How do I say 4:30 PM on a wedding invite?

The most traditional way is to write the time in words: "at half past four in the afternoon". This feels elegant and matches the formal tone of a wedding invitation. You can also write "at four thirty in the afternoon" if you prefer.

If you want to use numbers, write "at 4.30 in the afternoon" with a full stop, not a colon, as British English uses a full stop. Avoid "4:30 PM" because the colon and capital letters look less polished, and "PM" can be confusing if the ceremony is early evening.

For a ceremony at 4.30, you might also add the reception time on a separate line, for example "Reception to follow at 6.30 in the evening". This helps guests plan their day.

If your ceremony is at a different time, use the same style throughout the invitation. Consistency matters more than the exact wording. You can also write "at half past four" without "in the afternoon" if the invitation already says the date and the context is clear, but adding the time of day is helpful for guests travelling from far away.