My good friend is getting married in a few months and I'm helping her with the invitations. She's inviting a good friend of ours, and her parents. The parents are both medical doctors, hence the problem.
How do we address the envelope to the doctors? We've checked several places on how to address the envelope, but we haven't found any that solve our problem. Do we address the envelope as:
Drs. John and Mary Smith
or
Dr John and Dr Mary Smith
or something else?
Any thoughts and help would appreciated. Or if you have a wed site you could refer us to, that would be nice too.
Thanks.
ETA: Our friend is getting a separate invitation from her parents.
I find Real Simple has good ideas:
http://www.realsimple.com/weddings/weddings-etiquette/how...
Married Couple, Both Doctors
In the case of married doctors and the wife has taken her husband's last name, it is proper to use: The Doctors. Another acceptable option: Drs. Barbara and John Kline.
They give other suggestions too
The last sentence below answers your question.
From http://emilypost.com/advice/addressing-sending-wedding-in...
To a married woman doctor or two married doctors
If the woman uses her husband’s name socially, the address is “Dr. Barbara and Mr. James Werner.” If she uses her maiden name both professionally and socially, it is “Dr. Barbara Hanson and Mr. James Werner.” If the husband is also a doctor, the address is either “The Drs. Werner” or “Drs. Barbara and Robert Werner.”
I would assume it would be "Drs. John and Mary Smith". That addresses both their titles as well as being married. Good luck.
I suggest the couple will not know the "proper" way any more than you do
They will not care. Many years ago proper etiquette was important. Not so much today. The fact they're doctors need not influence how you address them. This is a social occasion unrelated to their profession. I suggest you don't need titles for any of your guests. John and May Smith.
Apparently there are two different traditions. In my part of the world, the husband's name comes first.
I addressed all of my nvitations "John & Mary Smith." No "Mr" or "Mrs" and definitely no "Dr." I even used the "&." I absolutely abhore "Mr. And Mrs. John Smith." Is Mary no longer allowed to use her own first name?
Honestly, what's wrong with "John and Mary Smith?"
I think either is fine
Put the woman's name first, just because.
I always thought it was:
For the same last name, Drs. John and Mary Smith.
If different last names, Dr. John Smith and Dr. Mary Jones.
Tradition says ladies first. That's why her name should be first.
