Rhiannon Hendricks
Wedding planning is a complex affair, and one of the most important aspects is the wedding invitation. The invitation sets the tone for the event and provides essential information for the guests. One common dilemma faced by couples is determining the appropriate time to indicate on their wedding invitations, especially when it comes to evening invitations. Evening wedding invitations are typically sent to guests who will be joining only for the evening reception and not the full day. This article will explore the nuances of indicating the correct time on evening wedding invitations, taking into account cultural considerations, formatting guidelines, and strategies for managing guest punctuality.
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What You'll Learn
- Evening invitations are for guests joining you for the evening party only
- Send evening invitations no later than 8-12 weeks before the wedding
- Be clear about arrival time to avoid guests turning up late
- Include an order of the day timeline in your invitations
- Time should be spelled out, not written in numerals
Evening invitations are for guests joining you for the evening party only
Evening wedding invitations are for guests who will be joining you for the evening party only. They are usually sent to guests who are unable to attend the wedding ceremony and daytime celebrations. This could be due to space or budget constraints, or simply because you would like a more intimate gathering for the earlier parts of your wedding.
When it comes to sending out evening invitations, there are no hard and fast rules. You can send them at the same time as your day invitations, or you can wait a little later. If you send your day invitations early, you might choose to send your evening invitations 6 to 8 weeks after. This gives you more time to finalise your guest list and receive replies from your day guests. It also means your evening guests, who may be colleagues or more recent friends, have enough time to plan without needing to book time off work or accommodation.
Evening invitations should ideally be sent no later than 8 to 12 weeks before the wedding. This ensures you have enough time to receive replies and confirm final numbers with your venue and caterers. If you are sending out Save the Date cards, these can be sent 6 to 12 months before the wedding, with invitations following 4 to 6 weeks later.
When it comes to wording your evening invitations, it is considered good etiquette to include an arrival time. This can be included in the main invitation text or as a separate note. For example, "Joanne & Richard would be delighted if Guest Name would join them to celebrate their marriage at Sant Ffraed House, Chepstow on Thursday, 21st August 2025, arrival 7.00pm." You may also wish to include additional timings such as the first dance or finish time.
Remember, the most important thing is clarity. You want to ensure your guests know when to arrive and what to expect. So, whether you choose to send your evening invitations at the same time as your day invitations or a little later, make sure you give your guests enough notice and provide all the necessary information.
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Send evening invitations no later than 8-12 weeks before the wedding
Evening wedding invitations are sent to guests who will be joining you for your evening party only. If you are sending ''all-day' invitations, these can be sent out around eight months ahead of the wedding, and your evening invitations can be sent later, around 6 to 8 weeks after. This is because your evening guests are less likely to need to arrange time off work or book accommodation, so they won't need as much notice.
However, it's important to give your evening guests enough notice, especially if they do need to make travel arrangements. Sending your invites out too late runs the risk of not giving your guests enough time to plan. It's also important to give them enough time to RSVP, so you can get a final headcount and complete your seating charts. For this reason, it's recommended that you send your evening invitations no later than 8-12 weeks before the wedding. This will ensure that you have enough time to get your replies back and confirm all your final numbers with your venue and caterers.
There are no hard and fast rules, so do what's right for you and your wedding. If you are inviting out-of-town or out-of-state guests, it's customary to send invitations around eight weeks before the wedding. In this case, it's advisable to send all your invites at the same time, regardless of how many guests live out of town. If you are sending invitations to guests outside the US, it's recommended to send them 9-10 weeks in advance, or even up to a year in advance to allow for extended shipping and delivery times.
If you are sending save-the-date cards, these should be sent 6-12 months before the wedding, and invitations should be sent 4-6 weeks before. It's also important to consider the time of year when sending your invitations. For example, if your wedding is around a major holiday, it's a good idea to give guests more time to plan in advance.
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Be clear about arrival time to avoid guests turning up late
When it comes to wedding invitations, it's essential to be crystal clear about the arrival time to ensure your guests arrive promptly and the event stays on schedule. Here are some instructive tips to achieve just that:
Firstly, it's advisable to specify the arrival time on your invitations. This can be done by including a phrase such as "arrival at 12:30 pm" or "please arrive by 12:30 pm to be seated for the ceremony." Being explicit about the arrival time sets clear expectations and reduces the chances of guests turning up late. It also demonstrates respect for your guests' time and ensures they are not left guessing or confused about when to arrive.
However, it's worth noting that some guests may have a tendency to arrive at the last minute or even a few minutes late. To account for this, some couples choose to include an earlier start time on their invitations. For example, if the ceremony starts at 1:00 pm, you could put 12:30 pm on the invitation to encourage early arrivals. This buffer helps accommodate any stragglers and ensures the event can begin on time.
Another strategy to encourage timely arrivals is to provide a detailed timeline of the day's events. This could include specific times for welcome drinks, the ceremony, first dance, and even the finish time. By offering a comprehensive schedule, guests can better plan their attendance and are more likely to arrive punctually. It also adds a personal touch and gives guests a sense of what to expect during the celebration.
