Writing 'Dr. And Mrs.' On Wedding Invites: A Guide

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations, there are a few nuances to consider. The traditional way to address a married couple with the same last name is to use Mr. and Mrs. followed by the husband's full name. However, modern alternatives include using both first names, with the male's name coming first, or addressing them by their first names only. If the couple has different last names, it is more common to use both first names, listing the person you are closest with first, or going in alphabetical order if you are equally close to both. When addressing a married couple with one doctor, the spouse with the professional title should be listed first, for example, Doctor and Mrs. Robert Smith or Doctor Elizabeth and Mr. Robert Smith. If both spouses are doctors with the same last name, they can be addressed as The Doctors [Last Name] or Doctors [First Name] and [First Name] [Last Name].

How to address a married couple with the same last name

When addressing a married couple with the same last name, there are a few options to consider. These options differ based on the level of formality you wish to convey, as well as the couple's gender and preferences. Here are some guidelines to help you address a wedding invitation to a married couple with the same last name:

Formal Addressing:

For heterosexual couples, a traditional and formal way to address the outer envelope is to use "Mr." followed by the husband's full name, and "Mrs." followed by the wife's first name and their shared last name. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren". If you prefer to include the wife's first name, you can write, "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren". On the inner envelope, you can simply address them as "Mr. and Mrs. Warren" or use their first names, "Thomas and Michelle".

For same-sex couples, you can follow a similar format but with more flexibility in the order of names. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Michelle Warren" or "Mrs. Michelle Warren and Mr. Thomas Warren". On the inner envelope, you can use their first names, such as "Michelle and Thomas".

Informal Addressing:

If you prefer a more casual approach, you can address the couple using their shared last name without their first names on the outer envelope, such as "Mr. and Mrs. Warren". On the inner envelope, you have the option to use just their first names, like "Thomas and Michelle".

Other Considerations:

It's important to be mindful of the couple's preferences, especially if the wife has a strong aversion to having her name left out or being addressed as "Mrs." Only use "Mrs." if you are certain that the wife has changed her name after marriage. If you are unsure, it is always best to ask beforehand rather than assume. Additionally, when addressing the outer envelope, avoid using only one person's first name on the same line as the other person's name, as it may appear disrespectful.

How to address a married couple with different last names

When addressing a married couple with different last names, it's important to use their full names, including titles. The outer envelope should include both people's titles and full names, with their names written on the same line. For example, "Ms. Celine Elgin and Mr. Thomas Warren". If their names are too long and don't fit on one line, write their names separately. For instance, "Ms. Maria Stevens" and "Mr. David Estevez".

When addressing the inner envelope, you can drop the titles and use their first names, such as "Celine and Thomas". Alternatively, you can use their titles and last names, like "Ms. Elgin and Mr. Warren".

If you're unsure about the couple's titles or name preferences, it's always best to ask beforehand to avoid any misunderstandings or incorrect assumptions.

How to address a married couple with one hyphenated last name

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with one hyphenated last name, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, it is important to use the correct titles and spell out the full names. An example of this would be:

"Mr. Marcus Craft and Mr. Brian Crosby-Craft"

This format is used for the outer envelope, which is more formal. For the inner envelope, you can use their first names, like so:

"Marcus and Brian"

If you want to include their titles on the inner envelope as well, you can write:

"Mr. Craft and Mr. Crosby-Craft"

Now, if the spouse with the hyphenated last name is a woman, the outer envelope format changes slightly. "Mrs." is not technically correct in this case, so it is best to use "Ms." or another appropriate title. Here is an example:

"Ms. Mary Smith-Jones and Mr. Michael Jones"

Again, for the inner envelope, you can use their first names or include their titles:

"Mary and Michael" or "Ms. Smith-Jones and Mr. Jones"

It is worth noting that some people may prefer a more modern and casual approach, omitting titles altogether and using only first and last names. It is always a good idea to consider the couple's preferences and what you think they would appreciate most.

How to address a married couple when one person is a doctor

When addressing a married couple when one person is a doctor, the general rule is to list the spouse with the professional title first. This can be done in a few different ways, depending on their titles, names, and whether they share the same last name.

If the husband is a doctor and the wife is not, the outer envelope can be addressed as "Dr. and Mrs. [Husband's First Name] [Shared Last Name]". Alternatively, you can include both first names, as in "Dr. [Husband's First Name] and Mrs. [Wife's First Name] [Shared Last Name]". For a more informal approach, you can address them as "Dr. and Mrs. [Shared Last Name]" or simply use their first names, such as "Dr. [Husband's First Name] and [Wife's First Name]".

On the other hand, if the wife is a doctor and the husband is not, the outer envelope can be formatted as "Dr. [Wife's First Name] and Mr. [Husband's First Name] [Shared Last Name]" or "Dr. [Wife's First Name] [Shared Last Name] and Mr. [Husband's First Name] [Shared Last Name]". For a more casual tone, you can refer to them as "Dr. and Mr. [Shared Last Name]" or use their first names, such as "Dr. [Wife's First Name] and [Husband's First Name]".

It's worth noting that the rules for addressing married couples with different last names differ slightly. In this case, you would list the person you are closest with first, or opt for alphabetical order if you're equally close to both. For instance, if the husband is a doctor and the couple has different last names, the outer envelope could be addressed as "Dr. [Husband's First Name] [Husband's Last Name] and Mrs. [Wife's First Name] [Wife's Last Name]". If the wife is the doctor and they have different last names, it would be "Dr. [Wife's First Name] [Wife's Last Name] and Mr. [Husband's First Name] [Husband's Last Name]".

Additionally, when addressing the inner envelope, you can abbreviate "Doctor" to "Dr." and opt for a more informal tone. For instance, "Dr. [Last Name] and Mrs. [Last Name]" or "Dr. [First Name] and [First Name]".

How to address a married couple when both are doctors

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple where both spouses are doctors, the correct etiquette is to use "The Doctors" followed by their shared last name. For example, "The Doctors Smith". Alternatively, you can use "Drs." followed by their full names, for example, "Drs. Matthew and Angela Smith".

If the married doctors have different last names, you would address the envelope as follows: "Dr. Matthew Smith and Dr. Angela Griggs-Smith". If the names are too long to fit on one line, indent the second line.

If one spouse has chosen to hyphenate their last name, the format would be: "Doctor [name] and Doctor [name]-[name]". For example, "Doctor Matthew Smith and Doctor Angela Griggs-Smith".

It is also acceptable to use "The Doctors [last name]" on the inner envelope.

When addressing doctors, it is important to distinguish between medical doctors and those with a Ph.D. For medical doctors, "Doctor" should be spelled out on the outer envelope, and abbreviated on the inner envelope. For those with a Ph.D., the abbreviation "Dr." is used.

In general, the spouse with the professional title should be listed first when addressing a married couple.

Frequently asked questions