Writing Wedding Invites: Saying 5:30 Correctly

When it comes to wedding invitations, the wording is important. While you can be flexible depending on the formality of your wedding, there are certain conventions to follow. For instance, if you're having a traditional wedding, it's best to write out times in full, such as half after four o'clock or half past four o'clock, rather than using numerals like 4:30 pm. However, if you're having a more casual celebration, it's acceptable to use numerals and write 4:30 pm or 4:30 in the afternoon.

Spell out the time in a traditional format, e.g. half after five o'clock

When writing out the time on a wedding invitation, it is best to consider the formality of the event. For more traditional or formal weddings, it is customary to write out the time in full with no numerals. For example, for a wedding beginning at 5:30 p.m., you would write "half after five o'clock" or "half past five o'clock". It is also acceptable to write "half past five" or "five-thirty", but using "o'clock" is generally preferred.

The time of day should also be included, and written in lowercase. For instance, "in the afternoon" or "in the evening". It is important to note that afternoon is considered to be from noon to 5:00 p.m., while evening begins at 5:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m., depending on the source.

For a less formal or more modern wedding, it is acceptable to write the time numerically, such as "5:30 p.m." or "5.30 p.m.". However, be sure to maintain consistency in the formatting of the date and time on the invitation. If you choose to write out the date in full, it is best to do the same for the time.

Ultimately, the choice of wording for the time on a wedding invitation depends on the level of formality and personal preference.

Use numerals for a more casual tone, e.g. 5:30 pm

When it comes to wedding invitations, the choice between writing out "5:30 pm" in numerals or spelling it out in words is largely dependent on the formality of your wedding and invitation.

Using numerals for the time, such as "5:30 pm", is generally more casual and modern. This style is a good fit if you're aiming for a relaxed and informal tone for your wedding invitation. It's also a practical option if you want to avoid potential confusion with spelling out the time in words and the various conventions around this.

For example, the traditional way to spell out "5:30 pm" is "half after five o'clock" or "half past five o'clock", without using "and". However, some sources suggest "half after five-thirty o'clock" or "five-thirty o'clock" as alternatives. It's worth noting that "half past" is more commonly used in British English, while "half after" is the traditional choice in American English.

Additionally, the use of "`o'clock` is optional but preferred by some. Including "in the afternoon" or "in the evening" is also optional and depends on the time of day. For instance, "in the evening" is typically used for events starting at 6 pm or later, while "in the afternoon" covers the hours from 12 pm to 5 pm.

In summary, if you want to achieve a more casual tone for your wedding invitation, using numerals for the time, such as "5:30 pm", is a perfectly valid option. This approach can simplify the wording and reduce potential confusion around spelling out the time in words and the associated etiquette.

Include in the morning, in the afternoon, or in the evening for clarity

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the goal is to provide your guests with clear information about when and where your wedding will take place. While wedding invitation etiquette does come into play here, you have options for how to specify the time. The level of formality of your wedding invitation wording will depend on the formality of your wedding. More formal, traditional invitations for black-tie weddings tend to use more conventional language, while casual invites can be more relaxed and informal.

If you are aiming for formal wedding invitation wording, you would traditionally write out the time in full, with no numerals. So, for a time like 5:30 pm, you would write this as "half after five o'clock" or "five-thirty". It is also acceptable to write this time as "half past five o'clock" or "half past five".

For formal invitations, you should also specify whether the time falls in the morning, afternoon, or evening. You can do this by writing "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening" after the time. For example, "half after five o'clock in the afternoon".

It is worth noting that formal wedding invitations traditionally say "half after" rather than "half past". Additionally, the time of day should be written in lowercase letters.

• You don't need to include these phrases for times that fall clearly within the morning or afternoon, such as 10:00 am or 2:00 pm.
• You also don't need to include them for times that are unambiguously evening times, such as 8:00 pm or 10:00 pm.
• However, if your wedding is scheduled for 8:00, 9:00, or 10:00, you should include "in the morning" or "in the evening" to avoid confusion.
• Any time after 5:00 pm is considered the evening, and times between noon and 4:30 pm are considered the afternoon.
• If your wedding is at 12:00 pm, simply write "noon" instead of "12:00 pm in the afternoon".

