Ways To Write '31St' On Your Wedding Invitation Gracefully

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are many different ways to format the date and time. While some couples opt for a traditional approach, others may prefer a more modern or informal style. The key thing to remember is to provide clear information so that guests know when and where the wedding will take place. In this article, we will explore the different ways to write 31st on a wedding invitation, offering a range of options to suit different preferences and styles.

Spell out the date

When writing out the date for a wedding invitation, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the date should be written in full, with the day of the week, the date, the month, and the year. The day of the week and the month should be capitalised, and there should be a comma between the day and the date. For example, if your wedding is on 31st December 2023, the date would be written as "Saturday, the thirty-first of December, two thousand and twenty-three".

When writing out the date, there are a few specific rules to follow. The day of the month should be written in numeral form, with a hyphen between the tens and the ones place for dates from the 21st to the 31st. So, for 31st, you would write "thirty-first". The year is usually written on a separate line and can be omitted if desired. There is no "and" in the year, so it would be "two thousand and twenty-three" rather than "two thousand and twenty-three".

If your wedding falls on a date between the 21st and 31st of the month, there is a hyphen between the tens and ones place in the date. For example, "the twenty-first" or "the thirty-first". The month is capitalised and written out in full, without any abbreviations. So, for December, you would write "December" rather than "Dec."

You can also include the time of the wedding invitation in a similar format. The time should be written in full, with no numerals. For example, if your wedding is at 4:30 pm, you would write "half after four o'clock in the afternoon" or "half past four o'clock". The time of day should be included, such as "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening".

"Saturday, the thirty-first of December, two thousand and twenty-three, at half after four o'clock in the afternoon"

Remember to proofread your invitation and consider working with a stationer to ensure that your invitation is clear and elegant.

Include the day of the week

When writing the date on a wedding invitation, it is important to include the day of the week. This is an essential part of the date line and helps provide guests with all the information they need to know when and where the wedding will take place.

The day of the week should be written in full and capitalised (e.g. Saturday). There should be a comma after the day of the week, followed by the date. For example: "Saturday, the thirtieth of September".

If the date falls between the 21st and 31st of the month, there should be a hyphen between the tens and ones place in the date. For example, if the wedding is on Saturday, the 31st of October, the date line would be: "Saturday, the thirty-first of October".

The month should always be written out in full and capitalised, with no abbreviations. For example, "October", not "Oct." or "Oct".

The year is usually written on a separate line and can be omitted if desired. It is also acceptable to write the date without the year for a more casual wedding invitation. The year should be written in numerals, with no comma between the month and the year. For example, "2023" not "2,023" or "two thousand and twenty-three".

"Saturday, the thirty-first of October

2023"

Remember, it is essential to proofread your wedding invitations carefully and consider working with a stationer to ensure that your invitations are both correct and aesthetically pleasing.

Write out the time

When writing out the time on a wedding invitation, it's important to consider the formality of your wedding. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you write out the time in a clear and elegant way:

Formal Invitations:

If you're having a formal or traditional wedding, it's customary to write out the time in full without using numerals. For example, if your wedding starts at 3:30 p.m., you would write "half after three o'clock" or "half past three o'clock". The time should be written in lowercase letters, and you can omit "in the morning," "in the afternoon," or "in the evening" unless there's a possibility of confusion (e.g., for times between 8 and 10 a.m. or p.m.). For times on the hour, simply add "o'clock" (e.g., "three o'clock").

Informal Invitations:

If your wedding is more casual or modern, you have more flexibility. You can use numerals and write the time as "3:30 p.m." or "3:30 pm". However, if you choose to write out the time in this format, maintain consistency and use numerals for the date as well (e.g., "Saturday, 9/1/20").

Time of Day:

Regardless of the invitation style, it's important to indicate the time of day. You can use "in the morning," "in the afternoon," or "in the evening" instead of a.m. or p.m. For example, "at three o'clock in the afternoon" or "seven-thirty in the evening". Noon and midnight are specific times and can be written as such without adding "o'clock".

