Understanding Wedding Invite Timing And Its Importance

When it comes to wedding invites, there's a lot to consider. From the date to the time, you want to ensure your guests have enough information to be able to arrive on time. But what exactly is invite time? Do you put the time you want guests to arrive, or the time the ceremony will officially begin? Well, it depends on who you ask. Some people suggest putting the actual start time on the invite, while others recommend adding a buffer of 15 minutes or even 30 minutes to avoid latecomers. Ultimately, the decision is up to you, but it's essential to consider the potential consequences of each choice and the impact on your guests.

How to write the date and time on a wedding invitation

When writing the date and time on a wedding invitation, it's important to provide clear and consistent information for your guests. Here are some guidelines to help you with the wording:

Writing the Date:

The traditional way to write the date on a formal wedding invitation is to spell out the day of the week, the date, and the year in full. For example, "Saturday, the twenty-sixth of October two thousand twenty-four". The day of the week should be capitalised, and there should be a comma between the day and the date. If the date falls between the 21st and 31st of the month, use a hyphen between the tens and ones place. The year is usually on a separate line, without any commas or hyphens.

For a more casual wedding, you can write the date more informally, such as "Saturday, May 17th, 2025". Alternatively, you may choose to use numerals as a design choice, for instance, "Saturday, August 15th, 2026". Just remember to maintain consistency with the date formatting on any enclosures, such as RSVP cards.

Writing the Time:

When it comes to writing the time on your wedding invitation, there are several options depending on the formality of your event. For traditional wedding invitations, write out the time in full, without numerals. For example, "half after three o'clock" for 3:30 pm. If the time is on the hour, simply write "four o'clock" for 4:00 pm. Formal wedding invitations traditionally use the phrase "half after" instead of "half past". The time should be written in lowercase letters.

You don't need to specify "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening" unless the wedding is scheduled for 8, 9, or 10 o'clock, where there could be confusion. Any time after 5 pm is considered the evening, and between noon and 4:30 pm is the afternoon. For noon, simply write "twelve o'clock noon".

For a more casual wedding, you can write the time using numerals, such as "4pm" or "5:30pm". Just ensure that the formality of the time matches that of the date.

Including Start Times:

Typically, the main wedding invitation includes only the date and time of the ceremony. If your reception follows immediately in the same location, you can add "reception to follow" or "dinner and dancing to follow" at the bottom of the invitation. However, if the reception is at a different time or location, include a separate reception card with your invitation suite to share these details.

It is generally recommended to pad the ceremony start time by about 10 to 15 minutes to allow guests to arrive, find their seats, and file in at a comfortable pace. This is especially important if you're serving pre-ceremony drinks or if guests need to walk a considerable distance from the entrance to the ceremony area. However, be mindful that starting too much earlier than the stated time may inconvenience punctual guests and cause confusion.

Handling Latecomers:

While it's important to accommodate late arrivals to some extent, it's generally not advisable to wait indefinitely for stragglers. Work with your venue, wedding planner, or coordinator to determine the best strategy for handling latecomers without disrupting the ceremony. You may also want to include a note on your invitation, such as "kindly be seated by [time]" to encourage guests to arrive and be seated promptly.

In conclusion, when writing the date and time on your wedding invitations, consider the formality of your event, provide clear and consistent information, and allow for some flexibility in guest arrival times. Remember that the goal is to ensure your guests have the information they need to arrive on time and enjoy your special day with you!

Should you write an earlier start time on the wedding invite?

When it comes to wedding invites, timing is everything. While it is customary to start the ceremony on the hour, it is not uncommon for couples to print an earlier start time on their invitations to ensure that guests don't arrive late. This is especially useful if you have guests who are prone to lateness or if your wedding is scheduled during busy travel times.

However, it is generally recommended that you do not pad the time by more than 15 minutes. This is to ensure that your on-time guests do not get bored or feel that they have been misled about the start time. It is also worth noting that most wedding guests are aware that they need to arrive early, so they may show up 30 minutes before the ceremony to find their seats.

