Junior Rasmussen
When addressing a wedding card to a gay couple, there are a few standard etiquette rules you can follow. If the couple has the same last name, you can address them as Mr. and Mr. or Mrs. and Mrs. followed by their shared surname. For example, Mr. Jack and Mr. Joe Smith. If the couple has different last names, you can write their names on separate lines, such as Mr. Charles Adams and Mr. John Green. Alternatively, you can write their names on the same line, separated by the word and, like Mr. Charles Adams and Mr. John Green. If you are unsure about the couple's preference, feel free to ask them directly. When it comes to the message inside the card, you can express pride, offer words of support, or celebrate the hard-earned right to marry. You can also tailor your message to the couple's LGBTQ+ identity or write something similar to what you would say to a straight cisgender couple.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Titles and last names
When addressing a wedding card to a same-sex couple, the titles and last names you use will depend on their gender identities and surnames. Here are some guidelines to follow:
For a Male Couple with the Same Last Name
If the couple shares the same surname, you can address them as "Mr. [First Name] and Mr. [First Name] [Last Name]." For example, "Mr. Adam and Mr. Bob Irvine." If you are on more casual terms with the couple, you may choose to omit the "Mr." and simply use their first names.
If you are inviting one half of the couple as your guest and would like to extend the invitation to their partner, you can write, "Mr. [First Name] [Last Name] and Mr. [First Name] [Same Last Name]." For example, "Mr. Roger Gonzalez and Mr. Alex Gonzalez."
For a Male Couple with Different Last Names
If the couple has different surnames, you can simply write "Mr. [First Name] [Last Name] and Mr. [First Name] [Last Name]." For example, "Mr. John Smith and Mr. Joseph Bloggs."
For a Female Couple with the Same Last Name
If the couple shares the same surname, you can address them as "Mrs. [First Name] and Mrs. [First Name] [Last Name]." For example, "Mrs. Jane and Mrs. Sarah Clint." Alternatively, you can use the French plural title "Mesdames" followed by their shared last name, such as "Mesdames Clint."
For a Female Couple with Different Last Names
If the couple has different surnames, you can write "Mrs. [First Name] [Last Name] and Mrs. [First Name] [Last Name]." For example, "Mrs. Jane Smith and Mrs. Sarah Bloggs."
Alphabetical Order
If you are unsure about whose name to write first, you can follow alphabetical order. For example, if you are inviting "Mr. Adam Irvine and Mr. Bob Irvine", you would write their names as "Mr. Adam Irvine and Mr. Bob Irvine."
Unmarried Couples
If the couple is not married, traditional etiquette suggests addressing each person individually, writing their names on separate lines. For example, you could write, "Mr. Adam Irvine / Mr. Bob Irvine."
Gender Identity
Remember that gender identity may not align with physical appearance or presentation. One member of a gay male couple might identify as more feminine and prefer to be addressed as "Mrs." Similarly, one member of a lesbian female couple might identify as non-binary and prefer a gender-neutral title like "Mx." Always ask the couple about their preferred titles and pronouns if you are unsure.
Formality
The level of formality in your wedding card will depend on the couple's preferences and the nature of your relationship with them. If you are close to the couple and know they prefer informality, you may choose to use only their first names. However, if the couple is more traditional or conservative, a more formal address using titles and last names may be more appropriate.
Etiquette for Addressing Wedding Cards to Mr. and Mrs
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Alphabetical order
When addressing a wedding card to a gay couple, it is important to follow certain etiquette rules. If the couple is married, their names should typically appear on the same line, just as they would for a heterosexual couple. For example, "Mrs. Sarah Norris and Mrs. Caroline Wallace".
If the couple has the same last name, you can address them as "the Mrs. [Last Name]" or "Mrs. and Mrs. [Names] [Last Name]". For instance, "Mrs. and Mrs. Jane and Joan Smith".
When addressing an unmarried gay couple, the outer envelope should follow the traditional format of one name per line, listed in alphabetical order by last name. For example, "Mr. Andrew Jones, Mr. Kevin Marbury". The inner envelope would then include each title and last name on a separate line: "Mr. Jones, Mr. Marbury".
If you are unsure about the proper format, it is always best to ask the couple about their preference. There are no set rules, and different same-sex couples may have different preferences.
Addressing Wedding Envelopes: The Formal Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Individual addresses
When addressing a wedding card to a gay couple, you can address each individual separately, just as you would for an unmarried opposite-sex couple. This is also a good option if the couple has different last names. Here are some examples:
- If one person has taken their partner's last name, you can address them as such: "Mr. Roger Gonzalez and Mr. Alex Gonzalez".
