Invitation Writing
An invitation is a request to an individual to come or go somewhere, or to do something.
This can be written for a marriage, engagement, graduation ceremony, exhibition, annual day, etc. It can
be a formal as well as an informal letter.
Note: Replying to invitations is essential. It is an essential courtesy to the host who has extended an
invitation and also helps the host know how many guests will arrive so that he/she may make
arrangements accordingly.
Invitations are of two types:
Invitations
Formal Invitations Informal Invitations
Printed Invitation Card Formal Typed (Handwritten)
Formal Invitations (Invitation Card letter): In a fixed format
1. Printed invitation cards:
a. Inviting guests on a particular occasion.
b. Such invitations do not include the name of the addressee.
2. Formal (Typed/Handwritten):
a. Letter addressed to a VIP invited to preside over a social, cultural and educational function.
b. In these invitations to VIPs the name of the addressee appears prominently.
Note: Formal invitations are formal and polite, pleasant and courteous.
Specifications:
A formal invitation is normally a single sentence presentation in third person.
1. Does not include the name of the addressees.
2. The invitation answers the questions who, whom, when, where, what time and for what, i.e.,
a. The occasion
b. Name(s) of the invitee
c. Name(s) of the host
d. Date, time and venue
3. Details like name, address of organizer, sponsor, the host must be included.
4. The abbreviation RSVP (French: repondez silvers plait) i.e. ‘Please reply’ is written below on the left
side with name(s), address and phone number of the host(s).
5. If a VIP is invited, then the name of the VIP should appear prominently.
6. Written in the third person. (except in the case of VIPs/chief guests)
7. Simple present tense is to be used.
8. Put the invitation into a box.
9. No signature, punctuation is required.
10. Length as per CBSE guidelines is limited to 50 words.
Format of Formal Invitations:
1. Name/Designation of the host
2. Name of the institution (If any)
3. Inviting lines
4. Occasion
5. Date, Time & Venue
6. Chief Guest (If any)
7. Contact Details
8. Special Instructions (If any) e.g. Dress code etc.
Format of Formal Invitation (Card/printed)
Name of the host/hosts HOSTS
request/requests the pleasure of your benign presence INVITING LINES
on the occasion of the (occasion or event name)
-----------------
---------------------------------------------------
Occasion/event details OCCASSION
Which include
-------------------------------------
----------------------Date-----------------------------
----------------------Time-----------------------------
----------------------Venue-----------------------------
R.S.V.P. Complimentary lines
Name of the hos/hosts ----------------------------
Contact details CONTACT DETAILS
Ques. You are Keshav from Jhotwara, Jaipur. Draft an invitation to be sent to friends and
relatives on the occasion of your daughter’s marriage. Prepare the invitation giving necessary details, in
not more than 50 words.
Mr. and Mrs. Keshav Gupta HOSTS
Request the pleasure of your benign presence INVITING LINES
on the occasion of the marriage of their daughter
Radhika
(D/o Mr. and Mrs. Keshav Gupta, Jaipur)
With OCCASSION
Krishna
(S/o Mr. and Mrs. Arvind Gupta)
On Saturday, February 22, 20XX
At DATE, TIME, VENUE
Rangoli Garden, Jaipur
R.S.V.P. With best compliments from
Mr. and Mrs. Keshav Gupta All Relatives and Friends
Contact No.: 9024XXXXXX CONTACT DETAILS
Format of Formal Invitation (Letter format)
Sender’s Name
Date
Receiver’s information
Subject: [Purpose of the Invitation]
Dear Sir/Madam,
Content
[Brief introduction of the event/occasion with key details such as the purpose, date, time, and venue.]
[Polite request for the invitee’s presence at the event.]
We look forward to your esteemed presence at the event.
Thank you,
Yours sincerely,
[Name of the Sender]
[Designation]
Ques. You are Sachin Bansal, the Head Boy of Springdales Public School, Gurgaon. Your school is holding an inter-
school T-20 cricket championship from 2 Oct. to 8 Oct., 20XX. Write a formal invitation to Sh. B.S. Bedi, the legendary
cricketer, to inaugurate the championship on 2 Oct. 20XX at 10 a.m. at your school grounds.
Answer:
Springdales Public School
Gurgaon
25 Sept. 20XX
Sh. B.S. Bedi
2/27 Jorbagh
New Delhi
Sub: Inauguration of Cricket Championship
Sir
Our school is holding an inter-school T-20 cricket championship from 2 Oct. to 8 Oct. 20XX. All the schools of the
area are likely to participate. Your presence in our midst will act as a catalyst and inspire us. You are requested to
inaugurate the championship on 2 Oct. 20XX at 10 a.m. in our school grounds.
