Ensuring Timely Arrivals: Strict Timing On Wedding Invitations

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's important to provide guests with clear information about the date and time of the event to ensure they arrive on time. While the level of formality and specific wording can vary depending on the style of your wedding, there are a few key guidelines to follow when indicating the time. Firstly, avoid using abbreviations for the day and time. Write out the day, date, and time in full, using lowercase for the time. For example, Saturday, the first of September, at three o'clock in the afternoon. If your wedding is more casual, you can use a combination of numerical and written dates, such as Saturday, June 21st, 2025, at 4pm. It's also worth noting that you don't need to include in the morning, in the afternoon, or in the evening unless the wedding is scheduled for 8, 9, or 10 o'clock, where there could be confusion.

Spell out the time

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's important to provide your guests with clear information about when and where your wedding will take place, so they can show up on time. Here are some tips to help you spell out the time on your wedding invitations:

It is generally recommended to write out the time in full for formal wedding invitations, without using numerals. For example, if your wedding begins at 3:30 p.m., you would write "at half after three o'clock" or "at three thirty in the afternoon". Using phrases like "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening" can provide clarity, especially for times between 8 and 10 a.m. or p.m., where there could be confusion. However, these phrases are not necessary for times that are clearly in the morning or evening. For noon, simply write "noon".

Capitalization and Abbreviations

When spelling out the time, avoid capitalizing any part of it. The only punctuation mark you need is an apostrophe in "o'clock". For times that are not on the hour, use hyphens, for example, "two-thirty" instead of "two thirty".

Formal vs. Casual Wording

The wording you choose for the time on your wedding invitations should match the formality of your wedding and the overall tone of the invitation. More formal, traditional invitations for black-tie weddings call for more elegant, traditional language. For example, formal invitations would use "half after" for times on the half-hour, rather than "half past". On the other hand, casual invitations can be more relaxed and informal in their wording.

Consistency

Remember to maintain consistency in the formatting of the time and date on your wedding invitations and any enclosures or accessory cards. For example, if you write out the time in full, also spell out the date completely. If you use numerals for the time, use a numerical date. This helps to ensure a cohesive and elegant look for your wedding stationery.

Include reception details

The reception details can be included on the main invitation, or on a separate card. If the ceremony and reception are held in the same location, you can write "and afterward at the reception" or "reception immediately following". If the reception is held elsewhere, include the location on a different line.

If the reception is not immediately following the ceremony, include the time. For example: "Cocktails, dinner, and dancing beginning at six o'clock in the evening".

If the reception is at a different venue, you can include the location beneath the ceremony details or on a separate reception card. If there is a significant gap between the ceremony and reception, it is best to include a separate reception card as part of your invitation suite to share all the details.

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

If the reception is at the same venue but several hours after the ceremony, you can include this information on a separate card. Here is an example:

> 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 the reception is at a different venue, you can include the location on the same line as the time. Here is an example:

> Dinner and dancing at half past six o'clock, The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek, Colorado.

Be consistent with date formatting

Consistency is key when it comes to date formatting on your wedding invitations. This ensures a polished and cohesive look for your wedding stationery, and also makes it easy for your guests to find the information they need at a glance. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Traditional Wedding Invitation Formatting

The traditional way to write the date on a wedding invitation is to spell out the day of the week, followed by the date itself, and then the year on a separate line. For example:

> 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 it. If your wedding falls between the 21st and 31st of the month, use a hyphen between the tens and ones digits of the date. The month should be capitalised and written out in full.

The year is usually on a separate line, with no comma between the month and the year. There should be no hyphen between "two thousand", but there should be a hyphen between the tens and ones digits of the year.

Casual Wedding Invitation Formatting

If you're having a more casual wedding, you can write the date in a more informal style. For example:

> Saturday, May seventeenth, two thousand twenty-five

Here, you can use numerals for the date and year, and you don't need to include the day of the week. This style may also be used on save-the-date cards.

Consistency Across Enclosures

Try to be consistent with date formatting across your entire wedding invitation suite, including any response cards. For example, if you're using traditional formatting and your RSVP deadline is April 17th, write it as:

> Kindly respond by the seventeenth of April

You could also be more informal on the RSVP card, using language such as:

> Please reply by April 17th

Time Formatting

As with dates, there are different options for formatting the time on your wedding invitations. For traditional invitations, write out the time in full, without numerals. For example, if your wedding begins at 3:30 pm, write it as:

> at half after three o'clock

Or, for a time on the hour:

> at three o'clock

The time should be written in lowercase, and you don't need to specify "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening" unless there could be confusion over whether it's morning or evening (for times between 8 and 10 am or pm).