- If they have different last names, you can simply use their first and last names: "Mr. Roger Gonzalez and Mr. Adam Smith".
- If you are inviting a married gay couple with the same last name, you can use their first and last names: "Mr. Roger Gonzalez and Mr. Alex Gonzalez".
- For a female married gay couple, you can address each member as "Mrs.": "Mrs. Jane Smith and Mrs. Sarah Smith". Alternatively, you can write: "Mrs. Jane and Mrs. Sarah Smith".
- If you don't want to use titles or separate lines, you can address them by their first names only: "Roger and Alex".
- If you're close to one or both halves of the couple, you might want to write a message directed more towards one person. You could address each of them individually within the same card or send an additional card to one or both of them.
Remember, there are no set rules about whose name comes first when addressing a gay couple. You can put either person's name first, or list the names alphabetically if you have no preference. When in doubt, ask the couple how they prefer to be addressed.
Guide to Addressing Return Labels for Wedding Gifts
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Married titles
When addressing a wedding card to a same-sex couple, the general rule is to follow the same etiquette as you would for any other unmarried or married couple with different last names. If the couple has different last names, their names should be listed alphabetically on separate lines on the outer envelope of the invitation, using their titles and last names on the inner envelope. For example:
"Mr. George Bellafante
Mr. Thomas Jones
Or
Mr. Bellafante and Mr. Jones"
If the couple has the same last name, you can address them as "Mr. John Smith and Mr. Joseph Smith" or "Mrs. Jane Smith and Mrs. Sarah Smith". An alternative option is to use the French plural forms "Messrs." or "Mesdames", which can be abbreviated as "Mssrs." or "Mmes." For example:
"Messrs. Charles and John Green
Or
"Mmes. Anna and Emily Andrews"
It is also acceptable to put the couple's names on the same line, separated by the word "and", indicating that they are married. For example:
"Mr. Charles Adams and Mr. John Green
Or
"Mrs. Jane Smith and Mrs. Sarah Jones"
Ultimately, there are no hard and fast rules, and different same-sex couples may have different preferences. If you are unsure, it is always best to ask the couple how they would like to be addressed.
Boots at Weddings: Tacky or Trendy?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pride and support
When addressing a wedding card to a gay couple, there are a few standard etiquette rules you can follow. If the couple has the same last name, you can address them as "Mr. and Mr." followed by their first names and last name. For example, "Mr. John and Mr. Jacob Smith". Alternatively, you can use the French equivalent "Messrs.", which is the plural of "Monsieur", as in "Messrs. John and Jacob Smith".
If the couple has different last names, you can list their names separately, just as you would for an unmarried couple or a married couple with different last names. For instance, "Mr. John Smith and Mr. Jacob Black".
When addressing a lesbian couple, the same rules apply. You can use "Mrs. and Mrs." followed by their first names and last name if they share a last name. For example, "Mrs. Jane and Mrs. Sarah Smith". Alternatively, you can use the French equivalent "Mesdames", which is the plural of "Madame", as in "Mesdames. Jane and Sarah Smith". If the couple has different last names, you can simply list their names separately, for instance, "Mrs. Jane Smith and Mrs. Sarah Black".
While there are general rules you can follow, remember that not every LGBTQ+ couple has the same preference. If you are unsure about the appropriate way to address a couple, it is always best to ask them directly about their preferred format.
When it comes to the message inside the card, you can choose to tailor your words to celebrate and support the couple's LGBTQ+ identity. Here are some examples:
- "You've got love. And you've got us. We're with you all the way."
- "Your love is inspiring. You're a shining example of what happens when two people who are meant to be do what it takes to be together."
- "Even in a crazy world, love finds a way. So happy it did for the two of you."
- "I know the journey the two of you took to get here. Can't wait to see where you go from today."
Etiquette Guide: Addressing Children on Wedding Invites
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
If the couple has the same surname, you can address them as "Mr. [Name] and Mr. [Name]". If you want to write the surname only once, you can write "Messrs. [Surname]".
If the couple has the same surname, you can address them as "Mrs. [Name] and Mrs. [Name]". If you want to write the surname only once, you can write "Mesdames [Surname]".
If the couple has different surnames, list their names separately, e.g., "Mr. [Name] [Surname] and Mr. [Name] [Surname]".
If one person has taken their spouse's surname, you can address them as "Mrs. [Name] and Mrs. [Name] [Surname]".
You can write a message of support or pride, celebrating their hard-earned right to marry. You can also write something funny or lighthearted, especially if you are close to one or both halves of the couple.
