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Invitations and stationery · Invitation wording

How to properly write time on an invitation?

Answered by the UK Wedding Websites editorial team · Updated 2026-10-12

Short answer

Write the time in words, for example four o'clock in the afternoon, or use figures like 4.00pm. Choose one style and use it consistently across all your stationery.

The clearest way is to write the time in words, such as "four o'clock in the afternoon" or "half past two in the afternoon". This looks elegant and avoids any confusion about morning or evening. If you prefer figures, write "4.00pm" or "2.30pm", with a full stop before the pm and no space. Avoid using "4:00 PM" with capital letters, as that is less common in UK invitations. Always state whether it is morning or afternoon, especially for a ceremony that could be mistaken for an evening event. If your ceremony is at a register office or approved venue, the registrar will confirm the exact time you need to arrive, so you can put that time on the invite. For a church wedding, the vicar or minister will set the time for the service. Remember that guests often need to travel and park, so giving a clear time helps them plan. You might also add "arrival from 3.30pm" if you want guests to be seated before the ceremony begins. Keep the same format on your save the dates, invitations and any online details.

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