Q+A: How Do You Write The Last Name of Newlyweds?
Welcome to our wedding Q+A series. From wedding etiquette and vendor needs to guest experience and design advice, we’re here to teach you more about the wedding planning process and inform you of best practices.
Q: “How do you write the last name of a newly married couple? Is there an apostrophe?”
A: Simply add an “S” to make it “The Names.” (Scroll below for 1 minor exception…)
Because there is more than one person you are referring to, you make the last name plural by adding an “S”. When a couple gets married and chooses to share the same last name, together they are referred to as “The Smiths” or “The Nelsons” or “The Hansens” or “The Davenports”.
WHAT IF THE LAST NAME ALREADY ENDS IN an S?
Depending on the spelling of the last name, you will sometimes need to add “es” to pluralize the last name. For example, when the last name ends in S, X, or Z, you must use “es” for the plural of the last name. A couple with the last name James becomes “the Jameses” or a couple with the last name Lopez becomes “the Lopezes.”
Do the same if the name ends in a “ch” or “sh” sound. For example, “the Frenches” or “the Walshes.”
A correctly spelled neon sign // Lily Brundin Photography
Notice how all of these examples are simply adding “S” or “ES”? There is no apostrophe!
When you add an apostrophe to a last name, that makes it a possessive noun. I know, this gets confusing. Essentially, an apostrophe is only used to convey ownership of something — “The party is at the Joneses’ house” or “We went to the Hamiltons’ wedding”. When you are just using the name in reference to the couple, those two people are The Lastnames. You do NOT use an apostrophe.
Far too many times we see guests address a card to “The Johnson’s” or worse, couples order a custom cake topper or neon sign that says “The Kennedy’s”. This is incorrect grammar, and you look silly! Please just ask your wedding planner to double-check before you order any custom signage or wedding decor. We are happy to help!
Marquee letters of the couple’s last name — no apostrophe! // Rachel Traxler Photography
HappiLily Events plans crazy-fun weddings for couples in Minnesota and Wisconsin. We specialize in making each wedding day as unique as it is memorable with thoughtful details and personal touches.
Whether you dream of getting married in a modern downtown venue, a romantic barn, or celebrating in your backyard, HappiLily Events is here to support you through the entire planning process.
