What is correct etiquette?

[Pistom]

Could anyone tell me if there is a correct way to address a couple when sending a card or invite for a social event.

Assuming it's a hetrosexual couple - should it be the ladies name first or does such a rule not exist?

Many etiquet rules are ignored these days and it really doesn't matter but I was wondering if such a rule existed?

[NDA]

Pistom said:

Could anyone tell me if there is a correct way to address a couple when sending a card or invite for a social event.

Assuming it's a hetrosexual couple - should it be the ladies name first or does such a rule not exist?

Many etiquet rules are ignored these days and it really doesn't matter but I was wondering if such a rule existed?

If you were being very formal it would be Mr and Mrs Harry Newman (for example). Less formal would be Harry and Susan Newman. Probably putting the man's name first.... bit old fashioned, but you asked.

If they are not married, Mr H Newman and Ms S Jackson.

This is on the envelope, inside it would be Dear Harry and Susan.....

[Doofus]

Correct etiquet is "etiquette"

[The Mad Monk]

Pistom said:

Could anyone tell me if there is a correct way to address a couple when sending a card or invite for a social event.

Assuming it's a hetrosexual couple - should it be the ladies name first or does such a rule not exist?

Many etiquet rules are ignored these days and it really doesn't matter but I was wondering if such a rule existed?

First thing is to spell the word etiquette properly.

Secondly, if to want to do things properly, it's an invitation, not an invite.

[LimaDelta]

Pick up a copy of Debrett's.

[Silvanus]

NDA said:

Pistom said:

Could anyone tell me if there is a correct way to address a couple when sending a card or invite for a social event.

Assuming it's a hetrosexual couple - should it be the ladies name first or does such a rule not exist?

Many etiquet rules are ignored these days and it really doesn't matter but I was wondering if such a rule existed?

If you were being very formal it would be Mr and Mrs Harry Newman (for example). Less formal would be Harry and Susan Newman. Probably putting the man's name first.... bit old fashioned, but you asked.

If they are not married, Mr H Newman and Ms S Jackson.

This is on the envelope, inside it would be Dear Harry and Susan.....

there are a fair few couples that don't share a surname. I think old fashioned formalities are just that, old fashioned. We live in a day when if you use old etiquette you will offend someone and if you don't you will also offend someone. You know the people so make a judgement on how they would like to be addressed. If you don't know them that well don't invite them

[cobra kid]

LimaDelta said:

Pick up a copy of Debrett's.

Don't. They'll end up sounding like my mother inlaw wants to sound.

[MesoForm]

NDA said:

Pistom said:

Could anyone tell me if there is a correct way to address a couple when sending a card or invite for a social event.

Assuming it's a hetrosexual couple - should it be the ladies name first or does such a rule not exist?

Many etiquet rules are ignored these days and it really doesn't matter but I was wondering if such a rule existed?

If you were being very formal it would be Mr and Mrs Harry Newman (for example). Less formal would be Harry and Susan Newman. Probably putting the man's name first.... bit old fashioned, but you asked.

If they are not married, Mr H Newman and Ms S Jackson.

This is on the envelope, inside it would be Dear Harry and Susan.....

A friend of my wife was president of the local law society, she was invited to some event as president and her husband was invited too. She was pretty angry when the invitation said 'Mr and Mrs Harry Newman' when 'Harry' was coming along as her husband and her name wasn't included at all.

[Pistom]

The Mad Monk said:

Pistom said:

Could anyone tell me if there is a correct way to address a couple when sending a card or invite for a social event.

Assuming it's a hetrosexual couple - should it be the ladies name first or does such a rule not exist?

Many etiquet rules are ignored these days and it really doesn't matter but I was wondering if such a rule existed?

First thing is to spell the word etiquette properly.

Secondly, if to want to do things properly, it's an invitation, not an invite.

Thankfully, I got it right in the heading, not sure what went wrong in the body but thank you (and Doofus) anyway.

I'm not so concerned about this particular address but I was just curious as I could have sworn that I was tuaght many many years ago to use the female name first. That doesn't seem to be the case.

[NDA]

CheesecakeRunner said:

NDA said:

If you were being very formal it would be Mr and Mrs Harry Newman (for example). Less formal would be Harry and Susan Newman. Probably putting the man's name first.... bit old fashioned, but you asked.

I believe if one of the couple is a Doctor, they go first irrespective of gender.

So you could have Dr and Mr Newman.

Yes... and one could be an earl living with countess. The possibilities are endless.

[Scrump]

Pistom said:

Thankfully, I got it right in the heading…

No you didn’t!
Etiquette dictates that your mistake was corrected but not highlighted.

[Doofus]

Scrump said:

Pistom said:

Thankfully, I got it right in the heading…

No you didn’t!
Etiquette dictates that your mistake was corrected but not highlighted.

Indeed. Poor form, old boy.

[Pistom]

[anonymous-user]

To one plus one,
One is cordially invited.....blah blah

[Spare tyre]

Whoever you know the most first