Setting The Scene: Wedding Invitation Timing Etiquette

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's important to provide guests with clear information about the date and time of the ceremony to ensure they arrive on time. There are several ways to indicate the time of day on your invitations, depending on the level of formality you wish to convey. For traditional or formal invitations, it is customary to write out the time in full, using phrases such as half after three o'clock or simply three o'clock. In this case, you would also specify the time of day as in the morning, in the afternoon, or in the evening, though this is not necessary if your wedding is taking place after 5 pm, as this is considered the evening. Alternatively, for a more modern or casual approach, you may opt to use numerals and write the time as 4pm or 5:30pm. It is generally advised to avoid using abbreviations such as a.m. or p.m. and to refrain from writing twelve o'clock or four thirty when spelling out the time.

Spell out the time for formal invitations

When writing the time on a formal invitation, it is customary to follow specific style rules that are not necessary with informal invites. The time should be written out in full, with the phrase "o'clock" included. For example, an invitation might request your presence "at six o'clock in the evening".

If the event falls on the half-hour, a formal invitation phrases it as "...at half after six o'clock". The word "after" is more appropriate here than "past". If the event falls on the quarter-hour, the appropriate wording is, "One quarter after six o'clock" or "three quarters after six o'clock", with no hyphen between "three" and "quarters". Write twelve o'clock rather than noon or midnight, though you may indicate that the event starts in the afternoon along with the time.

You should also specify whether the event takes place in the morning, evening, or afternoon. Traditionally, morning includes all hours between midnight and 11:59 a.m., afternoon begins at noon and lasts until 5:59 p.m., and evening starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 11:59 p.m.

> Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dashwood

>

> cordially request the honour of your presence

>

> at the wedding of their daughter, Elinor Dashwood

>

> Mr. George Knightley

>

> on Saturday, the tenth of October

>

> at five o'clock in the afternoon.

Note that the time of day is generally indicated on the last line.

Write the time as the placement of hands on a clock

When writing the time on a wedding invitation, it is recommended that you write out the time in full, with no numerals. For example, if your wedding begins at 3:30 p.m., you would write "half after three o'clock". If the time is on the hour, you would write "four o'clock".

For formal invitations, it is customary to spell out the time of day rather than using a.m. or p.m. Instead, you would write "in the morning" for hours before 11:00 a.m., "in the afternoon" for hours from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and "in the evening" for hours after 5:00 p.m. For noon, simply write "noon".

There are other ways to write the time on your wedding invitations, particularly if you're hosting a more casual event. If you're writing the date informally, you can also write the time as "4pm" or "5:30pm". 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.

Use numerals for casual invites

If you're having a casual wedding, you can use numerals when writing the time on your wedding invitations. This is also a good option if you're short on space or want to match the date and time in terms of formality.

"Jack Alexander Smith & Mason Jacob Kim invite you to share in their joy at their wedding, Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 p.m., [venue name and address]. Reception to follow."

"Olivia Rose Smith and John Michael Reyes, together with their parents Kenzie and Jennifer Smith and Mark and Sally Reyes, invite you to their wedding, Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 p.m., [venue name and address]. Reception to follow."

"Jack Smith & Mason Kim, together with their parents, invite you as they say 'I do', Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 p.m., [venue name and address]. Party to follow."

When using numerals for the time, be sure to use a legible font to avoid any confusion. For example, a "2" that looks like a "5" could leave your guests unsure about the correct time.

Remember, the most important thing is to provide clear information for your guests so they know when and where to show up for your big day!

Include the time of day

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

If you're aiming for a formal invitation, you should write out the time in full, with no numerals. For example, if your wedding begins at 3:30 p.m., you would write this as "half after three o'clock". If your wedding starts at 4 p.m., you would write this as "four o'clock". If your wedding starts on the hour, you should write “o'clock” after the hour, e.g. "two o'clock".

You should also spell out the time of day rather than using a.m. or p.m. For example, if your wedding starts at 11 a.m., you would write "eleven o'clock in the morning". For weddings starting at 3 p.m., you would write "three o'clock in the afternoon". For weddings at 8 p.m., you would write "eight o'clock in the evening".

If you're hosting a more casual wedding, you can be more relaxed and informal with how you write the time. For example, if your wedding is at 4 p.m., you could write "4pm" or "four pm".

Add the time to the bottom of the invite

When it comes to wedding invitations, the time should be placed at the bottom of the invite, along with the location and reception details. This is the standard format for wedding invitations, and it helps guests know when and where the wedding will take place.

• Spell out the time: For formal invitations, it is customary to spell out the time in full, using words like "o'clock" or "half after." For example, if your wedding starts at 3:30 pm, you would write "half after three o'clock." This format adds a touch of elegance and formality to your invitation.
• Indicate the time of day: Specify whether the wedding will take place "in the morning," "in the afternoon," or "in the evening." You can also use "noon" for 12:00 pm. This helps guests understand the timing clearly and plan their day accordingly.
• Consistency is key: Ensure that the format of the time matches the style of your invitation. If you're having a formal wedding, stick to spelling out the time in full. For casual weddings, you can use numerals, such as "4pm" or "5:30pm." Consistency in the level of formality between the time and the rest of the invitation is essential.
• Consider the reception timing: If your reception follows immediately after the ceremony in the same location, you can simply add "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 starts a few hours later, include a separate reception card with the timing and location details.
• Avoid overcrowding: While it's essential to provide the time and location information, avoid overcrowding your invitation with too many details. You don't want your guests to miss important information or feel overwhelmed. Insert cards or a separate details card can be useful for providing additional information while keeping the invitation elegant and easy to read.
• Proofread and edit: Finally, don't forget to proofread your invitation, including the time details. A fresh pair of eyes can help catch any errors or inconsistencies. Ask a friend or family member to review the invitation before sending it to print.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively and elegantly add the time to the bottom of your wedding invitation, providing your guests with clear and consistent information about your special day.

Frequently asked questions