Planning A 5 Pm Wedding: The Invitation Wording Guide

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are many different ways to specify the time. While some people opt for a traditional approach, others prefer a more modern or casual style. For instance, if you're aiming for a formal invitation, it's best to write out the time in words rather than using numerals, such as five o'clock in the afternoon for a 5 pm wedding. However, if you're having a more relaxed celebration, you might choose to use numerals like 5pm or 17:00. Ultimately, the choice depends on your preference and the style of your wedding.

For formal invites, write out the time in words

For wedding invitations, it is important to convey the timing of the event clearly and accurately. When it comes to formal invites, a more traditional and worded approach is often taken. To maintain a sense of elegance and formality, you would write out the time in words, rather than using numbers or abbreviations. For a 5 pm wedding, you could write: "The wedding ceremony will commence at five o'clock in the afternoon". This format is timeless and provides an air of sophistication to your invitation. It also leaves no room for ambiguity, ensuring your guests are aware of the exact timing.

Another option is to incorporate the time into a sentence, providing a more descriptive and narrative feel to your invitation. For instance, "As the sun begins its descent, we invite you to join us at five o'clock in the evening to witness the union of..." This approach adds a poetic touch and can be a beautiful way to set the tone for your wedding, especially if you are aiming for a more romantic or whimsical atmosphere.

If you prefer a more concise wording, you could simply state: "The celebration of love will begin at five o'clock" or "Join us at five o'clock for an evening of joy as we exchange our vows". These wordings elegantly convey the timing while keeping the focus on the celebration and the significance of the hour.

For a more traditional and formal approach, you might consider wording such as: "The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of [names], to be held on [date] at five o'clock in the afternoon". This format emphasizes the importance and solemnity of the occasion, making it a perfect choice for a classic wedding invitation.

Remember, when writing out the time in words, consistency is key. Ensure that the wording and format you choose align with the overall tone and style of your invitation suite to create a cohesive and elegant impression.

Include o'clock when writing the time

When writing the time on a wedding invitation, there are a few different ways to format it. The choice of format often depends on the level of formality of the wedding. For a traditional or formal wedding invitation, it is customary to write out the time in full, using words instead of numerals. For example, for a wedding starting at 5 pm, you would write this as "five o'clock".

Including "o'clock" is the traditional way to write the time on an invitation. However, some sources suggest that it is acceptable to drop "o'clock" when referring to times that are on the half-hour, such as 5:30 pm. In this case, you would write "half after five". It is also considered more formal to write "half after" instead of "half past".

If your wedding is more casual, you can be more relaxed and informal with the wording. For example, you could write the time as "5pm" or "5:30 pm". However, it is important to maintain consistency in the formatting of the date and time. For instance, if you write out the date in full, you should also write out the time in full.

In addition to the time, it is customary to include the time of day, such as "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening". Any time after 5 pm is considered the evening, and between noon and 4:30 pm is the afternoon.

Afternoon is 12 noon to 5 pm

If you're sending out wedding invitations, you'll want to ensure you're providing your guests with enough information so that they know when and where your big day will take place. While wedding invitation etiquette does come into play here, you have options when it comes to the exact wording. More formal, traditional invitations for black-tie weddings tend to include more conventional language, while casual invites can be more relaxed and informal.

If your wedding is taking place in the afternoon, this typically refers to the time between 12 noon and 5 pm. Afternoon is often defined as the period between noon and sunset, or between noon and the early evening. The standard phrasing for this time of day used to be "at afternoon", but this has since shifted to "in the afternoon".

If you're hosting a formal wedding, you would write out the time fully, with no numerals. So, if your wedding begins at 5 pm, you would write this as "five o'clock". If your wedding starts at 5:30 pm, this would be written as "half after five o'clock". If you're hosting a more casual event, you can write the time as "5pm" or "5:30pm".

It's worth noting that formal wedding invitations traditionally say "half after" (not "half past") for times on the half-hour. The time should be written in lowercase letters, without "in the afternoon" unless the wedding is scheduled for 8, 9, or 10 o'clock, where there could be confusion over whether it's morning or evening.

If you're aiming for a more casual vibe, you could write "five o'clock in the afternoon" or "five in the afternoon". You could also simply write "five o'clock" or "5pm", depending on the format you've chosen for your invitations.

Remember, the date and time should match in formality—don't write out the date fully and then use numerals for the time. You may also need to consider the layout of your invitations when deciding on the wording. Working with a stationer can help you figure out what looks and sounds best.

Evening starts at 5 pm or 6 pm

When it comes to wedding invitations, the goal is to provide your guests with enough information so that they know when and where your big day will take place. While there is flexibility in terms of wording and formatting, here is a guide to help you navigate the process:

Evening is considered to be any time between 6:00 pm and 11:59 pm. Therefore, if your wedding is at 6 pm, you would traditionally write "six o'clock in the evening" on your invitations. However, there is some debate about whether evening begins at 5 pm or 6 pm. Some sources suggest that 5 pm can be considered "in the evening", especially if it sounds better to you or fits the event. Ultimately, it is your preference and what you feel makes more sense.

For a 5 pm wedding, you could write "five o'clock in the afternoon" or "five o'clock in the evening". You could also opt for a more concise approach, such as "5pm with cocktail, drinks and dancing for the evening". Alternatively, you can omit "in the afternoon" or "in the evening" altogether, as it is not strictly necessary to specify when your wedding is not taking place at 5 am or 5 pm.

If your wedding starts at 5:30 pm, you would traditionally write "half past five in the afternoon" rather than "half past five in the evening". However, some people may find the latter phrasing awkward and prefer to omit it altogether.

Other Tips for Wording the Time

• For a more formal invitation, write out the time in full rather than using numerals. For example, "half after three o'clock" instead of "3:30 pm".
• If your wedding is on the hour, simply write the number and "o'clock", such as "five o'clock".
• For times that are not on the hour, use "half after" instead of "half past". For example, "half after three o'clock" instead of "half past three o'clock".
• Avoid using "o'clock" for times that are not on the hour.
• For a casual wedding, you can be more relaxed and informal with your wording. For example, "Saturday, May 17th, 2025, 5pm".
• Ensure that the date and time match in formality. For instance, if you write out the date in full, also spell out the time.
• Be consistent with the date and time formatting on any enclosures in your invitation suite, such as the response card.

Remember, these are only guidelines, and you can ultimately choose the wording that feels right for you and your event.

Include the day of the week and full month

When writing out the date and time of your wedding on your invitations, it's important to provide clear information for your guests. The day of the week and the month should be spelled out in full and capitalised. For example, if your wedding is on a Saturday, you would write "Saturday, the twenty-sixth of October". The "th" in "twenty-sixth" is also written out in full, and there is a hyphen between the tens and ones place for dates from the 21st to the 31st.

The year is usually written on a separate line and can be written in numerals, but there are a few formatting rules to keep in mind. You would write "two thousand and twenty-four" and there is no "and" between "two thousand" but a hyphen between the tens and ones places.

If your wedding is at 5pm, you can write this as "five o'clock in the evening". It is worth noting that some sources state that evening starts at 6pm, so you could also write "five o'clock in the afternoon". However, "evening" is more common and is considered more formal.

Frequently asked questions