrisman Studios posed his subjects and told them to keep interacting while he climbed high enough to capture the beautiful scene. Hide Caption 5 of 13 Photos: Montego Bay, Jamaica – While choosing Half-Moon Resort for their wedding, one couple noticed this little hut, actually a massage room for the hotel's spa. "We had a limited amount of time for portraits before the ceremony, so we were rushing around trying to hit all the desired spots," says Chrisman. "This photo captures the dramatic, cloudy sky we had that day." Hide Caption 6 of 13 Photos: Todos Santos, Mexico – Todos Santos is a laid-back beach town north of Cabo San Lucas. Despite a late ceremony time, Chrisman was determined to capture a dramatic sunset. "A bit of flash helped illuminate Apollina and Brad, and the light on the side (of the Hacienda Cerritos) balanced nicely with the colors of the sunset," says Chrisman. Hide Caption 7 of 13 Photos: Chicago – Taken after the two grooms' ceremony at Chicago's Lincoln Park, one of the grooms -- a wedding photographer himself -- suggested a portrait downtown. With light fading quickly, Chrisman had the newlyweds move higher on the La Salle Street Bridge's support beam so he could keep them in the light. "The main concern was hoping the police didn't come and tell them to get down before the shot was finished," says Chrisman. Hide Caption 8 of 13 Photos: Strand Kombuis, South Africa – Photographer Greg Lumley took this shot at a tidal pool in Cape Town after the ceremony and on the way to the reception. "I had chosen this spot specifically because of the dramatic boulders and glass-like pool edging the ocean," says Lumley. "The fact that the 12 Apostles -- part of Table Mountain -- were in the shot turned out to be total bonus, as I'd not noticed them before." Hide Caption 9 of 13 Photos: Maidens Cove, Cape Town – "If I have to climb, crawl or swim I will make the effort to shoot from an angle that really emphasizes the drama of the scene," says Greg Lumley. "It's remarkable how often that a little physical effort results in a breathtaking picture." This classic was taken at the Strand Kombuis (Beach Kitchen), about 100 kilometers from Cape Town. Hide Caption 10 of 13 Photos: Iceland – Sean McLellan, of husband-and-wife team McLellan Style, worked with a New York couple who chose Iceland for their wedding photographs. The Nashville-based photographer knew of a U.S. Navy plane that had crash-landed in the 1970s. Despite a satellite picture from Google Maps and GPS coordinates, it took the photographer and couple more than three hours to find the plane. "This image was actually taken at close to midnight by the time we were able to get there and get everything set up." Hide Caption 11 of 13 Photos: Playa Del Carmen, Mexico – About 100 guests flew to Mexico for a wedding at the Blue Bay Grand Esmerelda. On a hunt for something more than the "regular beach image," the McLellan Style team and their newlyweds chose an underwater cave (cenote). "We tried shooting in all sorts of different areas with light coming in from different directions," says McLellan. The prolonged shoot led to this photo, a rushed drive to the airport, a speeding ticket and a missed flight. "But that's OK, it was worth it," says McLellan. Hide Caption 12 of 13 Photos: San Diego, California – For this California wedding, newlyweds were photographed on dramatic coastal bluffs. "The rocky path down the cliff in this photo was not the most convenient nor high-heel friendly, but the bride took off her shoes to walk down the cliff," says Bryce Covey of Bryce Covey Photography. "It resulted in one of their and my own favorite photos of the wedding day!" Hide Caption 13 of 13