If you are concerned about guests arriving too early, you can include a note on your invitation requesting that they take their seats by a certain time. For example, "please ensure you take your seats by 1:45 pm" or "ceremony at 2 pm, please arrive by 1:30 pm". This way, you can ensure that your guests are not waiting around for too long before the ceremony begins.

Ultimately, the decision to write an earlier start time on your wedding invites is a personal one. However, it is important to consider the potential consequences of doing so, such as guests feeling misled or having to wait too long for the ceremony to begin.

What time should guests arrive at a wedding?

When it comes to wedding invites, the general rule of thumb is to advise guests to arrive 15-30 minutes before the ceremony begins. This allows a little leeway for guests to arrive late, find their seats and file in at an appropriate pace. If you're serving pre-ceremony drinks, you can usually get away with suggesting guests arrive 20 to 30 minutes early, but you'll need ushers to encourage guests to be seated about five minutes before starting the ceremony.

If all your guests will be arriving via shuttle, you can get away with a shorter window of about 10 to 15 minutes from the time the shuttles arrive to getting everyone seated. However, if guests are driving and parking themselves, you may want to allow a little more time and serve drinks on arrival.

It's important to note that you shouldn't write an earlier time on the invitation in an attempt to ensure that guests arrive on time. This can inconvenience the couple who may be taking first-look or pre-wedding photos and can be annoying for guests who arrive on time or early. Instead, you could include a note on the invitation or a separate details card that says something like: "the venue will open to guests at [time], guests are kindly asked to be seated by [time] for the prompt commencement of the ceremony at [time]".

If you're concerned about guests arriving late, you can also include the ceremony start time on your wedding website and reiterate that guests should arrive 15-30 minutes early.

What time should be written on the invite if the ceremony and reception are in different locations?

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. If your wedding ceremony and reception are at the same location, you can simply write "reception to follow" or "dinner and dancing to follow" on the invitation. However, if the reception is at a different location, it's best to include a separate reception card as part of your invitation suite to share all of the details.

• Spell out the time: On formal wedding invitations, it is customary to spell out the time in words rather than using numerals. For example, write "three o'clock in the afternoon" or "half past four in the evening" instead of "3 p.m." or "4:30 p.m.". This tradition is reserved only for addresses on wedding invitations.
• Be clear about the time of day: Specify whether the wedding will take place in the morning, afternoon, or evening to avoid any confusion. This is especially important if your wedding is scheduled for 8, 9, or 10 o'clock, where guests might be unsure if it is morning or evening.
• Consider the formality of your wedding: The wording of your invitation should reflect the formality of your wedding. More formal, black-tie weddings call for traditional language, while casual weddings can be more relaxed and informal in their invitation wording.
• Include separate start times for the ceremony and reception: If the reception is at a different location or several hours after the ceremony, provide separate start times for each. This will help your guests plan their transportation and ensure they don't miss any part of the celebration.
• Be consistent with the date and time format: Ensure that the format of the date and time on your invitation matches the formality of your wedding. For example, don't write out the date fully and then use numerals for the time. Consistency creates a cohesive and elegant look for your invitation suite.
• Provide additional details: If there are specific instructions or important information regarding the timing of your wedding, include this on your wedding website or in additional enclosure cards with your invitation suite. For example, you can note that the bar will be open from a certain time or request that guests be seated by a particular time.

How much time should you give guests to arrive if they're driving themselves?

When it comes to wedding invites, the general rule of thumb is to advise guests to arrive 15-30 minutes before the ceremony begins. This is to allow a little leeway for guests to run late, find their seats and file in at an appropriate pace.

However, if your guests are driving themselves to the venue, you may want to allow a little more time and serve non-alcoholic drinks or glasses of bubbly on arrival. This is especially true if your venue is difficult to find, or if guests are likely to encounter heavy traffic en route. It's worth noting that some sources advise against this, as it can inconvenience the couple who may be taking first-look or pre-wedding photos.

If you're worried about guests arriving too early, you could add a note to your invitations, such as: "please ensure you take your seats in the ceremony room by [time]" or "the venue will open to guests at [time]". You could also include a separate reception card as part of your invitation suite, which shares additional timing details.

Frequently asked questions