When To Include Timing Details On Your Wedding Invites

When it comes to wedding invites, timing is everything. It's important to give your guests enough information so that they know when and where your big day will take place—and arrive on time. While wedding invitation etiquette does come into play here, you do have options for how to present the time. For more traditional invitations, you would write out the time fully, with no numerals. For example, if your wedding begins at 3:30 pm, you would write half after three o'clock. For more casual invites, you can write the time as 3:30 pm.

If your wedding has multiple events, you may want to include separate start times for the ceremony and the reception. Typically, the main wedding invitation only includes the date and time of the ceremony, with a simple reception to follow if it's at the same location. However, if the reception is at a different location or several hours later, it's best to include a separate reception card.

While it's not necessary to include the end time on the invitation, you can include this information on your wedding website. It's also not uncommon to put an earlier start time on the invite to ensure guests arrive on time. However, it's recommended to pad the time by no more than 15 minutes, so your punctual guests don't have to wait too long.

How to Write the Date and Time

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the goal is to provide guests with enough information to know when and where the wedding will take place. Here is a guide on how to write the date and time:

The Date

The traditional way to write the date is to spell it out completely, rather than using numerals. For example, if the wedding is on Saturday, October 26, 2024, the invitation would read:

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

• The day of the week is capitalized (unless the wedding invitation's font is all uppercase or lowercase).
• There should be a comma between the day of the week and the date.
• If the date falls between the 21st and 31st of a month, use a hyphen between the tens and ones place.
• The month is capitalized and written out fully, without abbreviations.
• The year is usually on a separate line from the day and month, though the format may vary depending on the invitation style. There is no comma between the month and year, and a hyphen is used between "two thousand" but not between the tens and ones in the year.

It is recommended to include the day of the week and the year to provide more context for guests. However, if the couple is hosting a more casual wedding, they can write out the date more informally. For example:

> Saturday, May 17, 2025

Alternatively, numerals can be used as a design choice, such as:

> Saturday, 8/15/2026

Try to maintain consistency with the date formatting on any enclosures in the wedding invitation suite, including the response card.

The Time

There are several ways to write the time of day on invitations. For traditional wedding invitations, the time is written out in full, without numerals. For example, if the wedding begins at 3:30 p.m., the invitation would state:

> at half after three o'clock

If the time is on the hour, the invitation would simply state:

> at three o'clock

Formal wedding invitations traditionally use the phrase "half after" (instead of "half past") for times on the half-hour. The time should be written in lowercase letters.

It is not necessary to specify "in the morning," "in the afternoon," or "in the evening" unless the wedding is scheduled between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., where there could be confusion. Any time after 5 p.m. is considered evening, and between noon and 4:30 p.m. is the afternoon. If the wedding is at noon, simply write "noon."

For a more casual event, the time can be written informally, such as "4pm" or "5:30pm." Just remember that the date and time should match in formality. The layout of the invitations may also influence the time format.

Providing Additional Time Details

Some couples opt to print an earlier start time on their invitations to ensure guests arrive on time. For example, if the ceremony starts at 5:00 p.m., the invitation may state 4:45 p.m. or 5:15 p.m. However, it is generally not recommended to pad the time by more than 15 minutes to avoid guests waiting too long.

To manage guest arrivals effectively, some invitations include phrases like "doors open at [time]," "seating begins at [time]," or "please arrive by [time]." This provides a clear indication of when guests should plan to be at the venue and helps set expectations.

Cultural Considerations

It is important to consider cultural norms when determining the invitation time. In some cultures, it is customary for guests to arrive early, while in others, guests may arrive up to an hour late. Adjusting the invitation time accordingly can help accommodate these differences and ensure a timely start to the ceremony.

The Importance of Sending Invites at the Right Time

Sending out wedding invites at the right time is crucial to ensure your guests have all the information they need to plan for and attend your big day. It's important to give your loved ones enough notice to take time off work, book accommodations, and make travel arrangements. Here are some tips to help you send out your invitations at the right time:

Determine the Right Timing

The ideal time to send out wedding invitations is around six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements. If your wedding is around a major holiday, such as Christmas, it's a good idea to send out invitations earlier, around three months in advance, to allow guests to plan their holidays. For destination weddings or weddings with many out-of-town guests, it's customary to send invitations eight weeks in advance to give them ample time to plan their travel.

Include the Right Information

When it comes to the content of your invitations, it's essential to include the date, time, and location of the ceremony. The traditional way to write the date is to spell it out completely, while the time is typically written out in full with no numerals for more formal invitations. For casual weddings, you can use more informal wording, such as writing out the date numerically. It's also a good idea to include a separate reception card if the reception is at a different location or several hours after the ceremony.

Be Mindful of Cultural Differences

It's important to consider cultural differences when deciding on the timing of your invitations. In some cultures, it is customary for guests to arrive early, while in others, guests may arrive hours late. Be sure to take these differences into account when deciding on the start time of your ceremony and the timing of your invitations.