Photos: Brides around the world Photos: Brides around the world Brides around the world – Farzana Shaikh applies henna to visually impaired brides at the Andh Kanya Prakash Gruh institute as part of a ritual ahead of their marriages in Ahmedabad, India. Hide Caption 1 of 20 Photos: Brides around the world Brides around the world – A bride rides to church in the western Macedonian village of Galicnik. Hide Caption 2 of 20 Photos: Brides around the world Brides around the world – Belorussian brides take part in an annual Bride Parade in central Minsk. Hide Caption 3 of 20 Photos: Brides around the world Brides around the world – Rows of newly wedded brides and grooms mingle at the Unification Church's mass wedding at its headquarters in Gapyeong, South Korea, on February 17, 2013. About 3,500 couples matched by the church tied the knot. Hide Caption 4 of 20 Photos: Brides around the world Brides around the world – An Indian Muslim bride during a mass wedding ceremony at the ancient Sarkhej Roja in Ahmedabad. Hide Caption 5 of 20 Photos: Brides around the world Brides around the world – iReporter Mikael Ruttkay Hylin shared this striking photos from his trip to Mbour, Senegal, where he witnessed a traditional Muslim Senegalese wedding. Hide Caption 6 of 20 Photos: Brides around the world Brides around the world – Pakistani brides attend a mass marriage ceremony in Karachi. Some 110 couples participated in the ceremony organized by a local charity welfare trust. Hide Caption 7 of 20 Photos: Brides around the world Brides around the world – Brides line up with their grooms during a group Valentine's Day wedding at the National Croquet Center on February 14, 2013, in West Palm Beach, Florida. The group wedding is put on by the Palm Beach Country Clerk & Comptroller's office, and approximately 40 couples tied the knot. Hide Caption 8 of 20 Photos: Brides around the world Brides around the world – Couples prepare for marriage during a mass wedding ceremony on December 12, 2012, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The day saw a surge in marriage around the globe to mark 12/12/12. Hide Caption 9 of 20 Photos: Brides around the world Brides around the world – A Jewish bride is surrounded by relatives during her wedding to the great-grandson of the rabbi of the Tzanz Ultra-Orthodox Hasidic community in Netanya. Hide Caption 10 of 20 Photos: Brides around the world Brides around the world – In Jerusalem, Hannah Batya Penet dances with her relative during her wedding to Rabbi Shalom Rokach, the grandson of the Belz rabbi. Hide Caption 11 of 20 Photos: Brides around the world Brides around the world – A Japanese bride and her groom sail through a canal for their wedding procession after their wedding ceremony at Katori city in Chiba prefecture. Hide Caption 12 of 20 Photos: Brides around the world Brides around the world – A bride checks her messages while getting ready for a group picture after a mass wedding outside a Chinese temple in Kuala Lumpur on December 12, 2012. Hide Caption 13 of 20 Photos: Brides around the world Brides around the world – Musali Mohammed al-Mujamaie, a 92-year-old Iraqi farmer, sits next to Muna Mukhlif al-Juburi, his new 22-year-old wife, the new wives of his grandsons and one of his grandsons during celebrations after their group wedding in his home village of Gubban, Iraq. Hide Caption 14 of 20 Photos: Brides around the world Brides around the world – A crowd cheers as a Lebanese bride and groom pose for pictures at the site of a car bomb just days before in Beirut, Lebanon. Hide Caption 15 of 20 Photos: Brides around the world Brides around the world – Syrian soldiers celebrate with their their brides during a group wedding in Latakia province. Hide Caption 16 of 20 Photos: Brides around the world Brides around the world – A dozen brides wait to be married during a ceremony for a radio station contest at the Little Chapel of the Flowers on December 12, 2012, in Las Vegas. Hide Caption 17 of 20 Photos: Brides around the world Brides around the world – Lini Sasanto waits to fill out marriage papers at a busy City Clerk's office on December 12, 2012, in New York. Hide Caption 18 of 20 Photos: Brides around the world Brides around the world – A bride walks holding her wedding dress at the Gandan monastery on October 18, 2012, a special day on the lunar calendar for wedding ceremonies, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Hide Caption 19 of 20 Photos: Brides around the world Brides around the world – Luz Carmen Gonzalez marries Jesus Chacon in the last Maya wedding before the end of the Maya Long Count Calendar -- Baktun 13 -- and the beginning of a new era on December 17, 2012, in Merida, Mexico. Hide Caption 20 of 20

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In the case of a single female guest, it is proper to use Ms. if she is over age 16 or 18. If she is younger, than Miss is the acceptable choice.

Hyphenated Last Name

In the case of a wife who has chosen to hyphenate her last name, then she should be addressed using Ms. (Mrs. is also acceptable) + her first name + maiden name + married name: Mr. David Crosby and Ms. Lynn Carter-Crosby.

Unmarried Couple Living Together

The word "and" was once used to represent a marriage, a union. This rule no longer applies. In the case of a couple who is living together, address the male first, followed by the female: Mr. Luke Davis and Ms. Mary Carter.

Divorced Female Who Kept Her Married Name

After a divorce, a woman might keep her married name. In this instance, it is okay to use Mrs. or Ms. to address the guest and use her first name (spelled out). It is often best to find out what she prefers to go by.

Same Sex Couple

In this case, it is totally acceptable to put either guest first. If you can't decide, address them in alphabetical order.

Widow

Traditionally, a widow retains her husband's name until she remarries. Some widows prefer to use their own first name as well. In this case, it is best to ask what she prefers. Mrs. John Dunlop or Mrs. Jane Dunlop would be acceptable.

Divorced Female Who Uses Her Maiden Name

After a divorce, a woman often stops using her husband's last name. Addressing her by either Ms. or Mrs. is acceptable.

Married Couple, Both Doctors

In the case of married doctors and the wife has taken her husband's last name, it is proper to use: The Doctors. Another acceptable option: Drs. Barbara and John Kline.

Wife is a Doctor

If her husband is not a "doctor," address invitations to Dr. Linda Smith and Mr. Mark Smith. Her name comes first because her professional title "outranks" his social title.

Married Doctors With Different Last Names

If both guests are doctors, but she has chosen to keep her last name, it is appropriate to address her first and with both full names: Doctor Maura Lydel and Doctor John Morris.

Wife is a Commissioned Officer

If her husband is not a "Captain," address invitations to Captain Sara Trace and Mr. Jake Trace. Her name comes first because her professional title "outranks" his social title.

Husband is a Retired Commissioned Officer

In this case, it is important to recognize the husband's position or ranking: Colonel and Mrs. Kurt Shaw.

Husband is a Judge

In this case it is appropriate to recognize a title, such as a judge: The Honorable Judd Walter and Mrs. Walter.

Wife is the Judge

If her husband is not a judge, address invitations to the Honorable Ann Lewis and Mr. John Lewis. Her name comes first because her professional title "outranks" his social title.

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