Wedding Invitation Etiquette For Doctors: When To Include The Title

There is no clear consensus on whether to include Dr. on wedding invitations. Some sources suggest that it is customary to include the title when addressing a doctor, especially if they are the hosts of the wedding. However, others argue that it is unnecessary and may be seen as boasting. Ultimately, it is a matter of personal preference, and there are no hard-and-fast rules. One consideration is whether the wedding is formal or casual, as titles are generally used in more formal settings. Additionally, the couple's names on the invitation may depend on their genders, with some suggesting that the man's name should come first, while others advocating for listing the woman's name first to avoid averting her name.

Including your own title on your wedding invitation

If you have earned a doctorate, you may choose to include the "Dr." abbreviation before your name on your wedding invitations. This is especially common if you are in the medical field, as medical doctors typically use their professional titles on invitations. However, it is essential to note that this is not a requirement and that the use of professional designations is usually reserved for business cards and professional letterheads.

On the other hand, if you have a Ph.D., the etiquette suggests using the "Dr." abbreviation instead of spelling out the full word "doctor." This is the opposite of the convention for medical doctors.

When including your title on the invitation, you can choose from various wording options. For example, you can use "Dr. [Your Name] and Mr. [Partner's Name]" or "Dr. and Mr. [Partner's Name]." If you prefer not to include your partner's name, you can simply use "Dr. [Your Full Name]."

It is worth mentioning that traditional etiquette suggests that women use their social title, "Mrs.," on wedding invitations. However, this is not a hard-and-fast rule, and you can choose to include your title regardless of gender. Additionally, if you are hosting the wedding yourselves, it is more common to include your title, while you would typically omit it if your parents are hosting.

Addressing a married couple when one is a doctor

When addressing a married couple when one is a doctor, the general consensus is that the person with the professional title should be listed first. For example:

"Doctor Tami Takata and Ms. Christina Smith" on the outer envelope, and "Dr. Takata and Ms. Smith" or "Tami and Christina" on the inner envelope.

However, there are different opinions on this. Some sources suggest that if the wife has a similar qualification, she should be listed first:

"Dr. Stephen Muller and Ms. Stephanie Adams".

If the doctor's wife uses the title "Mrs.", the traditional approach is to write "Dr. and Mrs.", followed by the man's first and last name:

"Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Muller".

If the couple has the same last name, you can address them as "The Doctors Smith" or "The Doctors". If they have different last names, list both names in alphabetical order on separate lines: "Dr. Rosenthal" and "Dr. Schwartz".

Some people may feel that including professional titles on wedding invitations is unnecessary, boasting, or irrelevant to the pending marriage. It is important to consider the preferences of the couple and whether they wish to include these titles.

Addressing a married couple when both are doctors

When addressing a married couple where both partners are doctors, there are a few options for how to format their names. If the couple shares the same last name, you can address them as "The Doctors [Last Name]," or use the abbreviated version, "The Drs. [Last Name]." Alternatively, you can write out each title and name, such as "Dr. [Name] and Dr. [Name]," with either person's name coming first.

If the doctors have different last names, it is recommended to spell out each title and name when addressing the invitation. For example, "Dr. John Smith and Dr. George Winston." In this case, it is generally advised to avoid writing "Drs. Smith and Winston" and instead, list their titles and names separately.

When addressing the inner envelope of the invitation, you can use the abbreviated version, such as "Dr. [Name] and Dr. [Name]," or simply use their first names, "John and George."

It is important to note that traditional etiquette suggests spelling out the word "Doctor" when inviting a medical doctor and using the abbreviation "Dr." when inviting someone with a Ph.D. or a doctorate degree.

Addressing a single female doctor

When addressing a single female doctor on a wedding invitation, the general consensus is to use "Dr." as the title, followed by the first and last name of the invitee. Here are some examples:

Outer envelope:

"Dr. [Name] [Last Name]"

Inner envelope:

"Dr. [First Name] [Last Name]" or "[First Name] [Last Name]"

For example, if the doctor's name is Amelia Smith:

Outer envelope:

"Dr. Amelia Smith"

Inner envelope:

"Dr. Amelia Smith" or "Amelia Smith"

It's worth noting that some people may prefer to use the full word "Doctor" instead of the abbreviation "Dr." when addressing a medical doctor. However, if the invitee has a Ph.D., the abbreviation "Dr." is typically used.

Additionally, the use of titles on wedding invitations is a personal preference. Some people may feel that including titles such as "Dr." is unnecessary or boastful, especially for a personal event like a wedding. Ultimately, the decision rests with the couple getting married, and they may choose to omit titles altogether for a more casual and relaxed approach.

Addressing a single male doctor

When addressing a single male doctor on a wedding invitation, the general rule is to use "Mr." if he is over 18 years old. If he is younger than 18, no title is necessary. Here are some examples of how to address a single male doctor on a wedding invitation:

Outer envelope: "Mr. James Montgomery"

Inner envelope: "Mr. Montgomery" or "James"

If the single male doctor has been offered a plus one, the outer envelope can simply include his name:

Outer envelope: "Mr. James Montgomery"

Inner envelope: "Mr. Montgomery and guest" or "James and guest"

It's worth noting that the use of titles on wedding invitations can vary depending on the formality of the event. For a more casual wedding, it may be appropriate to use first names only or first and last names without titles. However, for older or more conservative guests, using formal titles may be more respectful.

Additionally, it is important to consider the preference of the doctor being invited. Some doctors may prefer to use their professional title in certain settings, while others may prefer a more social approach. Knowing your audience and personalizing the invitation accordingly can be a thoughtful touch.

Frequently asked questions