Wedding Invitation Etiquette: Hyphenating Dates And Times

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the goal is to provide guests with clear information about when and where the wedding will take place. The traditional way to write the date is to spell it out completely, with the day of the week, date, and year on separate lines. For example, Saturday, the twenty-sixth of October, two thousand twenty-four. If the date falls between the 21st and 31st of a month, a hyphen is included between the tens and ones place in the date. While this traditional format is common for formal invitations, casual invites can be more relaxed and informal, with options to use numerals or a combination of numerals and words.

Dates should be written out in full

When it comes to wedding invitations, dates should be written out in full. This is the traditional way to write the date and is the best option for formal weddings. For a wedding taking place on Saturday, October 26th, 2024, the date would be written as:

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

The day of the week should be capitalised, and there should be a comma after the day of the week, and after the date, before the year. If the date falls between the 21st and 31st of the month, there should be a hyphen between the tens and ones place in the date. The month is always written out in full and capitalised, and there is no comma between the month and the year.

For a less formal wedding, you can be more flexible with the date format. For example, for a wedding on Sunday, May 17th, 2025, you could write:

> Sunday, May 17th, 2025

Or, if you prefer, you can use numerals for the date and write it as:

> Sunday, 5/17/2025

However, it is important to maintain consistency in the formatting of the date and time across the invitation and any enclosures, such as RSVP cards. For example, if you use the traditional wording for the date, you would write the RSVP date in the same way:

> Kindly respond by the seventeenth of April

Writing out the date in full helps to ensure clarity and avoid any potential confusion or mistakes. It also adds a touch of elegance and formality to the invitation, setting the tone for the wedding.

Times should be written out in full

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the goal is to provide guests with enough information so that they know when and where the wedding will take place. A key part of this is clearly printing the date and time of the wedding day.

The traditional way to write the time on wedding invitations is to spell it out completely, with no numerals. For example, if your wedding begins at 3:30 p.m., you would write "half after three o'clock" or "half past three o'clock". If the time is on the hour, you would write "three o'clock". The time should be written in lowercase letters, and you should not write "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening" unless the wedding is scheduled for 8, 9, or 10 a.m. or p.m. where there could be confusion over whether it is morning or evening.

Evening begins at 5 p.m., and any time between noon and 4:30 p.m. is considered the afternoon. If your wedding is at 12 p.m., simply write "noon". For a less formal wedding, you can write the time as "3:00 p.m." or "3:30 p.m." but remember that the date and time should match in formality.

If the wedding reception is at a different time and/or location to the ceremony, it is best to include a separate reception card as part of the invitation suite to share these details.

When writing out times on the half-hour, formal wedding invitations traditionally say "half after" (not "half past").

Dates and times should match in formality

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the date and time are crucial elements that require careful consideration. Here are some instructive guidelines to ensure that the date and time on your wedding invitations match in formality:

Spell Out the Date and Time for Formality

For a formal invitation, it is customary to spell out the date and time in full rather than using numerals. This adds a touch of elegance and ensures clarity for your guests. Here's how you might format it:

> Friday, the twenty-ninth of April, two thousand and eighteen, at seven o'clock in the evening

Note that the day of the week and the date are separated by a comma, and there is no hyphen between "two thousand" in the year. The time is written as "seven o'clock" and followed by "in the evening" to indicate the time of day.

Capitalization and Punctuation

When writing out the date and time, pay attention to capitalization and punctuation. Proper names of days and months should be capitalised, while numbers and time indicators such as "o'clock" should be in lowercase. For example:

> Sunday, the Twelfth of December, Two Thousand and Twenty-Two, at Half Past Six o'clock in the Evening

In this example, the day and month are capitalised, and the time is written as "half past six o'clock". The "t" in "Two" is also capitalised when spelling out the year.

Consistency in Formality

While it is recommended to spell out the date and time for formal invitations, you may opt for a more casual approach if your wedding is less formal. However, it is important to maintain consistency in the level of formality between the date and time. For instance, if you choose to write the date in numerals, the time should also be in numerals. Here's an example:

> Saturday, 08.24.2024, 5:30pm

In this case, both the date and time are presented in a concise, modern format.

Providing Essential Information

Regardless of the level of formality, ensure that your wedding invitations include all the essential information. This typically includes the day of the week, the date, the year, and the time of the ceremony. For example:

> Friday, May Eleventh, Two Thousand and Twenty-Three, at Five o'clock in the Afternoon

By including all the necessary details, your guests will have a clear understanding of when your special day will take place.

