Crafting The Perfect Wedding Invitation Timing

Writing the time on a wedding invitation can be a tricky task, with many nuances to consider. The traditional way to write the time is to spell out the numbers and include o'clock, for example, four o'clock. However, for half-hour times, you would write half after four o'clock or half past four o'clock, instead of four thirty. The time of day, such as in the morning, in the afternoon, or in the evening, should also be included for clarity. Formal invitations tend to follow stricter rules, while casual invites allow for more flexibility and informality.

Spell out the time

When it comes to wedding invitations, spelling out the time is generally reserved for formal events. If you're having a laid-back, modern or informal ceremony, it's perfectly acceptable to use numerals, for example, "3 p.m." or "4:30 p.m.". However, if you're aiming for a more traditional vibe, there are a few rules to follow.

Firstly, always spell out the numbers and include "o'clock". For example, "half after four o'clock" or simply "four o'clock". It's worth noting that it's "half after", not "half past". If your wedding is at 12 p.m., just write "noon".

You'll also want to specify whether it's morning, afternoon or evening. Morning is any time up until 12 noon, afternoon is from 12 noon to 5 p.m., and evening starts at 5 p.m. (although some say 6 p.m.). So, for example, "eleven o'clock in the morning", "half after four o'clock in the afternoon", or "seven o'clock in the evening".

The time of day should be written in lowercase, and you don't need to include "am" or "pm".

If your wedding is more on the casual side, you can still write out the time in words, but you can be a little more relaxed. For example, "4pm" or "5:30pm". Just remember to match the formality of the time with the date—if you've written out the date in full, don't switch to numerals for the time.

Finally, consider the layout of your invitations and work with a stationer to ensure your invites look and sound their best.

Include the day, month, and year

When writing the date on a wedding invitation, it is important to include the day, month, and year. While you can break with tradition, here is the conventional way to format the date:

Firstly, always write out the day of the week, the number of the month, and the full month. For example, "Saturday, the tenth of May". The day of the week and the month should be capitalised, but the day of the month should not. Compound numbers, such as May 28th, are written with a hyphen: "Saturday, the TWENTY-EIGHTH of May". It is also possible to write "Saturday, May twenty-eighth", though this is a little less traditional.

Secondly, always write out the number of the year in full. For example, "two thousand sixteen". There is no "and" in the year, so never write "two thousand and sixteen". Nothing in the year should be capitalised. The year is usually printed on a separate line from the day and month, though your invitation style may require a different format.

If you are hosting a casual wedding, you can afford to be more relaxed and informal. For example, if your wedding is on Sunday, May 17th, 2025, you could write "Saturday, May 17th, 2025". Alternatively, you may wish to use numerals as a design choice.

Use half after instead of half past

When writing the time on a wedding invitation, it is important to consider the level of formality of the event. While casual events can be more relaxed in their language, formal invitations require a more traditional approach.

If you are aiming for a traditional, formal tone, it is customary to write out the time in full, using "half after" for half-hour times, rather than "half past" or "four-thirty". For example, for a wedding taking place at 3:30 pm, you would write, "at half after three o'clock".

The use of "half after" is considered the most traditional and formal way to indicate time on a wedding invitation. It is worth noting that "half past" is also acceptable, particularly for less formal events, and can be written as "at half past four in the afternoon".

However, it is important to maintain consistency in the level of formality throughout the invitation. If you choose to write out the time in full, ensure that the date is also written out, rather than using numerals. For example, for a wedding on Saturday, June 21st, 2025, at 5:30 pm, you could write:

"Saturday, the twenty-first of June, two thousand and twenty-five, at half after five o'clock."

Alternatively, for a more modern or informal ceremony, you may opt for a more concise approach, using numerals for both the date and time, such as:

"Saturday, 6/21/25, 5:30 pm."

Remember, the invitation is a guide for your guests, giving them an idea of the tone and formality of your wedding. Whether you choose to use "half after" or "half past", ensure you are consistent and consider working with a stationer to achieve the best result.

Specify the time of day

When writing the time of day on a wedding invitation, it's important to consider the formality of your wedding and invitation. Here are some guidelines to help you specify the time of day in 4-6 paragraphs:

Traditional and Formal Weddings:

For traditional and formal weddings, it is customary to write out the time of day in full, using words instead of numerals. For example, if your wedding begins at 3:30 p.m., you would write "half after three o'clock" or “half past three o'clock". Avoid using “o'clock” for times that are not on the hour, such as "half past three o'clock in the afternoon". The time should be written in lowercase letters, and you should include "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening" to specify the time of day. Noon can simply be written as "noon", without specifying the time of day.

Informal Weddings:

For informal weddings, you have more flexibility in how you write the time. You can use numerals and abbreviate the time, such as "4:30 p.m." or "5:30 p.m.". However, if you choose to write out the time in full, follow the same guidelines as formal invitations, such as "half past five in the afternoon" or "seven-thirty in the evening".

Reception Times:

If your wedding ceremony and reception are at the same location and immediately following each other, there is no need to include a specific time for the reception. You can simply write "reception immediately following" or "reception to follow". However, if the reception is at a different time or location, include a separate reception card with the time written out, such as "Cocktails, dinner, and dancing beginning at six o'clock in the evening".

Avoiding Late Guests:

To ensure your guests arrive on time, you may consider printing an earlier start time on your invitations. For example, if your ceremony starts at 5:00 p.m., you could print 4:45 p.m. on the invitation. However, it is generally not recommended to pad the time by more than 15 minutes to avoid keeping your punctual guests waiting.

Working with a Stationer:

Finally, consider working with a stationer to help you determine the best wording and format for your wedding invitations. They can guide you in ensuring your invitations are consistent, clear, and elegant.

Include reception details

The main wedding invitation should include the date, time, and location of the ceremony, as well as a short line about the reception. If your wedding ceremony and reception are at the same location and are following each other immediately, a simple "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" is sufficient.

However, if your reception takes place a few hours after your ceremony or is at a different location, it's essential to include a separate reception card with your invitation. This card should specify the time and location of the reception. For example:

> Cocktails, dinner, and dancing beginning at six o'clock in the evening

> Please join us for a reception at six o'clock in the evening. JW Marriott Houston Downtown, 806 Main Street, Houston, Texas

If there will be a gap between the ceremony and the reception, you can include more details about the reception on a details card. This is also useful if your ceremony and reception are at different locations. Your details card can include information such as:

• Dress code
• COVID protocols
• Travel and accommodation information (hotel blocks, parking info, shuttles, etc.)
• A link to your wedding website

If you are doing online RSVPs, make sure to mention how and when guests should respond on your details card.

Frequently asked questions