Writing Wedding Invites: 30-Minute Guide To Getting It Right

Writing out times on wedding invitations can be a little tricky, especially if you're aiming for a formal tone. The traditional way to write 30 minutes past the hour is to use half after or half past followed by the time, for example, half after three o'clock. This can be adjusted to fit the tone of your wedding, with more casual invitations allowing for more flexibility in the wording. For instance, you could write 4:30 pm or half after four in the afternoon. It's important to be consistent with the tone and formatting you choose throughout the invitation.

Spell out the time

When writing a wedding invitation, spelling out the time is an important consideration. Here are some tips to help you get it right:

It is best to write out the time in full for formal wedding invitations. Avoid using numerals and abbreviations like "3 p.m." or "4:30 p.m.". Instead, opt for a more traditional phrasing such as "at three o'clock in the afternoon" or "half past four in the afternoon." The time of day should be included, such as "in the morning," "in the afternoon," or "in the evening." This adds a touch of elegance to your invitation.

Consistency is Key

Ensure that the format of the time matches the tone and style of your invitation. If you're having a casual wedding, it's perfectly acceptable to write the time numerically as "4:30 pm." However, if you're going for a more formal affair, stick to the traditional phrasing. Consistency is essential, so make sure the style of the time aligns with the overall presentation of your invitation.

Consider the Context

When deciding how to spell out the time, consider the context of your wedding. If your ceremony is taking place at noon, you can simply write "noon" without adding "o'clock" or specifying the time of day. Similarly, for midnight celebrations, "midnight" will suffice. These specific times of day are clear and don't require additional details.

Evening Etiquette

There is some debate about when "evening" begins. Traditionally, it is considered to start at 6 pm, but some sources suggest it could be as early as 5 pm. If your wedding is at 5:30 pm, you might write "half past five in the afternoon" or "half past five in the evening," depending on your preference and the overall formality of the event.

Seek Professional Guidance

If you're unsure about the best way to spell out the time, consider consulting a stationer or wedding invitation specialist. They can provide guidance on the latest trends, traditions, and etiquette for wedding invitations. This will ensure your invitations are both elegant and accurate.

Include o'clock

When writing a wedding invitation, the time of day should be included, such as "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening". It is also important to note that the time of day should be written in lowercase.

If you are having a traditional, formal wedding, it is customary to write out the time in full, including "o'clock". For example, for a wedding starting at 3:30 pm, you would write "half after three o'clock" or "half past three o'clock". The use of "half past" is generally accepted, but "half after" is considered more traditional.

However, it is also acceptable to drop the "o'clock" for half-hour times, as in "half after four" or "half past four". This phrasing is considered more elegant and less awkward-sounding than including "o'clock".

For a more casual wedding, you can be more flexible with the wording and use numerals, such as "4:30 pm". Just remember to match the formality of the time with the formality of the date.

• Half after three o'clock in the afternoon
• Half past three o'clock in the afternoon
• Half after three in the afternoon
• Half past three in the afternoon

Remember, the key is to provide clear information to your guests about when and where your wedding will take place, so they can arrive on time and be a part of your special day.

Write out the day, number of the month and month

When writing out the day, number of the month and month on a wedding invitation, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the day of the week should be written in full and capitalised (unless your wedding invitation's font is all uppercase or lowercase). For example, "Saturday, the twenty-sixth of October two thousand twenty-four".

The day of the week should be followed by a comma, and then the number of the month. If the date falls between the 21st and 31st of the month, use a hyphen between the tens and the ones place in the date. For example, "Saturday, the twenty-eighth of May". The number of the month is not capitalised.

The month is then written out in full, with a capital letter, and followed by "of". For example, "Saturday, the twenty-eighth of May".

For the year, there are a few different ways to write it out. One option is to write out the full year in numerals, such as "two thousand and sixteen". Alternatively, you can spell out the year, ensuring there is no "and" between "two thousand" and the number. For example, "two thousand sixteen". It is also acceptable to write the year in numerical form, such as "2023".

It is worth noting that while the traditional way to write the date on a wedding invitation is to spell out the day, number of the month, and month in full, it is becoming increasingly common to use numerals for more informal or modern weddings. Ultimately, the decision comes down to the couple's preference and the level of formality they wish to convey.

Write out the year

When writing out the year on a wedding invitation, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the traditional way to write the date on a wedding invitation is to spell out the numbers rather than use numerals. This means writing out the year in full, for example, "two thousand twenty-three". There should be no "and" in the year, so it should be "two thousand twenty-three" instead of "two thousand and twenty-three". Nothing in the year should be capitalised.

Another thing to consider is whether to include the day of the week and the year at all. While this is not necessary, it is recommended to include them to provide your guests with more information about when your wedding will take place. If you are hosting a casual wedding, you may choose to write out the date more informally, for example, "Saturday, May 17th, 2025".

It is also important 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 April 17th, you would write: "Kindly respond by the seventeenth of April". Alternatively, you could be more informal and use language such as: "Please reply by April 17th".

Finally, remember that your wedding invitation is a guide for your guests and will give them an idea of how formal or informal your wedding day will be. While it may seem a little stuffy, your guests will appreciate the hint!

Include the time of day

When writing the time on a wedding invitation, it's important to consider the formality of your wedding and invitation. Here are some tips and guidelines for including the time of day on your wedding invitations:

Formal Invitations

For formal wedding invitations, it is customary to write out the time in full, using the placement of hands on a clock. For example, if your wedding starts at 3:30 pm, you would write "half after three o'clock" or "three-thirty" in words. It is also traditional to include "o'clock" when writing the time, such as "half after three o'clock". However, some sources suggest that it is acceptable to drop "o'clock" when referring to half hours.

It is recommended to use phrases like "in the morning," "in the afternoon," or "in the evening" to indicate the time of day, rather than a.m. or p.m. For instance, "half past five in the afternoon" or "half past five o'clock in the afternoon". The transition from afternoon to evening is a subject of debate, with some sources stating that evening begins at 5 pm, while others maintain the traditional view that evening starts at 6 pm.

Informal Invitations

If you're having a more casual wedding, you have more flexibility in how you write the time. You can use numerals, such as "4:30 pm" or "4:30 in the afternoon". Alternatively, you can write it as "four-thirty in the afternoon". This approach is particularly suitable if you're opting for a modern or graphic invitation design.

Additional Considerations

When writing the time, avoid using "twelve o'clock" and instead refer to 12:00 pm as "noon". For midnight, simply write "midnight" without specifying "o'clock". It's also worth noting that the time of day should be written in lowercase letters, and you should avoid capitalizing any part of the time.

Remember, the most important aspect is to provide clear information to your guests about the timing of your wedding. You can choose to follow traditional guidelines or adapt them to suit your wedding's style and formality.

Frequently asked questions