Simple Guide To Writing Wedding Invite Times: 4:30 Pm

When it comes to wedding invites, there are many ways to write the time 4:30. The traditional way is to write it out in full, using half after or half past instead of four-thirty. For example, half after four o'clock or half past four o'clock. If you're having a formal wedding, it's best to avoid using numerals and write out the time in words. However, if your wedding is more casual, you can use numerals and write 4:30 pm or 4:30 p.m. in the afternoon. It's also worth noting that in the morning, in the afternoon, or in the evening don't need to be included unless the wedding is at 8, 9, or 10 o'clock.

Spell out the time

When indicating the time of your wedding ceremony on your invitations, it is generally more formal and often preferable to write out the time in words rather than using numbers. This is especially true if you are having a traditional or formal wedding. Writing out the time in words adds a touch of elegance and clarity to your invitation and can be done in a few simple ways. For an event taking place at 4:30 pm, you could write "four thirty in the afternoon". This phrasing is straightforward and leaves no room for confusion. It is also a common and widely understood way to express the time. For a more formal or traditional wedding, you might consider "half past four in the afternoon". This phrasing is more elaborate and lends a sense of formality to your invitation. It is also a clear indication of the time and is easily understood.

If you prefer a more concise written time, you could simply use "four-thirty o'clock". This phrasing is shorter but still clear and formal. It strikes a balance between brevity and maintaining a formal tone. For an outdoor wedding, especially one with a rustic or casual theme, you could write "four-thirty in the late afternoon". This phrasing sets a relaxed tone and provides a clear indication of the time of day. It is also a unique and charming way to express the time, adding a personal touch to your invitations.

For a more light-hearted or informal wedding, you might opt for "halfway to five o'clock". While this phrasing is less common, it adds a touch of whimsy and humor to your invitation. It still clearly communicates the time while offering a playful twist. However, be mindful of your wedding's tone and theme when considering this option, as it may not suit more formal or traditional events. Another option for a casual or informal wedding is to write "a quarter to five o'clock".

This phrasing is often used in conversational language and can add a friendly tone to your invitation. It provides a clear indication of the time while using familiar language. Remember that the goal is to communicate the time clearly while reflecting the style and tone of your wedding. Whichever phrasing you choose, ensure it aligns with the overall theme and atmosphere you wish to create for your special day. These options provide a range of tones and styles to suit various wedding themes while adhering to the general guideline of spelling out the time on wedding invitations.

Include the day of the week

When writing the time on a wedding invitation, it is important to consider the formality of your wedding. The day of the week should be included and written in a particular way, depending on the style of your invitation.

Formal Weddings

For formal weddings, the traditional way to write the day of the week is to capitalise the name of the day. For example, "Saturday, the twenty-sixth of October two thousand twenty-four". The day of the week should be capitalised (unless your wedding invitation's font is all uppercase or lowercase), and there should be a comma following the day of the week.

Less Formal Weddings

For less formal weddings, you can be more relaxed and informal. For example, "Saturday, May 17th, 2025". You can also use numerals as a design choice, so "Saturday, 8/15/2026" would be written as "Saturday, August 15th, 2026".

Matching Formality

It is important to match the formality of the day of the week with the rest of the date and time. For example, if you write out the day of the week in full, write out the date and time in full too.

Abbreviations

It is not advisable to abbreviate the day and time for formal weddings. However, for more informal weddings, you could use a simple "Sat. 9/1/20" format.

Capitalisation

When writing the day of the week, capitalise the name of the day. For example, "Saturday" or "Friday". The month should also be capitalised, but the year should not be.

Punctuation

Use a comma after the day of the week. For example, "Saturday," (followed by the date).

Consistency

Ensure that the formatting of the day of the week is consistent with the rest of your invitation suite, including any enclosures such as RSVP cards.

