Addressing Wedding Invites: For Doctor Couples, Etiquette Matters

When addressing a wedding invitation to two married doctors, it is important to consider both their titles and their names. If the couple shares the same last name, the invitation can be addressed to The Doctors [Last Name], or The Drs. [Last Name]. Alternatively, you can write out each title and name, such as Dr. [Name] [Last Name] and Dr. [Name] [Last Name]. In this case, either person's name can come first. If the married doctors have different last names, it is recommended to spell out each title and name. For example, Dr. [Name] [Last Name] and Dr. [Name] [Last Name].

Married doctors with the same last name

When addressing a wedding invitation to married doctors with the same last name, there are a few different options for ensuring proper etiquette. Here are some examples to consider:

Outer envelope: "The Doctors Smith" or "The Drs. Smith"

Inner envelope: "The Doctors Smith"

This format is concise and clear, indicating that both individuals are doctors and share the same last name.

Alternatively, you can address them as:

Outer envelope: "Drs. John and Jane Smith" or "Dr. John Smith and Dr. Jane Smith"

Inner envelope: "Drs. John and Jane Smith" or "Dr. John Smith and Dr. Jane Smith"

In this case, you are spelling out the full title of "Doctor" and including their full names. The order of their names is flexible and can be adjusted as desired.

Another option is to address them separately:

Outer envelope: "Dr. John Smith and Dr. Jane Smith"

Inner envelope: "Dr. John Smith and Dr. Jane Smith"

This format ensures that each doctor's title and full name are included, providing a more traditional and formal approach.

Remember, it is essential to consider your guests' preferences and what they may find most respectful and appropriate.

Married doctors with different last names

When addressing a wedding invitation to married doctors with different last names, there are a few etiquette rules to follow. Firstly, it is standard to use the title "Doctor" in full for medical doctors, whereas for individuals with a Ph.D., the abbreviated form "Dr." is used. Secondly, the spouse with the professional title ("Doctor" or "Dr.") should be listed first, followed by their partner.

For married doctors with different last names, list both names in alphabetical order on separate lines. For example, if one spouse's surname is "Rosenthal" and the other's is "Schwartz", the outer and inner envelopes would be addressed as follows:

> Dr. Rosenthal

> Dr. Schwartz

If the doctors use different last names socially, the same structure can be applied. For instance, if one spouse uses the name "Dr. Elizabeth Brown" and the other uses "Dr. Robert Smith", the invitation would be addressed as:

> Dr. Elizabeth Brown

> Dr. Robert Smith

It is important to be mindful of your guests' preferences and use the names they go by professionally or socially.

Abbreviating doctor as 'Dr'

Abbreviating the word "doctor" as "Dr." is a common practice. The word "doctor" starts with a "d" and ends with an "r", which is why abbreviating it as "Dr." makes sense. This abbreviation is typically used when addressing someone with a medical doctorate degree (M.D.).

When addressing wedding invitations to married doctors, it is important to consider their titles and surnames. If both spouses are doctors and share the same last name, the invitation can be addressed to "The Doctors Smith" or "The Doctors Elizabeth and Robert Smith". If they have different last names, their names should be listed alphabetically and separately as "Dr. Rosenthal" and "Dr. Schwartz".

It is worth noting that the abbreviation "Dr." is used for medical doctors, while "Ph.D." is used for a Doctor of Philosophy. The use of "Dr." is also appropriate for individuals with other doctoral degrees, such as Ed.D. (Doctor of Education) or D.Min. (Doctor of Ministry).

In terms of formatting, the abbreviation "Dr." is typically written with a full stop/period in American English (Dr.) but without a full stop/period in British English (Dr).

Addressing the envelope

When addressing a wedding invitation to two married doctors, there are a few different options depending on whether the doctors have the same last name or different last names. Here are some examples of how to address the envelope for each scenario:

Two Married Doctors With the Same Last Name:

• "The Doctors Smith"
• "The Drs. Smith"
• "Dr. John Smith and Dr. Jane Smith"
• "Drs. John and Jane Smith"

Two Married Doctors With Different Last Names:

"Dr. John Smith and Dr. George Winston" (avoid using "Drs. Smith and Winston")

In all of the above examples, either person's name can come first. It is also important to note that when addressing a letter to a couple, the person with the highest social rank or the one you are closest to is usually listed first. In the case of doctors, some sources suggest sticking with the “ladies first" rule.

Additionally, if one spouse is a doctor and the other is not, there are a few options for addressing the envelope:

• "Dr. Jane Smith and Mr. John Smith" (whether or not the couple shares a last name)
• "Dr. and Mr. Smith"
• "Dr. and Mrs. Smith"

When addressing the envelope, it is also important to follow these general guidelines:

• Avoid abbreviations or middle initials when addressing formal invitations.
• While titles are abbreviated (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr.), all other words such as "Street" or "Boulevard" should be spelled out.
• State names can be written in full or use the two-letter postal code abbreviation.
• Middle names or initials are typically not included.

Inner and outer envelopes

The use of inner and outer envelopes for wedding invitations is a long-standing tradition. Historically, the outer envelope was handled by servants, who would then deliver the inner envelope to the intended recipient. Today, the outer envelope is used for mailing and bears the recipient's address, while the inner envelope is used to specify who is invited to the wedding.

The outer envelope is the more formal of the two and is addressed using titles, first names, and last names. Middle initials are typically omitted, and all words, such as "Street" or "Boulevard", are spelled out. State names can be written in full or abbreviated using the two-letter postal code. For a married couple with the same last name, a formal outer envelope would be addressed as "Mr. and Mrs. [Last Name]". For a married couple with different last names, the formal format would be "Ms. [First Name] [Last Name] and Mr. [First Name] [Last Name]".

The inner envelope can be more casual and intimate. It is smaller than the outer envelope and traditionally only includes the titles and last names of the guests. However, it can also include first names or nicknames for close family members. The inner envelope is used to specify who is invited to the wedding, especially when children are involved. For example, if Mr. and Mrs. James Darling and their two children, Sarah and Jonathan, are invited, the inner envelope would be addressed as:

> Mr. and Mrs. Darling

> Sarah Darling

> Jonathan Darling

When addressing a married couple where both spouses are doctors and share the same last name, the outer and inner envelopes can be addressed to "The Doctors [Last Name]". If the doctors have different last names, list both names in alphabetical order: "Dr. [Last Name]" followed by "Dr. [Last Name]". If only one spouse is a doctor, list the person with the professional name first: "Dr. [Name] [Last Name] and Mr./Mrs. [Name] [Last Name]".

Frequently asked questions