For a more casual wedding, you can write the time in numerals, like "4pm" or "5:30pm". Just remember to match the formality of the time with that of the date—don't write out the date in full and then use numerals for the time.

Additional Tips

• If your reception follows immediately after the ceremony in the same location, simply write "Reception to follow" on the invitation.
• If the reception is several hours after the ceremony or in a different location, include a separate reception card with the details.
• Traditionally, the end time of the ceremony and reception is not included on the wedding stationery, but you can include this information on your wedding website if needed.
• To avoid late guests, some couples print an earlier start time on their invitations (no more than 15 minutes earlier). However, this is not recommended as your on-time guests may get bored waiting for the ceremony to begin.

Include RSVP deadlines

When it comes to wedding planning, one of the most important things to get right is the guest list. To ensure that you can lock in your guest count and finalise your seating chart, it is crucial to set an RSVP deadline and include it on your wedding invitations and wedding website. Here are some tips on how to include RSVP deadlines in your wedding invitations:

Set the Right RSVP Date

It is recommended that your wedding RSVPs should be due at least three to four weeks before the wedding, with the absolute latest being two weeks before the big day. This gives you enough time to organise your final guest list and reach out to those who have not yet responded.

Mail Invitations with Plenty of Time

Traditionally, wedding invitations are sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. Sending your invitations within this timeframe allows your guests to make travel arrangements if needed and gives them a month to respond to your RSVP.

Make it Easy for Your Guests to Respond

To ensure timely responses, include a pre-addressed and pre-stamped return envelope within your invitation suite. You can also give your guests the option to respond digitally through your wedding website, especially if they are less likely to use snail mail.

Be Clear with the Wording

Instead of simply writing "RSVP", consider using wording such as, "The favour of your reply is requested by [insert date]". This makes it crystal clear that a response is needed and by when.

Provide an Engaging Call to Action

You can encourage your guests to respond on time by including an engaging call to action or participation factor on the response card. For example, "RSVP with a song that will keep you on the dance floor" or "RSVP with your favourite memory of the bride and groom".

Follow Up with Guests Who Haven't Responded

If your wedding RSVP deadline has passed, wait about a week before sending friendly reminders to guests who haven't responded. You can give them a quick call or send a text to politely nudge them. It is best to follow up with all guests who haven't RSVP'd at least two weeks before the wedding.

Avoid unnecessary details

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's important to provide your guests with all the information they need to know, such as the date, time, and location of the ceremony and reception. However, it's also important to avoid overcrowding your invitations with unnecessary details. Here are some tips to help you focus on including only the essential information:

• Omit the reception end time: Traditionally, the end time is not included on wedding invitations. Guests can usually gauge the duration of the event based on the start time. If you're concerned about guests leaving early or wanting to provide a more detailed timeline, consider including a program or itinerary for the day of the wedding.
• Keep the wording concise: When providing details about the time and date, stick to clear and concise wording. Avoid unnecessary flourishes or complicated phrases. For example, simply state "Reception to follow" instead of "Dinner and dancing to follow the ceremony."
• Avoid unnecessary punctuation: Punctuation marks like commas and periods should not be used at the end of lines in your invitation wording. Keep the punctuation simple and straightforward.
• Focus on key information: While it's important to include the date and time, you don't need to provide every detail on the invitation itself. For example, if your wedding is black-tie, include the dress code, but for other details like travel information or wedding website URLs, consider including them on a separate insert or details card.
• Be consistent: Ensure that the formatting and style of the date and time are consistent with the rest of your invitation suite. For example, if you write out the date in full, do the same for the time (e.g., "half after three o'clock").
• Provide key dates in advance: While your invitations should include the wedding date and time, other important dates like the RSVP deadline or save-the-date can be communicated in advance through separate cards or your wedding website.

Remember, the goal is to provide your guests with the essential information they need to attend your wedding while keeping the invitations elegant and uncluttered. Focus on clarity and consistency, and don't be afraid to use additional cards or your wedding website to provide supplementary details.

Frequently asked questions