Writing The Perfect Wedding Etiquette: A 3-Step, 30-Minute Guide

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the goal is to provide guests with clear information about when and where the wedding will take place. While wedding invitation etiquette does come into play, there are options for the exact wording. The level of formality of the wedding and invitation will dictate the style of the wording. For example, formal invitations for black-tie weddings use more traditional language, while casual invites can be more relaxed and informal.

When writing a time of 3:30 pm on a wedding invitation, the traditional way to word this is at half after three o'clock. However, other acceptable options include half past three o'clock or three-thirty in the afternoon. It is not necessary to include in the afternoon as this is assumed, but it can be added to fill out the line or improve the overall look of the invite design.

Spell out the time

When it comes to wedding invitations, the time should be written out in full, with no numerals. So, for a wedding taking place at 3:30 p.m., you would write this as "half after three o'clock" or "three thirty".

• For a wedding at 3:00 p.m., you would write "three o'clock".
• For a wedding at 4:00 p.m., you could write "four o'clock".
• For a wedding at 4:30 p.m., you could write "half after four o'clock".
• For a wedding at 5:00 p.m., you could write "five o'clock".
• For a wedding at 6:30 p.m., you could write "half after six o'clock".

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, and you don't need to include "in the afternoon" unless there could be confusion over whether it's morning or evening (for example, at 8:30 a.m. or p.m.).

If you're hosting a more casual wedding, you can be more relaxed and informal with the wording. For example, you could write "3:30pm" or "3.30 pm". 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.

Include the reception time

Including the reception time on your wedding invitation is an important part of wedding etiquette. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you with this:

Formality

The formality of your wedding invitation will depend on the style and tone of your wedding. If you're having a traditional, formal wedding, you'll want to use more traditional and formal language on your invitations. This includes writing out times in full and avoiding abbreviations. For example, instead of writing "3:30 p.m.", you would write "half after three o'clock" or "half past three o'clock". The time of day should be written in lowercase, for example, "in the afternoon" or "in the evening".

If your wedding is more casual, you have more flexibility with the wording and can use numerals, such as "3:30 p.m." or "3.30 pm". You can also be more creative with the phrasing, such as "three-thirty in the afternoon".

Providing Clear Information

It's important to provide clear information about the reception, especially if it's at a different location or several hours after the ceremony. If the reception follows immediately after the ceremony in the same location, you can simply write "reception to follow" or "dinner and dancing to follow".

However, if there is a significant time gap or a change of venue, include a separate reception card as part of your invitation suite. Here's an example:

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

You can also provide additional details about the reception, such as:

> Cocktails, dinner, and dancing beginning at six o'clock in the evening.

Consistency

Remember to maintain consistency in the formality of your invitation. If you're writing out the date in full, you should also write out the time in full. For example:

> Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon.

If you're using numerals for the date, you can also use numerals for the time:

> 09.15.2021, 4:30 p.m.

Additional Considerations

When including the reception time, consider the overall design and layout of your invitations. Work with a stationer to determine the best wording and format that fits your invitations' style and aesthetic.

Additionally, be mindful of cultural and regional differences in time formatting. For example, some regions use a 12-hour clock (3:30 p.m.) while others use a 24-hour clock (15:30).

Finally, remember that the invitation is a reflection of your wedding's style and tone. Use the reception time wording to set the right atmosphere and ensure your guests have all the information they need to join your celebration.

Write out dates in full

When writing out dates in full for a wedding invitation, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the traditional way to write the date is to spell it out completely, rather than using numerals. For example, if your wedding is on Saturday, October 26, 2024, you would write "Saturday, the twenty-sixth of October two thousand twenty-four". The day of the week should be capitalized (unless your wedding invitation's font is all uppercase or lowercase), and there should be a comma between the day of the week and the date.

If your wedding date falls between the 21st and 31st of the month, there is a hyphen between the tens and the ones place in the date. For example, "Saturday, the twenty-eighth of May". The month is capitalized and written out in full, without any abbreviations.