Write out the date

When writing out the date and time on your wedding invitations, it's important to consider the formality of your wedding and invitation. Formal invitations for black-tie weddings tend to use more traditional language, while casual invites can be more relaxed and informal. Here are some tips and examples to help you write out the date and time for a 4:30 pm wedding:

The traditional way to write the date on a wedding invitation is to spell it out completely, rather than using numerals. For example, if your wedding is on Saturday, April 30th, 2024, you would write:

"Saturday, the thirtieth of April two thousand twenty-four"

• Capitalize the day of the week (unless your invitation font is all uppercase or lowercase) and use a comma after it.
• For dates from the 21st to the 31st of a month, use a hyphen between the tens and the ones place. For example, "the thirtieth".
• Capitalize and write out the month in full without any abbreviations.
• The year is usually on a separate line and should be written in numerals. You can write it as "two thousand twenty-four" or use digits.
• There is no need to include "and" when spelling out the year.
• It is recommended to include the day of the week and the year, but it is not mandatory.

If you're having a more casual wedding, you can write the date more informally. For example:

"Saturday, April 30, 2024"

Spell out the time

For formal wedding invitations, it is customary to spell out the time in words rather than using numerals. Here are some examples of how to write 4:30 pm:

• "At half after four o'clock in the afternoon"
• "At half past four o'clock in the afternoon"
• "Four-thirty in the afternoon"

Some points to keep in mind when writing out the time:

• Avoid using numerals like "4:30 pm" on formal invitations.
• Start the time phrase with "at", followed by the time and whether it's morning, afternoon, or evening.
• The time should be written in lowercase letters.
• For times on the hour, simply write out the number followed by "o'clock". For example, "four o'clock".
• You don't need to specify "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening" unless the time is before 11 am, between noon and 4:30 pm, or after 5 pm, respectively.
• For a more casual wedding, you can use numerals and write the time as "4:30 pm".

Use half after instead of half past

When it comes to wedding invitations, the clock is ticking to get the timing just right! It is important to give your guests clear information about when your big day will take place, and the right wording can ensure they arrive on time.

For a more formal wedding invitation, it is traditional to write out the time in full, with no numerals. So, for 4:30 pm, you would use the phrase "half after". This is considered more formal than "half past" or "four-thirty". For example, "at half after four o'clock".

However, you may choose to leave off the "o'clock", as some people feel it sounds smoother and more elegant, especially if your wedding is less formal. For example, "at half after four".

If you are having a very formal wedding, you may want to include "in the afternoon" or "in the evening". However, this is not necessary, as a start time of 4:30 am would be considered unreasonable, and your guests will assume the ceremony is in the afternoon.

So, to summarise, the correct way to write 4:30 pm on a wedding invitation is either "at half after four o'clock" or "at half after four". This ensures a polished tone that is clear and concise.

Include the location

When it comes to wedding invites, the location is an essential piece of information. Here are some tips and guidelines for including the location in your wedding invites:

Providing Clear and Detailed Location Information:

Start by including the name of the venue and its full address. Make sure to spell out the full names of the streets and the city to avoid any confusion. For example:

"The Wedding Venue

1234 Main Street

Springfield, Anystate 12345"

Including the City and State:

If your wedding is taking place in a well-known location or a popular venue, you may consider simply providing the city and state. This approach can work if the venue is easily recognisable or if most of your guests are local and familiar with the area. For example:

"Ceremony and Reception:

Springfield, Anystate"

Adding Extra Venue Information:

If your wedding venue is unique or located in an area your guests may be unfamiliar with, consider including additional details. This could be in the form of a small map or directions, especially if the venue is hard to find. You can also provide information about parking, nearby landmarks, or other relevant details to make it easier for your guests to find the location and plan their travel accordingly.

Including Both Ceremony and Reception Locations:

If your ceremony and reception are taking place in different venues, be sure to include both locations on the invitation or in the accompanying inserts. You can list them separately with their respective addresses and times. Alternatively, you can mention the ceremony location on the main invitation and add a separate reception card with the details for the reception venue.

Keeping it Concise:

While providing clear location information is important, try to keep the wording concise. You don't want your invitation to become overcrowded with too much text. Aim for a balance between providing enough details and maintaining a sleek and elegant design.

Proofreading and Consistency:

Lastly, be sure to proofread your invitations before finalising them. Check for any typos or inconsistencies in the location information. It's easy to overlook small details, so take the time to review everything carefully.

Frequently asked questions