Writing Wedding Invites: September 3Rd Date Format Ideas

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few different ways to write out the date, depending on the desired level of formality. The traditional way to write the date is to spell it out completely, rather than using numerals. For example, if your wedding is on September 3, 2024, you would write: Saturday, the third of September, two thousand twenty-four. The day of the week should be capitalised and there should be a comma between the day and the date. The year is usually on a separate line and there should be no comma between the month and the year.

Spell out the date

When spelling out the date, there are a few format options, and you may choose to include the year or omit it. Here are some examples:

With the year: "The third of September, two thousand and twenty- three."

Omit the year: "The third of September." This shorter version is elegant and classic, and your guests will easily assume the year is the current one. You could also write it as: "The third day of September."

If you prefer a more casual, modern feel, you might write it as: "September third, 2023." Or, for a slightly more formal take on the same style: "September 3, 2023." Adding the comma after the month and before the year is a nice touch that adds a bit of formality and elegance.

For a very traditional, formal wedding invitation, you might consider a very elaborate wording: "The third day of the ninth month, in the year of our Lord, two thousand and twenty-third." While this phrasing is quite wordy, it has a beautiful, old-world charm that would be well-suited to a very formal or themed wedding.

Remember, the key is to be consistent. Choose one format and use it throughout your invitation suite for a polished, cohesive look. This includes not only the main invitation but also any enclosure cards, such as RSVP cards or details cards, that might feature the wedding date.

Include the day of the week

Including the day of the week on your wedding invitation is a traditional and practical choice. It provides clarity and sets the tone for your event. There are a few ways to format the date, and including the day is a classic approach that offers a formal tone. For example, you could write "Saturday, the third of September" or "On Saturday, the third of September." This phrasing is elegant and leaves no room for ambiguity. Including the day is especially helpful for guests who may be traveling or arranging their schedules around your wedding. It also adds a sense of occasion, as it emphasizes the specific day you have chosen to celebrate.

If you opt to include the day of the week, a few formatting options are available. One option is to spell out the day of the week in full, followed by the numerical date and the month. For example: "Friday, September 3, 2023." This format is clear and concise, providing all the necessary information. It is also the most common format, so your guests are likely to be familiar with it. Another option is to use a more abbreviated format, such as "Fri., Sept. 3, 2023." This shortened version maintains formality while saving space on your invitation card.

When including the day of the week, consider the overall design and layout of your invitation suite. The placement of the date should complement the other elements, such as the wording, fonts, and any decorative features. You may choose to highlight the date by using a larger font size or a bold typeface. Alternatively, a more subtle approach could be taken, with the date integrated seamlessly into the overall design. If you have chosen a themed wedding invitation, such as a rustic or beach theme, you can reflect this in the style and format of the date.

Remember that including the day of the week is just one option for presenting your wedding date. You may also choose to omit it, especially if space is limited or you prefer a more concise invitation design. Ultimately, the decision should align with the tone and style you wish to convey. Whether you include the day or not, ensure that the month and date are clear and prominent, as this is the essential information your guests need to know.

Write out the time

When writing the time on a wedding invitation, there are a few different ways to format it depending on how traditional or formal the event is.

Traditional Wedding Invitations

For a traditional wedding invitation, the time of day is written out in full, with no numerals. For example, if your wedding begins at 3:30 p.m., you would write "half after three o'clock". If the time is on the hour, you would simply write "four o'clock", for instance.

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 all lowercase letters.

You don't need to write "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening" unless the wedding is scheduled for 8, 9, or 10 a.m. or p.m. (where there could be confusion over whether it's morning or evening). If you'd like to include these phrases, note that any time after 5 p.m. is considered evening, and between noon and 4:30 p.m. is the afternoon. And if your wedding will take place at 12 p.m., just write "noon".

Less Formal Wedding Invitations

If you're hosting a more casual event, you can write the time in a less formal way. For example, if your wedding is on Saturday, June 21st, 2025, you can write the time as "4pm" or "5:30pm". 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.

Other Considerations

You may also make decisions based on the layout of your invitations. Working with a stationer can help you figure out what looks and sounds best.

Add reception details

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the goal is to provide your guests with enough information so that they know when and where your big day will take place. Here are some tips and examples to help you add reception details to your wedding invitations:

Reception Details for Separate Venues:

If your wedding ceremony and reception are held at separate venues, you will need to include a separate reception card with your invitation suite. This card should outline the details of the reception, including the name and address of the venue, as well as the start and end times. Here is an example:

"Please join us for drinks, dinner, and dancing immediately following the ceremony.

The Foundry at Herban Feast

4136 First Avenue South

Seattle, Washington"

Reception Details for an Intimate Ceremony:

If you are having a smaller, intimate wedding ceremony followed by a larger reception, you will need to create two guest lists: one for guests invited to both the ceremony and reception, and one for guests invited to the reception only. It is considered poor etiquette not to invite ceremony guests to the reception. For guests invited to the reception only, you can include a card with your invitation suite that says:

"You are invited to a reception celebrating the marriage of Ross & Rachel.

Join us for hors d'oeuvres, drinks, dessert, and dancing.

Houston Hall

222 W Houston Street

New York, NY 10014"

Reception Details for a Destination Wedding:

If you are having a destination wedding, it is a good idea to send out save-the-date cards early, including recommended online travel information. You may also need extra mailing time for invitations and an alternate/online reply method for guests. Your reception invitation can include wording such as:

"We are happy to announce that Jane Doe and Anne Deere were married in a private ceremony on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023, in Lake Como, Italy.

Please come celebrate at their reception on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, at 2:00 in the afternoon.

8244 Pennington Court

Jamaica, NY 11432"

General Tips for Adding Reception Details:

• Include all the necessary information: Location, address, attire or dress code, and after-party details if applicable.
• Be clear about the timing: If the reception follows the ceremony, you can simply say "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow." If the reception is at a different time or location, specify the start time and venue address.
• Match the level of formality: The wording and style of your reception details should match the formality of your wedding and invitation style. For a casual wedding, you can be more relaxed and informal, while a black-tie wedding calls for more traditional and formal language.
• Consider including RSVP cards: You will need to know how many guests to expect, so don't forget to include RSVP cards with a deadline for guests to respond.

Provide venue information

The venue's name and address should be included in the invitation. The street address is usually not included unless the venue is a private residence or omitting it may cause confusion. The venue's city and state should be written out in full. If the wedding is taking place abroad, include the country as well.

If the reception is at the same location as the ceremony, you can simply write "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow". If the reception is at a different location, you can include the full address and other pertinent information on a separate details card tucked in with the main invitation.

If the reception is not immediately following the ceremony, include the time.

Examples

• "The Ritz-Carlton, 1000 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, New York. Dinner and dancing to follow."
• "Ceremony at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Newport, California. Reception immediately following."
• "Gulf Beach Resort Motel, Sarasota, FL. Reception to follow."
• "The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek, Colorado. Black tie invited."

Frequently asked questions