Invitations and Stationery

How Do I Address Professional Guests' Invites?

We’re inviting a couple in which the wife is a dentist and the husband doesn’t have a professional title. How should we word the outer and inner envelopes on the invitation?

There’s a basic rule here: the person with the most impressive title always goes first on the invitation. So it should read ”Dr. Aida Quinn and Mr. Anthony Quinn.” The inner envelope would then be addressed ”Dr. and Mr. Quinn.” If they’re close family members, you can just put ”Uncle Anthony and Aunt Aida” on the inner envelope.

If the good doctor kept her maiden name, the outer envelope is addressed to ”Dr. Marcia Brady and Mr. Anthony Quinn” on the same line. Inside, write ”Dr. Brady and Mr. Quinn.”

If this all seems way too confusing for you, just ditch the professional titles for everyone, and stick to plain old Mr., Mrs. and Ms., which can be tricky enough on their own. But keep in mind—titled people often worked very hard to attain those Dr.’s before their names, and may be a little bummed if they aren’t addressed that way.