Re: A question about salutations If you wish to use the "modern style" and dispense with all formality, then leave the Doe-Smith off the salutation, too! Otherwise, you imply that John's name is John Doe-Smith.
Dear John and Jane.
A sidebar: My son, call him Jason Smith, got married one day while he was angry at me for divorcing his mother, and took his wife's name in marriage (call her Rhonda Doe), this "disowning" me and my name. So, now he's legally Jason Doe. Of course, this irritates me no end, although we have reconciled long ago (had dinner with them last night, in fact), but it remains a legal fact.
So, when I address an envelope to them, it is always to: Jason & Rhonda Doe. I avoid, this way, of having to directly write Mr & Mrs Doe, or Jason Doe.
Of course, it also sidesteps the other awkward question, as Rhonda is a PhD, and should therefore formally be addressed as Dr. Rhonda Doe. So would it properly be addressed to
Mr & Dr Jason Doe?
Mr Jason and Dr Rhonda Doe?
Dr Rhonda and Mr Jason Doe?
I have a client that I do have to reference frequently in writing, and his first name is Wallace (which is easily confused for a last name). His wife is The Honourable Mary. Same last name (call it Smith). And since I'm usually referencing them when I need special attention, it is always important for me to use that Honourable stuff.
So when I reference them, it's "Mr Wallace and The Honourable Mary Smith" - and it looks like his last name is Wallace (when indeed it is Smith). |