June Wedding Dates: Invitation Etiquette

When it comes to wedding invitations, the details matter. The way you write the date and time can set the tone for your entire celebration. The traditional way to write the date on a formal wedding invitation is to spell out the day, month, and year. Numbers are not typically used, except in the year. For example, for a wedding taking place on the 16th of May 2023, the date should be written as Saturday, the sixteenth of May, two thousand twenty-three.

Spell out the date, day, month and year

When writing the date, day, month and year on a wedding invitation, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you follow the traditional invitation etiquette. Firstly, it is recommended to always write out the numbers and spell them out. For example, instead of writing "5", you would write "five". This rule applies to the date, day of the week, month and year. The day of the week and the month are capitalised, while the year and numerical date are not.

"Saturday, the twenty-ninth of June, two thousand twelve"

In this example, "Saturday" is the day of the week, which is capitalised. "The twenty-ninth" is the numerical date, written in words with a hyphen between the tens and the ones place. "Of June" is the month, which is also written in words and capitalised. Finally, "two thousand twelve" is the year, written in words with no hyphen.

It is important to note that there is some flexibility in how you choose to write the date, especially if you are having a more casual or modern wedding. For example, you could choose to use numerals for the date and time or write "May twenty-eighth" instead of "the twenty-eighth of May". Ultimately, you can choose the format that best fits your event and your personal preference.

Capitalise the day of the week and the month

When writing the date for a wedding invitation, there are a few things to keep in mind, especially if you're aiming for a traditional and formal style. Firstly, capitalising the day of the week and the month is essential. For example, if your wedding is on a Saturday in June, you would write "Saturday, the [day] of June [year]." Here's a breakdown:

Capitalising the Day of the Week

The day of the week should always be capitalised in a formal wedding invitation. For instance, "Saturday, the sixteenth of May" or "Friday, the twenty-ninth of April". This gives a clear indication of when the event will take place. However, if your invitation font is all uppercase or lowercase, you can forgo this rule.

Capitalising the Month

Similarly, the month should also be capitalised. For a wedding in June, it would be "the [day] of June." Ensure that you spell out the month in full rather than using abbreviations or numerals. This follows traditional invitation etiquette and adds a touch of elegance to your invitations.

Additional Tips

When writing the date, it's best to avoid using numerals and instead spell out the date in full. This helps to avoid any potential confusion. For example, write "Saturday, the sixteenth of June two thousand twenty-three" instead of "Saturday, 6/16/2023".

You can also include the day of the week, which provides an immediate understanding of the event date. However, this is optional and may be omitted if desired. Remember that the year is usually written on a separate line, and there should be no comma between the month and the year.

While these guidelines are recommended for formal invitations, casual invitations offer more flexibility. You may choose to use numerals for the date if it suits your invitation style. Ultimately, the key is to provide clear and specific information to ensure your guests have all the details they need.

Include the day of the week

Including the day of the week on your wedding invitation is a traditional and practical choice. It provides clear information to your guests and sets the tone for your event. For a June wedding, you have the option to emphasize the seasonality and charm of a summer celebration or opt for a more formal and elegant approach. Here are some ways to include the day of the week:

Emphasizing the Season

If you're embracing the summer vibe, you might write, "On a warm summer's evening, join us as we exchange our vows." This invites guests to envision a relaxed, seasonal celebration. You could also go with a playful tone: "Kick off your shoes and join us on the beach as we say 'I do' on Saturday, the fourth of June." Including the day of the week ensures clarity, especially if you're hosting a destination wedding or a multi-day event.

Formal and Elegant

For a more formal affair, you might prefer a traditional and elegant approach: "Saturday, the fourth of June, two thousand and twenty-three." This format is classic and easy to understand. Alternatively, you could write out the full date: "Saturday, the fourth day of June, in the year two thousand and twenty-three." This phrasing adds a touch of formality and sophistication to your invitation.

Creative and Whimsical

If your wedding has a creative or whimsical theme, you can reflect this in the way you write the date. For example, "On the sun-kissed Saturday of June's first weekend, we invite you to share in our joy." This poetic phrasing adds a touch of magic and sets the scene for a unique celebration. Another idea is to incorporate a quote or verse: "And so, with joyful hearts, we invite you to join us on Saturday, the fourth of June, as we begin our forever."

Multi-Day Celebration

In the case of a multi-day celebration, it's especially important to include the day of the week to provide clarity for your guests. You might write, "Welcome dinner: Friday, the third of June. Wedding ceremony and reception: Saturday, the fourth of June." This ensures that your guests are well-informed and can plan their attendance accordingly.

Including the day of the week on your wedding invitation provides essential context and sets the tone for your special day. Whether you choose a seasonal, formal, creative, or informative approach, your guests will appreciate the clear and charming presentation of your wedding date.

Write out the time in words

When writing the time on a wedding invitation, it is recommended to write out the time in words, rather than using numbers. For example, if your wedding is at 3:30 p.m., you would write "half after three o'clock". If your wedding is on the hour, you would write "three o'clock".

It is also 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 do not have to write "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening", unless the wedding is scheduled for 8, 9 or 10 am or pm, where there could be some confusion over whether it is morning or evening. If your wedding is at 12 pm, simply write "noon".

If you are having a more casual wedding, you can be more flexible and may choose to use numbers for the time, for example, "4pm" or "5:30 pm". However, remember that the date and time should match in formality—don't write out the date fully and then use numerals for the time.

• 10:00 am: Ten o'clock in the morning
• 11:00 am: Eleven o'clock in the morning
• 12:00 pm: Noon
• 1:30 pm: Half after one o'clock in the afternoon
• 4:00 pm: Four o'clock in the afternoon
• 5:30 pm: Half after five o'clock in the evening
• 7:00 pm: Seven o'clock in the evening
• 10:00 pm: Ten o'clock in the evening

Include o'clock when writing the time

When writing the time on a wedding invitation, it is important to provide clear and concise information for your guests. Including the word 'o'clock' is a traditional and precise way to convey the time, leaving no room for ambiguity.

For a formal wedding invitation, it is customary to write out the time using words rather than numbers. Spelling out the time in this way adds a touch of elegance and tradition to your invitation. For example, you could write, "The wedding ceremony will commence at four o'clock in the afternoon." This format leaves no room for confusion and provides a clear indication of the time.

If your wedding falls on a date where the time changes from daylight savings to standard time (or vice versa), it is especially important to be clear about the time. In this case, you may want to include both the time and the time zone. For instance, "The wedding will take place at two o'clock Mountain Standard Time." This ensures that all guests, regardless of their location, will be synchronized and arrive at the correct time.

For a more casual or modern wedding invitation, you may choose to combine words and numbers or use a purely numeric time. For example, "4:00 pm" or "4 o'clock." Including 'o'clock' in these formats still provides a friendly and inviting tone while maintaining clarity. This option is particularly useful if space on your invitation is limited but you still want to maintain a traditional element.

In conclusion, including 'o'clock' when writing the time on your wedding invitation ensures your guests have a clear understanding of the timing of your special day. It adds a nice traditional touch to your invitation and can be adapted to suit various styles, from formal to more casual affairs. Providing an explicit time helps to ensure punctuality and synchronization, allowing your guests to plan their attendance accordingly.

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