What does an invite reading "Smith Family" mean to you?

Question

I ask because my Mom sent invites for my engagement party and now TWO families have gotten back to her asking if the invite includes the kids.

I always thought "Mr & Mrs Smith" meant the parents only "Smith Family" meant the parents and kids.

One of them is a really good friend of mine and when I do the invites for the wedding I feel like putting a sticky note inside ('cause we don't have inner envelopes) that reads "Smith Family means John, Jane, & Little Susie are all invited".

Answer 1

I assume "Smith Family" means the entire family, kids included. Contact those who haven't RSVP'd and says something like, "Hi, just wanted to check and see if you and the kids can come to the wedding."

Answer 2

Family is everyone in the household, including kids. In many cases, it can also mean adult children that the couple may not have names or addresses for.  

Answer 3

Simple. The entire clan was invited that are residing at the "Smith" family home, although we can rule out Fido.

Answer 4

I would think Smith Family would literally mean the immediate Smith family. Maybe they were just making sure.  

Answer 5

Please don't use sticky notes.  Yikes!  Just treat the outer envelope as the inner envelope.  Tradition says to put Smith Family outside, and detail who is invited on the inside.  There is nothing wrong with listing everyone invited on the outside above the address.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Suzie and Johnny

1234 Happy Lane

Small Town, USA 98765

No issues with who's invited there, huh?

Answer 6

LOL i hear you just be poliet and say yes your all invited i interpert it the same way you said it smith family means evryone mr and mrs means just the adults but all you can do is chuckle let it go theres more important things to worry about and just be gratefull that they want to be on the safe side could you imagine the oposite happening? sending it to mr and mrs and they bring thier kids with out asking and saying oh well i just assumed ....you knew i had kids.....LOL dont sweat the small stuff good luck and congratulations :)

edit_ for the wedding if your printing your own rsvp card what about seperating it _____number of adults attending _______number of children attending

Answer 7

To me, it means including the kids.

They were just doubling-checking. Maybe its been awhile since they have a received an invite with "and family" and they dont want to make a mistake.  

Answer 8

Your interpretation is correct.

Answer 9

I always thought "Mr & Mrs Smith" meant the parents only "Smith Family" meant the parents and kids-------YOU ARE CORRECT!!!!!

Answer 10

Family to me is all inclusive.  Mr. & Mrs. means just that, and no add on's.  Family means children and perhaps the dog.

Answer 11

To when it says Smith family it means the whole smith family.

Mom dad and suzie to. However if it said Mr and Mrs Smith that would mean only the parents.

Answer 12

I agree with you... I think if you list "family" or the child(ren)'s name(s) then that would indicate that yes, everyone is invited. But if you just do Mr. & Mrs. Smith that would just be those 2 people.

If you are worried about it, I don't see anything wrong with putting a little note inside saying that it's an adult reception only (if you are saying that you *don't* want the kids there, anyway.... I'm assuming that this is why you are mad about the whole thing, cuz you don't want them there)

And then if someone RSVP's for their family of 6, then you need to contact them and just tell them that you have limited space and Little Susie, Johnny, Debbie, and Joey will unfortunately be unable to attend, and add that this is why the invite was addressed only to them (mom and dad)

Let the thumbs-down begin! lol :)

Good luck! :)

Answer 13

You're definitely right, etiquette dictates that "Doe Family" means that every Doe in that household can attend. Unfortunately, etiquette rules don't mean all that much anymore so the family probably felt like they needed to check. Just feel good that the opposite didn't happen and they erred on the side of caution. I've heard many people on YA! asking what to do about guest that have RSVPd for 6 people when the invites specifically mentioned just Mr. and Mrs.  

Answer 14

That would mean the entire family to include any children living at home.

Just deal with the phone calls.  That's far better than a sticky note.

Answer 15

When I see "Smith Family" I think that it means the mother, father and children are invited - whereas "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" means that the parents are only invited. I thought that was how most people took it to mean - but at least they are polite and asking instead of just assuming the children are invited. Some people have the opposite problem...

Maybe on the envelopes you can say something like this

"Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Smith & Family"  

Answer 16

Proper etiquette is that "Mr. And Mrs. Smith" means the parents only, and "Smith Family" means the parents and kids.

Some people don't always understand that, though. They think that "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" includes the kids, and "Smith Family" includes the entire extended family. If they return an RSVP with an unexpected number, don't be afraid to call and ask about it, and explain to them what was meant!