The year is usually on a separate line from the day of the week and the month, and there is no comma between the month and the year. For example, "Saturday, the twenty-sixth of October, two thousand twenty-four". There is no hyphen between "two thousand" but there is a hyphen between the tens and the ones numbers in the year. For example, "two thousand twenty-four".

While it is recommended to include the day of the week and the year, it is not required. For a more casual wedding, you can simply write out the date numerically, such as "Saturday, May 17, 2025".

It's important to maintain consistency in the formatting of your dates across all enclosures in your wedding invitation suite, including the response card. For example, if you're using the traditional wording and your RSVP deadline is April 17, you would write "Kindly respond by the seventeenth of April". For a more informal option, you could say "Please reply by April 17th".

Write guests' full names

When it comes to wedding invitation etiquette, tradition usually dictates that the bride's name comes before the groom's. This is because the bride's family often bears most of the expenses and hosts the wedding. However, this tradition is not set in stone, and many couples choose to go with alphabetical order or simply what sounds better. Same-sex couples, for instance, often opt for alphabetical order or personal preference. Ultimately, it is up to you and your partner to decide whose name comes first.

When addressing your wedding invitations, it is considered proper to write out your guests' full names, including their personal titles (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss, Mx., etc.). This format is foolproof, as it works for couples of all genders and those who do or do not share a surname. It also maintains a traditional feel. However, if you feel that personal titles may be restrictive or exclusive for your guest list, you can choose to omit them and use only your guests' first and last names. If you plan to include personal titles, be sure to double-check each attendee's preferred title beforehand.

For married couples, put both names on the same line, with the person you are closest with or the person whose name comes first alphabetically, listed first. If the couple has different last names, list the names in alphabetical order or based on your closeness with each individual. If one person has taken the other's surname, you can reflect that in the address. For example:

"Mr. John and Mrs. Samantha Rivera" or "Mr. and Mrs. John Rivera"

For unmarried couples, both names should be included on separate lines. Again, list the person you are closest with or the person whose name comes first alphabetically, first. For example:

"Mr. Aaron Triguero

Mr. Gabriel Reyes"

If you are inviting a family with young children (under 18), reserve the outer envelope for the parent(s) or guardian(s)' names. You should then list each child's name on the inner envelope. Boys do not need a title until they are 16, while girls under 18 can be addressed as "Miss" if desired. If you do not include each child's name, it may be assumed that children are not invited. For families with children over 18, each person should receive their own invitation unless they live at home with their parents.

When addressing a single person, always use their preferred title if possible. If you are unsure, it is best to omit the title altogether. For invitations with a plus-one, mention the guest by name if you have that information. Otherwise, "and Guest" will suffice.

Outer envelope: "Ms. Ali Johnson"

Inner envelope: "Ms. Johnson"

Outer envelope: "Mx. Sam Li"

Inner envelope: "Sam Li and Guest"

Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham"

Inner envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham, Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany, and Mx. Kelly"

Outer envelope: "Ms. Audrey Abraham"

Inner envelope: "Ms. Abraham"

Include the wedding website and registry details

Your wedding website is a great place to include all the extra information that won't fit on your invitations. This includes details about your gift registry, travel and accommodation, dress code, and more.

When it comes to wedding registries, there are a few options to choose from. Some popular wedding registry websites include The Knot, Zola, Amazon, and Honeyfund. These sites allow you to register for gifts, cash funds, experiences, and more. You can also link multiple registries from different stores to your wedding website, making it easy for your guests to find all the information they need in one place.

If you're looking for a more traditional registry, you can consider adding gifts from top brands, gift cards, and experiences. For a more modern approach, you might want to create a cash fund for anything from your honeymoon to a new home. You can also link other registries to your wedding website, so guests can easily access all the information they need.

Remember to include a mix of affordable and more expensive gift options to suit a range of budgets. You can also add and edit gifts at any time, as well as exchange them or convert them to credit if you change your mind.

Your wedding website is also a great place to include practical information for your guests, such as travel and accommodation details, the dress code, and any other wedding events. This will ensure your guests have all the information they need to celebrate your big day with you.

Frequently asked questions