What time should I put on my wedding invitation?

The main time on your invitation should be the time the ceremony begins. That is the moment your guests need to be seated, not the time they should arrive. Most couples write something like '2.30pm ceremony' and then add 'guests are asked to arrive by 2.15pm' below. This gives everyone a clear window. If you are having a drinks reception or meal after the ceremony, you do not need to put that time on the invitation. Guests will naturally follow the flow of the day, and you can mention the reception time on a separate card or on your wedding website. For evening-only guests, put a clear time such as '7.30pm for 8pm' or 'evening reception from 7.30pm'. This tells them when to arrive and when food or dancing will start. Avoid putting just 'reception to follow' without a time, as guests may not know how long the ceremony will last. If you are having a religious ceremony, check with your place of worship whether they have any timing rules. For civil ceremonies, the registrar will confirm the exact ceremony time, and you should put that on the invitation. Always allow a little buffer, for example 15 minutes, so late guests do not miss the start.