Writing Half-Past Wedding Invites: A Simple Guide

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. A key part of this is clearly printing the time of the wedding day, but there are many different ways to spell out this information. For example, should you print numerals or write out the numbers? While wedding invitation etiquette does come into play here, you have options when it comes to the exact wording.

Formal vs informal

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the level of formality you choose will depend on the type of wedding you are having. More formal invitations are used for black-tie weddings, while casual invites are for more relaxed and informal weddings. Here is a guide to help you decide between a formal or informal style for your wedding invitations:

Formal Wedding Invitations

If you are having a formal wedding, you should follow traditional invitation etiquette. Here are some tips for writing formal wedding invitations:

• The host's name(s) are spelled out, including middle names and titles such as Mr. and Mrs.
• For weddings in a house of worship, use the phrase "the honour of your presence". For other venues, use "the pleasure of your company".
• If the bride shares her parents' last name, only her first and middle name are used.
• Write out the groom's name in full, including a title such as Mr.
• Spell out the date and year, with no "and" between the numbers. For example, "two thousand twenty-three".
• Capitalise the day of the week and the month, but not the year.
• Use "half after" instead of "half past" or "four-thirty" when indicating the time.
• You do not need to include "in the afternoon" or "in the evening", unless the wedding is at 8, 9 or 10 o'clock.
• Provide the city and state of the wedding location, spelling out the state in full.

Informal Wedding Invitations

If you are having a less formal wedding, you can be more relaxed with your invitation wording. Here are some tips for writing informal wedding invitations:

• Write out the date more simply, for example, "Saturday, May 17th, 2025".
• You can also use numerals for the date and time, such as "Saturday, 8/15/2026" or "4:30 pm".
• Be consistent with the date formatting on any enclosures, such as RSVP cards.
• You can be more casual with the RSVP wording, for example, "Please reply by April 17th".
• You do not need to include titles or middle names.
• You can include "in the afternoon" or "in the evening" if you wish.

Remember, the most important thing is to choose a style that you are comfortable with and that reflects your wedding day. You can also use a combination of formal and informal elements to create a style that suits you and your partner.

Including the year

When writing the time on a wedding invitation, it is important to consider the formality of your wedding and invitation. For a formal wedding invitation, the time should be written out in full, with no numerals. For example, for a wedding taking place at 4:30 pm, you could write "half after four o'clock" or "half past four o'clock". The traditional way to indicate a half-hour time is to use "half after" rather than "half past" or "four-thirty".

The year should also be written out in full and included on a separate line from the day of the week and the month. For example, if your wedding is taking place in 2024, you would write "two thousand twenty-four". Note that there is no "and" between "two thousand" and the year, and there is no comma between the month and the year.

"Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four o'clock in the afternoon"

If you are hosting a more casual wedding, you can be more flexible with the wording and include numerals. For example, "Saturday, September 15, 2024, at 4:30 pm".

Remember to include other key details such as the host, an invitation, the name of the couple, location, and reception information.

Time of day

When it comes to wedding invitations, the time of day is an important detail that needs to be communicated clearly to the guests. Here are some guidelines and examples to help you with this task:

Formal Invitations

For a formal wedding invitation, traditional and elegant language is used. When indicating the time of day, it is customary to write it out in full without using numerals. For example, if your wedding is at 4:30 pm, you could use any of the following options:

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

The phrases "in the afternoon" or "in the evening" are optional and can be omitted. However, they can be helpful to include if your wedding is at a time when there could be confusion, such as at 8, 9, or 10 o'clock. It is worth noting that any time after 5 pm is considered the evening, and between noon and 4:30 pm is the afternoon.

Informal Invitations

If your wedding is more casual, you have the flexibility to be less formal in your invitation wording. You can use numerals or a combination of words and numerals. For a wedding at 4:30 pm, you could write:

• 4:30 pm
• Four-thirty in the afternoon
• 4:30 p.m. in the afternoon

Matching Formality

While you have options for the exact wording, it is important to maintain consistency in the level of formality between how you write the date and the time. For example, if you write out the date in full, you should also spell out the time. On the other hand, if you use numerals for the date, using numerals for the time will create a cohesive look.

Working with a Stationer

Keep in mind that a stationer can be a valuable resource in finalising your invitation wording. They can help you navigate the complexities of etiquette and ensure that your invitations accurately reflect your style and the tone of your wedding.

Remember, the most important aspect is that you feel comfortable with the way your guests are invited to your special day.

Honour vs honor

When it comes to wedding invitations, you may want to consider the different nuances of "honour" and "honor". Both spellings are correct and refer to the same concept of high respect or esteem. However, there are some subtle differences in their usage:

Honor: This is the preferred spelling in American English and is typically used as both a noun and a verb. For example, "She has learned to honor her father's memory" or "The highest military honors are given to the bravest soldiers".

Honour: This is the preferred spelling in British English and other varieties of English. It is typically used as a noun. For example, "They gathered together at the site of the Battle of the Somme to honour the dead".

Now, onto the wedding invitation! When indicating a time of half-past, it is recommended to write out the time in full, with no numerals. So, for a wedding starting at 4:30 p.m., you could write:

• Half after four o'clock
• Half past four o'clock
• Four-thirty in the afternoon

If you're aiming for a more casual tone, you could use numerals, such as "4:30 p.m." or "4:30 p.m. in the afternoon".

"We request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Lauren Martinez, daughter of Marta Martinez, and John Smith, son of Robert and Elizabeth Smith, on Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half past four o'clock in the afternoon."

"With hearts full of love and joy, we invite you to join us at the wedding of Sarah and Daniel on the beach at half after four o'clock on Saturday, the twenty-sixth of October, two thousand and twenty-four."

Remember, the choice between "honour" and "honor" may depend on your location and the desired formality of your invitation.

Host line

The host line is the opening line of a wedding invitation and names the hosts of the event. Here are some examples of how to word the host line for different scenarios:

One Set of Married Parents Hosting

Include the parents' full names, with middle names included for very formal weddings. If they have different last names, write "and" to join the two names.

• Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams (very formal)
• Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Williams (formal)
• Mr. and Mrs. Christopher and Sarah Williams (formal; includes both first names)
• Christopher and Sarah Williams (less formal)

One Set of Divorced Parents Hosting

List the mother's name first, followed by the father's name on a separate line.

• Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory
• Mr. James Abner and Lydia Abner
• Mr. Harold and Jane Hyland

Both Sets of Parents Hosting

For different-sex couples, list the bride's parents' names first, followed by the groom's parents' names. For same-sex couples, list the names according to preference or in the order that looks best with the invitation design.

• Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hollis (formal)
• Aaron and Alisha Wong together with Adam and Beatrice Hollis (less formal)
• Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes

Couple Hosting With Their Families

When the couple and both of their families are contributing to the wedding, you can add a line such as:

• Together with their families
• Together with our families
• Together with their parents

Couple Hosting Themselves

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, you can skip the host line or start with a warm and welcoming introduction, such as:

• Together with full hearts
• With hearts full of love and joy

Frequently asked questions