Send Save-the-Dates

Sending out save-the-dates is a fun way to give your guests a timely heads-up about your wedding plans. They are especially helpful for destination weddings or when many guests need to make travel arrangements. Save-the-dates are typically sent out four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier for destination weddings.

Request RSVPs at the Right Time

It's important to set an RSVP date that gives you enough time to finalize your guest list and provide a final headcount to your caterer. The RSVP date should be at least two to three weeks before the wedding, with some couples preferring a timeframe of three to six weeks. This allows for enough wiggle room to chase up any guests who haven't responded by the deadline.

In conclusion, sending out wedding invitations at the right time is crucial to ensure your guests have all the information they need and can plan accordingly. By following these tips, you can ensure your invitations are sent out in a timely and thoughtful manner.

What Time to Put on the Invite

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 and arrive on time. While wedding invitation etiquette does come into play, there are options when it comes to the exact wording. The wording can depend on the formality of the wedding and invitation. More formal invitations for black-tie weddings include more traditional language, while casual invites can be more relaxed and informal.

For more traditional wedding invitations, the time is written out fully, with no numerals. For example, if the wedding begins at 3:30 p.m., the invitation would say: "at half after three o'clock". If the time is on the hour, it would be written as: "three o'clock". The time should be written in all lowercase letters.

For casual wedding invitations, the time can be written more informally, such as "4pm" or "5:30pm". It is important to maintain consistency with the date formatting on any enclosures in the wedding invitation suite, including the response card.

It is generally recommended to call the wedding for at least 30 minutes before the desired start time to allow guests to arrive and be seated. This also gives purpose to the time before the ceremony, perhaps with a photo area or the signing of a guest book.

Some couples opt to print an earlier start time on their invitations to avoid late arrivals. However, it is generally not recommended to pad the time by more than 15 minutes, as on-time guests may become bored and think the couple is running late.

To address this issue, some couples choose to include the time that doors will open for seating, or specify a time for guests to arrive and be seated before the ceremony begins. For example: "Doors open at 5:15pm, ceremony begins promptly at 6pm". This approach ensures that guests are not kept waiting and that the couple does not feel pressured to start late.

Ultimately, the decision of what time to put on the wedding invitation depends on personal preference and the cultural context.

How to Avoid Guests Being Late

It is important to include the time on your wedding invitations to ensure your guests have all the information they need to plan for and arrive at your wedding on time. Here are some tips to avoid guests being late:

• Send invitations early: While the standard timeline for sending wedding invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding, sending them out three months in advance is not too early, especially for destination weddings or weddings around major holidays. This gives guests, especially those travelling from overseas, enough time to make travel arrangements and book accommodations.
• Include an earlier arrival time: To ensure guests arrive on time, it is common to include an earlier arrival time on the invitation, usually 30 minutes before the actual ceremony start time. For example, "Doors open at 5:30 pm, ceremony begins promptly at 6:00 pm". This gives guests a buffer and accounts for any travel delays or unexpected issues.
• Be clear and specific: State the start time clearly and specifically on the invitation. For example, instead of just writing "4:00 pm", write it out in full as "four o'clock in the afternoon". This ensures there is no confusion, and guests know exactly when to arrive.
• Provide separate arrival and start times: If your ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can include separate arrival and start times on the invitation, such as "Arrival at 3:30 pm, ceremony at 4:00 pm". This helps set clear expectations for your guests and avoids any confusion.
• Offer pre-ceremony activities: If guests are arriving early, it is a good idea to have some pre-ceremony activities to keep them occupied. This could include serving drinks and snacks, setting up a photo area, or providing a guest book for them to sign. This ensures guests don't get bored while waiting and helps to fill the time before the ceremony intentionally.
• Communicate through other channels: In addition to the invitations, you can communicate timing details through other channels, such as your wedding website or by word of mouth. This helps reinforce the timing information and ensures that guests are aware of any important timing considerations.

Remember, it is important to be considerate of your guests' time and provide clear and accurate information. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your guests arrive on time and your wedding ceremony can start as planned.

How to List Separate Start Times

If your wedding ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply write "reception to follow" or "dinner and dancing to follow" at the bottom of the invitation. However, if the reception is at a different venue or is not immediately following the ceremony, it is best to include a separate reception card as part of your invitation suite to share all of the details.

> Reception immediately following the ceremony

> Dinner and dancing to follow

> Cake, punch, and merriment to follow (if you’re not serving a full meal)

> Feasting and merriment to follow

> Dining, dancing, and happily ever after to follow

> Please join us for a reception at six o'clock in the evening. JW Marriott Houston Downtown 806 Main Street Houston, Texas

> Please join us after the ceremony for dinner and dancing. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. The Foundry at Herban Feast 4136 First Avenue South Seattle, Washington

If you have a jam-packed wedding weekend with multiple events, it is a good idea to have separate itinerary cards with the respective date, time, and location of each event. These can be sent out with your wedding invitations or included in wedding welcome bags.

Frequently asked questions