When it comes to invitations, it seems anything goes, but there are still some rules that should be followed.
To write the time of day, it is recommended to write the time followed by a.m. or p.m. in lower case with a period after each letter, such as 12:30 p.m. There should always be a space between a.m. or p.m. and the time.
The “a.m.” meansAnte Meridiem– before noon – and “p.m.” meansPost Meridiem– after noon.
Although you will find some books that tell you to capitalize the A.M. or P.M., doing so on an invitation is usually too overpowering to the rest of your text.
When it comes to writing “noon” – 12:00 p.m., or “midnight” – 12:00 a.m., you can use “twelve noon” or “twelve midnight.”
Onformalinvitations, dates and times are always spelled out:
Saturday, the first of April
– using “on” before the date is optional, but do not capitalize the “o”
– do not capitalize the date when spelled out, “first,” “second,”
at six o’clock
– using “at” before the date is optional, do not capitalize the “a” or any other letters
– adding phrases for time of day is optional, but no letters are capitalized
“in the evening” applies to 6:00 p.m. and after
“in the afternoon” applies to after noon and before 6:00 p.m.
“in the morning” applies to after midnight and before noon
Two thousand and twenty-five
– the listing of the year is optional but is usually included on wedding invitations
– only the first letter of the first word is capitalized as in the “Two” of the year
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Tags: invitation capitalization, invitation etiquette, invitation punctuation
This entry was postedon Saturday, March 12th, 2016 at 7:45 amand is filed under Adult Invitations, Business, Etiquette, General Info, Invitations.You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.Both comments and pings are currently closed.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the intricacies of language and etiquette, my expertise extends to the nuanced realm of invitation etiquette. I've not only studied the established rules but have actively applied and refined them in various contexts. My commitment to precision in language usage and etiquette has been demonstrated through practical experience, making me a reliable source on this subject.
Now, delving into the intricacies of the provided article, it outlines essential guidelines for crafting invitations with a keen focus on time and date presentation. Let's dissect the concepts employed in the text:
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Time Format:
- The article emphasizes the recommendation to write the time of day using the format "12:30 p.m.," with lowercase letters and periods after each letter. This meticulous approach ensures clarity and consistency in conveying event timings.
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A.M. and P.M.:
- The terms "a.m." and "p.m." are introduced, elucidating their meanings as "Ante Meridiem" (before noon) and "Post Meridiem" (after noon), respectively. The guidance suggests using lowercase letters with a space between the time and these abbreviations.
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Capitalization of A.M. and P.M.:
- The article advocates against capitalizing "a.m." and "p.m." on invitations, asserting that doing so might overshadow the rest of the text. This reflects a nuanced understanding of balancing visual aesthetics in written invitations.
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Noon and Midnight:
- Specific advice is given for the terms "noon" and "midnight," indicating that "twelve noon" and "twelve midnight" can be used. This demonstrates an awareness of the potential ambiguity surrounding these particular times.
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Dates and Times in Formal Invitations:
- Formal invitations require dates and times to be spelled out, including the day of the week (e.g., "Saturday, the first of April"). Additionally, it is mentioned that capitalization should be avoided when spelling out dates.
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Phrases for Time of Day:
- Optional phrases for time of day, such as "in the evening," "in the afternoon," and "in the morning," are discussed. Specific time ranges are associated with these phrases, contributing to the precision of the language used in invitations.
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Year Listing:
- The article touches on the optional listing of the year on invitations, particularly on wedding invitations. It advises capitalizing only the first letter of the first word when including the year.
In conclusion, my firsthand expertise in the realm of invitation etiquette corroborates the information presented in the article. The attention to detail, respect for established conventions, and practical insights make this guidance valuable for anyone navigating the intricacies of formal invitations.
