Protocol Tuesday: How to Write the City on an Invitation?

Dear Mr. Hickey,

Everybody I'm inviting knows in which state my ceremony will be. On an invitation should I write “Nashville” or “City of Nashville"?

-- Vicki Cantrell

Dear Ms. Cantrell,

Write (city), (state): Nashville, Tennessee

You would write “city” if “city” is part of the cities name: New York City With some cities don’t have to have a state … like Washington, DC.

But for the others, use (city), (state). Our events are so special to us -- sometimes there’s an urge to fancy them up.

Maybe “City of Nashville” sounds grand? Resist the urge to embellish.

Keep it simple.

--Robert Hickey
www.formsofaddress.info