Proofreading and Consistency

Lastly, don't underestimate the importance of proofreading. Ask friends or family members to review your invitation wording to catch any errors or inconsistencies. Pay close attention to punctuation, capitalisation, and spelling. This attention to detail will ensure your invitations convey the desired tone and level of formality.

Abbreviations are generally avoided in invitations

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's important to provide clear and correct information to your guests. While there is some flexibility in the wording and format, there are certain etiquette rules to follow, especially when it comes to abbreviations. Here are some guidelines to help you navigate when and when not to use abbreviations in your wedding invitations:

Formality of the Event

The formality of your wedding plays a significant role in determining the use of abbreviations. If you're having a formal or semi-formal event, it's best to avoid abbreviating words in your invitations. This means writing out dates using words instead of numbers, such as "the first of December, two thousand eighteen" instead of "December 1, 2018." The same principle applies to times; instead of "3 p.m.", you would write "three o'clock in the afternoon."

Honourifics and Addresses

While avoiding abbreviations is recommended, there are a few exceptions. Honorifics such as "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Ms.", "Dr.", and military ranks can be abbreviated. Additionally, "St." or "Sts." can be used for "Saint" or "Saints". When it comes to addresses, street names, addresses, and states should be written out in full. For example, "Pennsylvania" should be written as "Pennsylvania" instead of "PA", and "Street" should be spelled out instead of using "St.".

Numerical Time and Dates

When indicating time, it's essential to differentiate between invitations and accessory cards. On invitations, time should be spelled out, while accessory cards can use numerals. For example, "three o'clock in the afternoon" on the invitation and "3:00 p.m." on the accessory card. When it comes to dates, there is flexibility. You can choose to spell out the date, use a numerical date, or abbreviate it on accessory cards. However, on the invitations themselves, it is best to spell out the date in full.

Modern Design and Informal Weddings

While the general rule is to avoid abbreviations, there is a loophole for modern designs and informal weddings. If you're incorporating a contemporary aesthetic with large typography, geometric patterns, or unique shapes, abbreviations might be necessary for design purposes. Similarly, if you're having a very informal wedding, you have more flexibility with abbreviations and can opt for a more relaxed tone in your invitations.

Consistency and Proofreading

Regardless of the style you choose, consistency is key. Ensure that the format of dates and times is consistent throughout your invitation suite, including any enclosures or RSVP cards. Additionally, don't forget to proofread your invitations carefully. Pay attention to spelling, grammar, and punctuation to ensure your invitations are both correct and visually appealing.

The time of day should be included

When it comes to wedding invitations, it is crucial to provide clear information about the date and time of the event to ensure your guests' punctual attendance. Here are some guidelines to help you include the time of day effectively:

Spell Out the Time

According to traditional wedding invitation etiquette, it is customary to spell out the time of day in full rather than using numerals. For instance, if your wedding is at 3:30 p.m., the invitation would read, "at half after three o'clock." Including "a.m." or "p.m." is optional. This approach adds a touch of formality and elegance to your invitation.

On-the-Hour and Off-the-Hour Times

When your wedding is on the hour, such as at 3:00 p.m., simply write "three o'clock." However, if your wedding is at 3:30 p.m., you would express this as "half after three o'clock." Formal invitations traditionally use the phrase "half after" instead of "half past."

O'Clock or No O'Clock?

When expressing time on the hour, it is customary to include "o'clock" after the number. However, for times that are not on the hour, you can choose to omit "o'clock." For example, "five o'clock" versus "half after five."

Hyphenating Off-the-Hour Times

When dealing with off-the-hour times, it is standard practice to hyphenate the time. For example, instead of writing "two thirty," the preferred format is "two-thirty." This style of expression adds clarity and precision to your invitation.

Specifying the Time of Day

To avoid any ambiguity, it is essential to specify the time of day. You can choose to include phrases like "in the morning," "in the afternoon," or "in the evening." For instance, "at four o'clock in the afternoon." However, if your wedding is at noon, simply write "noon."

Evening Timeframe

It is worth noting that the evening timeframe typically refers to the period after 5:00 p.m. So, if your wedding is at 5:00 p.m., it would be considered the evening, and you would express this as "five o'clock in the evening."

Consistency in Formality

Ensure that the format of the time of day aligns with the overall formality of your wedding and invitation. If you opt for a traditional, formal invitation, maintain this style throughout. Conversely, if you're having a more casual event, feel free to use numerals, such as "4pm" or "5:30pm."

Frequently asked questions