If you are having a more casual wedding, you can be more flexible with your invitation wording. For informal wedding invitations, it is common to write the time in numerals, such as "5:30 pm". You can also write this time as "5.30 pm" or "17:30". Just remember that the date and time should match in formality—don't write out the date fully and then use numerals for the time.

In summary, whether or not you include "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening" will depend on the formality of your wedding and the time of day. For formal invitations, it is best to include these phrases for times that could be ambiguous, such as 8:00, 9:00, or 10:00, or for times that fall between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm, where there is some debate about whether this is considered the afternoon or evening. For casual invitations, you have more flexibility, and you can choose to use numerals for the time or leave out the morning, afternoon, or evening specification altogether.

For a formal invitation, write out the date in full

When writing a formal wedding invitation, it's important to spell out the date in full. This means writing out the day, date, and year in letters, rather than using numerals. For example, if your wedding is on Saturday, 26 October 2024, you would write:

> Saturday, the twenty-sixth of October, two thousand twenty-four

Note that the day of the week and the month are capitalised, but the year is not. There is no "and" when spelling out the year, and you should avoid using punctuation unless it's absolutely necessary.

If your wedding falls between the 21st and 31st of the month, use a hyphen between the tens and the ones place in the date. For example:

> Saturday, the twenty-first of October, two thousand twenty-four

The traditional way to write out the year is "two thousand twenty-four", but you may also see it written as "two thousand and twenty-four". While it may be tempting to write "twenty twenty-four", this is not considered formal and should be avoided.

It's also worth mentioning that while it's not necessary to include the day of the week or the year, it is recommended, as it provides a clear guide for your guests.

Now, let's break down some additional tips for writing out the date and time together:

• If your wedding starts at 3:30 pm, you would write this as "half after three o'clock" or "half past three o'clock". Formal wedding invitations traditionally use the phrase "half after" instead of "half past".
• For times on the hour, simply write out the number and add "o'clock". For example, 4:00 pm would be "four o'clock".
• You don't need to specify "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening" unless there could be confusion about whether your wedding is in the morning or evening. For example, if your wedding is at 8, 9, or 10 am or pm.
• If your wedding is at noon, simply write "noon" instead of "12 o'clock" or "12:00 pm".
• For a more casual wedding invitation, you have more flexibility. You can write out the date numerically or use a combination of letters and numerals. For a 5:30 pm wedding, you could write: "Saturday, the fifth of October, two thousand twenty-four, 5:30 pm" or "Saturday, 5th of October, 2024, 5:30 pm".

Remember, the most important thing is to provide clear information to your guests so they can share your special day with you!

Abbreviate the date for a more informal style

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are many different ways to format the date and time. The style you choose will depend on the level of formality of your wedding.

If you're aiming for a more informal style, you can abbreviate the date on your wedding invitations. Here are some tips and examples to help you format an abbreviated date:

Day and Month

For an informal wedding invitation, you can write the day and month in a more concise format. Instead of spelling out the full day and month, you can use the following format:

"Sunday, May 4th, 2014" or "Sun., May 4, 2014". Using numerals for the day and adding "st", "nd", or "th" is a clear and simple way to convey the date.

Year

When it comes to the year, you have a few options to keep the style informal. You can write out the full year in numerals, like "2023" or "23". Alternatively, you can spell out the year in a more abbreviated manner, such as "'23" instead of "two thousand and twenty-three".

Combining the Date

Combining the above suggestions, you can format the date as "Sunday, May 4, '23" or "Sun., May 4th, 2023". This style strikes a balance between informality and clarity, ensuring your guests have all the necessary information.

Consistency

Remember to maintain consistency throughout your invitation suite. If you choose to abbreviate the date on the main invitation, carry this style over to any enclosures or RSVP cards. For example, on your RSVP card, you can use a similar format: "Please reply by May 17th."

Modern Design

If you're incorporating a modern design with large typography, geometric patterns, or unique shapes, abbreviation may be a stylish choice. In such cases, you can lean into a more contemporary feel without compromising on clarity.

In conclusion, when creating an informal wedding invitation, you can abbreviate the date using a combination of numerals and abbreviated spellings. This approach ensures your invitations are both functional and reflective of your unique style.

Frequently asked questions