Half-Hour and Quarter-Hour Times:

For times that are not on the hour, there are a few options. You can use "half after" or "half past" followed by the number and "o'clock" (e.g., "half past four o'clock"). Alternatively, you can use "half after" or "half past" followed by the number and the time of day (e.g., "half past seven in the evening"). Avoid using "four thirty" or "seven thirty" when spelling out the time.

Consistency:

Remember to maintain consistency in the formatting of your invitation. If you write out the date in full, it's best to write out the time as well. If you use numerals for the time, consider using numerals for the date as well, especially on any accessory cards or details cards.

Proofreading:

Lastly, don't forget to proofread your invitations carefully. Double-check the spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. Have someone else read through the invitation to catch any potential errors.

Include the time of day

When writing the time of day on a wedding invitation, there are a few different ways to format it, depending on how traditional or formal the event is. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you decide how to include the time of day on your wedding invitations:

Formal and Traditional Invitations

For formal and traditional wedding invitations, there are certain conventions to follow. Firstly, always spell out the time; for example, "half after three o'clock" or "three-thirty" instead of using numerals like "3:30". The time should be written in lowercase letters, and you should include "o'clock" for times on the hour, but not for half-hour times. For instance, "three o'clock" is correct, but "three-thirty o'clock" is not.

Indicating Time of Day

To indicate the time of day, use "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening" instead of "a.m." or "p.m.". Morning is considered to be from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 a.m., afternoon is from 12:00 p.m. to 5:59 p.m., and evening is from 6:00 p.m. onwards. However, some sources suggest that evening can start at 5:00 p.m. If your wedding is at noon, simply write noon instead of "12 o'clock".

Casual and Informal Invitations

If you're having a more casual wedding, you have more flexibility with the wording. You can use numerals like "4pm" or "5:30pm" if you prefer, and you can be more relaxed with the phrasing. For example, you could write "7:30 in the evening" instead of the more formal "half past seven in the evening". Just remember to be consistent with the level of formality in your wording for both the time and date.

Proofreading and Consistency

Regardless of the style you choose, it's important to proofread your invitations carefully and ensure consistency in your formatting. Check for spelling, punctuation, and capitalization errors, and consider having someone else review your wording to catch any mistakes. Consistency is key, so maintain the same style for both the time and date on your invitations.

Add the year

When it comes to writing the year on your wedding invitations, 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. This means that if your wedding is taking place on 31st October 2024, you would write "the thirty-first of October two thousand twenty-four".

Spell Out the Year

It is generally recommended to spell out the year in full rather than using numerals. This helps to avoid any confusion and ensures a more formal and elegant look for your invitations.

Formatting the Year

When writing out the year, the traditional format is to use "two thousand" followed by the last two digits of the year. For example, "two thousand twenty-four". There is no "and" in the year, so avoid writing "two thousand and twenty-four". Additionally, nothing in the year needs to be capitalised.

Placement of the Year

The year is usually printed on a separate line from the day of the week and the month. It is often placed on the same line as the day of the week, after a comma. For example, "Saturday, the thirty-first of October, two thousand twenty-four". However, this may vary depending on the style and format of your invitation.

Including or Omiting the Year

While including the year is recommended for formal invitations, it is not necessary for casual invitations. Ultimately, the decision to include or omit the year is up to you and should be based on the style and formality of your wedding and invitations.

Consistency with Other Elements

Remember to maintain consistency in the formatting of the date and time throughout your invitation suite, including any response cards or enclosures. If you choose to spell out the year on your invitations, ensure that you use the same format on any other materials.

Proofreading and Final Checks

Before finalising your invitations, be sure to proofread them carefully. Check for any spelling or formatting errors, and consider having a friend or family member review the invitations as well. This will help ensure that your invitations are accurate and elegant, setting the right tone for your special day.

Frequently asked questions