Invitation Salutation for Ex-foreign Medical Doctors

We have several physicians and surgeons invited to our wedding, and we are addressing all of our invitations to “Mr”, “Mrs”, “Ms”, etc. regardless of occupational title. We didn’t see a need to acknowledge an occupational title on an invitation to a social/non-occupational event.

Even if they are not practicing, they have a doctorate, I'm assuming. Anyone with a doctorate (MD, DO, PhD, etc.), we addressed as "Dr. Last Name" on the invitations.

View Quoted Comment I just wasn’t sure if it mattered whether they are practicing or not! Like, my SIL finished medical school in the Philippines but hasn’t taken the medical board exams in the US and I don’t know what to address her on invitations. I do know that she doesn’t really want to go through becoming a doctor here so I just kept her as “Mrs.”. She might feel pressured to take the medical board exams if I put “Dr” lol.

View Quoted Comment Technically, the title refers to their degree, not their profession. However, if you feel like she may feel uncomfortable being called Dr., I would just go with "Mrs" or "Ms."

I invited my cousin who is a retired ER dr & her husband who’s a pediatric oncologist to our wedding- I addressed the invite as Mr & Mrs. It’s a social event not an occupational event.

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Is that the new norm? When I was looking up articles online on how to properly address wedding invitations they said to include "Doctor" Salutations (along with some over ones).

View Quoted Comment I put Mrs because she’s retired- honestly didn’t think of addresssing it as Dr & Mrs. The family is Ex Foreign Drs so it should be addressed as Mr & Mrs.

The title of Dr is related to their degree not their profession so you would still address them as Dr even if they are no longer practicing. This would also go for retired doctors. Once a Dr always a Dr.

View Quoted Comment Agreed with this. For formal invitations, you should use the Dr. as that’s their title. Same with any military (active or retired)- they should be addressed with their rank. It doesn’t matter if it’s a social event or not.

I'm an MD, and it would be weird for me to receive a formal invitation saying "Ms LastName".

I would address as Dr., they don't take away the title when you retire. It's not an occupational designation.

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I didn't see this before I posted, but yes, this.

View Quoted Comment Thanks! What if they got an MD in the Philippines, but don’t really want to go into medicine in the US? Like, she confided in me that she doesn’t want to do medicine and would rather do business. Would it still be appropriate to put “Dr.” or would that be like a weird way of pressuring her to take the board exams?

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Again, the Dr. designate doesn't have to do with the occupation. If you're still unsure, then ask your guests.

View Quoted Comment You’re completely overthinking this. She is a Dr. address it as such.

Yes, I would still address them as Dr. While that may not be the current role they're in professionally, they have earned their doctorates and it is correct to use the moniker regardless of what they do for a living.

One of my closest friends is a PhD and though she isn't in a deliverable role at work that requires a doctorate, she is still formally addressed as Dr. [Last Name].

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It is not the new norm. It is still correct to use Dr for anyone who has earned a doctorate.

As a Dr, I don't go by "Mrs". No-one calls me "Mrs". It would be like those who are married being called "Miss", or someone that likes "Ms" being called "Miss". It's not exactly offensive, it's just noticeable.