Crafting A Warm Wedding Invitation For A 10 A.M. Ceremony

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. While wedding invitation etiquette does come into play here, there are options when it comes to the exact wording. For a 10 am wedding, the traditional way to write the time on the invitation is to spell it out completely, without using numerals. So, if the wedding is taking place on a Saturday, the invitation would read: at ten o'clock in the morning. If the wedding is more casual, it is also acceptable to write the time as 10am. It is worth noting that the time of day should be included for a 10 am wedding, as there could be confusion over whether it is morning or evening.

Spell out the time as words, not numbers

When writing the time on a wedding invitation, it is best to spell out the time as words rather than using numbers. This is because written-out times are less likely to be misread and are more elegant and traditional.

For a formal wedding invitation, you would write out the time in full, with no numerals. For example, if your wedding begins at 10 a.m., you would write this as "ten o'clock in the morning". If your wedding begins at 10:30 a.m., you could write this as "half after ten o'clock in the morning", "half past ten o'clock in the morning", or "ten-thirty in the morning".

Note that "o'clock" is only used for times on the hour, and the time of day ("in the morning", etc.) is included instead of "a.m." or "p.m.".

For a less formal wedding invitation, you could write the time as "10 a.m." or "10:30 a.m.". However, remember that the date and time should match in formality—don't write out the date fully and then use numerals for the time.

Include in the morning

When writing wedding invitations for a 10 am ceremony, it's important to provide clear and detailed information for your guests. Here are some key things to include and consider for the morning of your wedding:

Timing is Everything

• It is recommended to write out the time in full for a formal invitation, indicating "in the morning". For a 10 am wedding, you could write "at ten o'clock in the morning".
• If you prefer a more casual approach, you could use numerals and indicate "AM", such as "10:00 AM".
• To ensure your guests arrive on time, you may want to indicate an earlier start time on the invitation, such as 9:45 am. This is a common practice to account for potential lateness.

Set the Tone

• The wording and format of your invitation can help set the tone for your wedding. If you're having a formal event, traditional language and spelling out details are recommended.
• For a more casual or modern wedding, you have more flexibility with the wording and can use numerals instead of spelling out details.

Additional Morning Details

• If you wish to include more information about the morning of your wedding, you can add details about the venue and any pre-ceremony activities.
• For example, if you're offering a breakfast reception or a pre-wedding cocktail hour, you can include this information on a separate insert card. This way, your guests know what to expect when they arrive.
• You can also provide details about parking, especially if you anticipate any challenges or limited availability. This will help your guests plan their arrival accordingly.

Remember, the key is to provide clear and consistent information for your guests, while also reflecting the style and tone of your wedding. By including these morning details, you'll help ensure your guests have a smooth and enjoyable experience on your special day.

Write the date in full

When writing out the date and time for a wedding invitation, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, traditionally, no numerals would be present on the invitation at all. However, for very informal or modern weddings, it is becoming more common to use numerals in place of words.

If you are going for a traditional format, the date would be written as follows:

> Saturday, the tenth of June, two thousand twenty-four

• The day of the week is capitalized (Saturday), and there is a comma after it.
• Only the month is capitalized in the date (tenth of June), and there is a comma after the day.
• The year is written in full, with no comma between the number and "two thousand". There is also no "and" between the thousands and the hundreds.
• The "'t' in 'two' is capitalized.

If you are hosting a more casual wedding, you can write the date more informally. For example, if your wedding is on Sunday, 17 May 2025, you could write:

> Sunday, May seventeenth, 2025

Here, the day of the week and the month are capitalized, but the year remains in the format "two thousand and twenty-five". Alternatively, you could use numerals and write:

> Sunday, May 17, 2025

Remember to be consistent with the date formatting on any enclosures in your wedding invitation suite, such as the response card. For example, if you are using the traditional wording and your RSVP deadline is 17 April, you would write:

> Kindly respond by the seventeenth of April

Or, if you prefer a more informal tone:

> Please reply by April 17th

When writing out the date, it is also important to consider whether to include the day of the week or not. While it is not necessary, it is generally recommended, especially for formal weddings.

Include the address

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations, there are a few different scenarios and guidelines to follow. Here are some tips and examples for including the address when writing a 10 am wedding invitation:

Outer and Inner Envelopes:

Wedding invitations typically include an outer envelope and an inner envelope. The outer envelope is more formal and should include the recipient's full name and title. For example: "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren" or "Mx. Sam Li". The inner envelope is more informal, and you can choose to include last names or first names only. For example: "Mr. and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle".

For a 10 am wedding, it is important to specify the time of the ceremony clearly on the invitation to avoid confusion. You can write out the time in words, such as "ten o'clock in the morning" or use numerals like "10:00 am".

Including the Address:

When including the address on the outer envelope, spell out all words and avoid using abbreviations. Instead of "St." or "Apt.", use "Street" or "Apartment". Write out the city and state names as well. For example: "123 Elm Street, Anytown, California, 98765".

If the wedding is taking place at a private residence, it is customary to include the street address on the invitation. However, for other venues, simply including the venue name and city may be sufficient.

Outer envelope:

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren

123 Elm Street

Anytown, California, 98765

Inner envelope:

Mr. and Mrs. Warren

Or

Thomas and Michelle

Remember to include the time of the ceremony clearly on the invitation, such as "ten o'clock in the morning" or "10:00 am".

For a more casual wedding, you can be more flexible with the wording and format of the address. However, for a formal wedding, it is important to follow traditional etiquette and spelling out all words and using appropriate titles.

Add reception details

When it comes to adding reception details to your wedding invitation, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to provide clear and concise information about the reception venue and timing. This includes mentioning whether the reception will be held at the same location as the ceremony or if it will be at a separate venue. If it's at a different venue, be sure to include the name and address of the reception venue, as well as the start and end times. You may also want to include directions or transportation information, especially if the two locations are far apart.

Another important aspect is maintaining consistent wording and formatting throughout your invitation suite. This means using similar language and style for the reception details as you did for the ceremony information. For example, if you wrote out the time for the ceremony in words, do the same for the reception. This helps to create a cohesive and elegant look for your invitations.

In terms of phrasing, you can use a variety of wording options to invite guests to the reception. Here are some examples:

• "Reception to follow"
• "Dinner and dancing to follow"
• "Join us following the ceremony for a reception"
• "Please join us for drinks, dinner, and dancing immediately following the ceremony"
• "Let's Party! Join us for a reception of cocktails, dinner, and dancing following the ceremony"

It's also a good idea to include any relevant dress code or theme for the reception. This helps guests know what to expect and what to wear. For example, if your reception has a particular theme, such as a BBQ or cocktail party, you can mention it on the invitation.

Additionally, if there will be specific activities or events during the reception, you can provide a brief overview. For instance, if there will be a photo booth, live music, or special performances, you can give guests a sneak peek to generate excitement.

Remember, the key to adding reception details is to provide clear and concise information while maintaining a cohesive and elegant style that complements your wedding invitation design and theme.

Frequently asked questions