While it's essential to be clear about arrival time, it's also crucial to maintain a cohesive tone throughout your invitation suite. If a more casual vibe suits your style, feel free to modernise the wording. For instance, instead of "o'clock," you can use "pm" or "am." However, ensure that the chosen format is consistent across all invitation materials.
Finally, don't forget to consider the timing of sending out your evening wedding invitations. These are typically sent to guests who will be joining you for the evening party only. It's recommended to send these invitations no later than eight to twelve weeks before the wedding. This allows enough time to receive responses and finalise numbers for venue and catering arrangements.
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Include an order of the day timeline in your invitations
When it comes to wedding invitations, there are many factors to consider, from the tone and style to the specific wording and timeline of events. Including an order of the day timeline in your wedding invitations is a helpful way to illustrate key timings for your guests. Here are some tips and suggestions for creating a clear and informative timeline for your wedding day:
Keep it concise and simple
It is advisable to provide a short and straightforward timeline with 3 to 5 essential items. For instance, for evening invitations, you can mention the arrival time, which is more flexible than the ceremony start time. You may also include additional timings such as the first dance and the finish time, which will help your guests plan their evening.
Provide clear and specific timings
When mentioning times on your wedding invitations, it is essential to be clear and specific. For example, instead of simply stating "Reception immediately following the ceremony," you can specify the time, such as "Reception at 6:00 p.m. immediately following the ceremony." This provides a more precise schedule for your guests.
Consider including arrival and ceremony times
To ensure punctuality, you may want to add an arrival time next to the ceremony time. For example, "Joanne & Richard request the pleasure of your company to celebrate their marriage at Sant Ffraed House, Chepstow, on Thursday, August 21st, 2025. Arrival at 12:30 p.m. | Ceremony at 1:00 p.m. Reception to follow." This provides a clear schedule for your guests and helps manage expectations.
Maintain consistency in formatting
When mentioning dates and times on your wedding invitations and accessory cards, ensure that the formatting is consistent. For example, if you spell out the time, spell out the date as well. Alternatively, if you use numerals for the time, use numerals for the date as well. Maintaining consistency creates a cohesive and polished look for your wedding stationery.
Send invitations with ample notice
It is considerate to send your wedding invitations four to eight weeks before the wedding, and six to twelve months in advance if sending Save the Date cards. This gives your guests enough time to plan, especially if they need to make travel arrangements or special accommodations. For destination weddings, it is advisable to send invitations even earlier, around six months in advance.
Finalise the invitation timeline early
When planning your wedding, it is essential to give yourself enough time to finalise the invitation timeline. This includes deciding on the invitation design, wording, and any additional information you want to include. By planning early, you can ensure that your invitations are sent out on time and that your guests have all the necessary details to join you on your special day.
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Time should be spelled out, not written in numerals
When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few different ways to indicate the time of the event. Some sources suggest that the time should be spelled out in full, rather than using numerals. For example, "five o'clock" instead of "5:00". This is considered the most formal and traditional way to write the time and date on a wedding invitation. It is also considered more elegant and timeless.
However, other sources suggest that it is acceptable to use numerals when indicating the time, especially for casual weddings. For example, "4:30 p.m." instead of "four thirty in the afternoon". This is also considered acceptable, as long as the time is followed by "a.m." or "p.m." and the overall tone of the invitation is cohesive.
It is worth noting that, regardless of the format chosen, it is important to provide clear timing information for guests. This includes indicating whether the time is on the hour or not, and specifying whether the event will take place in the morning, afternoon, or evening. For example, "half after five o'clock" or "five thirty".
Additionally, it is common to include an arrival time or an order of the day timeline on wedding invitations to provide further clarity for guests. This can include specific timings for key moments, such as the first dance or the end of the reception. Ultimately, the decision of how to indicate the time on a wedding invitation comes down to personal preference and the desired style of the invitation.
- Formal invitation: "The ceremony will begin at five o'clock in the afternoon."
- Casual invitation: "Please arrive by 5:00 p.m. for cocktails and mingling before the ceremony."
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Frequently asked questions
It's up to you, but evening wedding receptions usually start after 6 pm. You can include an order of the day timeline in your invitations, including 3-5 timings, such as the arrival time, first dance, and finish time.
Time should be spelled out in lowercase, followed by "o'clock" if the time is on the hour. For other times, use hyphenation (e.g., "two-thirty"). Time should be followed by "in the morning," "noon," "in the afternoon," "in the evening," or "midnight."
Wedding invitation etiquette states that it's best to put the actual start time of your wedding on the invitation. However, you can add a line such as "Ceremony begins promptly at half after five o'clock" or "Please arrive early to be seated by five twenty-five."
Evening wedding invitations can be sent 6-12 weeks before the wedding. They can be sent at the same time as the day invitations or later. Evening guests are less likely to need as much time to plan.