Kindly confirm your availability by 30 Sept.
Yours faithfully,
Sachin Bansal
Head Boy
Ques. On 30th November, your school is going to hold its annual sports day. You want Mr. Dhanraj Pillai, a noted
hockey player to give away the prizes to the budding sportspersons of the school. Write a formal invitation in about 50
words requesting him to grace the occasion. You are Karuna/ Karan, Sports Secretary, Sunrise Global School, Agra.
Ans. Sunrise Global School
Agra
01 November, 20XX
Mr. Dhanraj Pillai
22, sun city
Agra
Subject – Invitation to preside over the prize distribution ceremony.
Sir
Our school is organizing its Annual Sports Day on 30th November, 20XX. Your gracious presence will act as a catalyst
and inspire us all. You are requested to hand over the prizes to the budding sportspersons of the school in our
school ground at 2 pm.
Kindly confirm your availability by 20, November.
Yours faithfully
Karuna/ Karan
Sports Secretary
Informal invitations (A letter or a note): Free hand writing
1. They generally take the shape and form of personal (informal) letters.
2. We use these to invite our friends, relatives and dear ones with whom we have intimate, personal
and friendly relations.
3. In informal invitations the tone and treatment is relaxed, informal and friendly.
Specifications
1. These are like short informal letters.
2. Written in a letter form (informal letter format).
3. Written in the first person.
4. Salutation is ‘dear + name’.
5. Complimentary close ‘Yours sincerely’.
6. Various tenses used to suit the sense.
7. These are always written in the first person.
8. Mention all necessary details like time and place.
Format:
1. Box
2. Sender’s address
3. Date
4. Salutation
5. Content
6. Closing phrases (Complimentary closes)
7. Name
8. Designation (Optional)
Ques. Write an invitation in not more than 50 words to your friend Rameshwari to spend her winter break with
you in Mumbai. You are Puja/Puneet of 25, M.G. Road, Mumbai. (COMPARTMENT 2018)
Ans.
25, M.G. Road
Mumbai
10 December, 20XX
Dear Rameshwari
As the winters are approaching, I invite you to spend the winter break with me at my house in Mumbai. At that
time, the weather here is pleasant due to sea winds. I will introduce you to my parents and close relatives. Kindly
confirm your arrival by mid- December.
Yours affectionately
Puja/Puneet
Invitation Replies
Formal Invitations Informal Invitations
Accepting Declining Accepting Declining
Formal Invitation Replies
Note type Letter type
Formal Invitation Replies
(Refusal and Acceptance)
1. A formal reply is like a formal invitation, but it is not a card.
2. It is a handwritten reply to the invitation.
3. It is written in the third person.
4. The format will be the same as given in the invitation.
5. Always written in a box.
Format:
(Note type)
1) Box
2) Content
i) Sender’s name
ii) Formal thanks
iii) Receiver’s name
iv) Details of the events (Occasion/event, Date, Time, Venue)
v) Whether accepting or declining
vi) In case of declining
(1) Show regret
(2) Reason for declining
(3) Wishes
Accepting:
(Sender’s name) thanks (Receiver’s name) for his/her/their kind invitation to attend the (Event details – Name of the
event, Date, Time, Place). He has a great pleasure in accepting the offer and confirms his presence at the venue on the
scheduled time.
Declining:
(Sender’s name) thanks (Receiver’s name) for his/her/their kind invitation to attend the (Event details – Name of the
event, Date, Time, Place). But he regrets for not being able to attend the event due to some unavoidable
circumstances. He wishes a great success to the event.
Ques.
You are Vikram Gaur of Raja Ki Mandi, Agra. Draft a formal reply accepting an invitation to be present on the occasion of
the wedding of Ankush S/o Mr & Mrs Shankar of 24, Green Park Road, Kanpur.
Answer:
Mr. and Mrs. Vikram Gaur thank Mr. and Mrs. Shankar for inviting them on the occasion of the wedding of their son
Ankush at 24, Green Park Road, Kanpur on 15 May, 20XX and assure them that they will be present on the occasion to
wish the newlyweds a very happy married life.
Ques.
You are Vikram Gaur of Raja Ki Mandi, Agra. Draft a formal reply declining an invitation to be present on the occasion of
the wedding of Ankush S/o Mr & Mrs Shankar of 24, Green Park Road, Kanpur.
Answer:
Mr. and Mrs. Vikram Gaur thank Mr. and Mrs. Shankar for inviting them on the occasion of the wedding of their son
Ankush at 24, Green Park Road, Kanpur on 15 May, 20XX. But they regret for not being able to attend the event due to
some unavoidable circumstances. They wish the newlyweds a very happy married life.
Format:
(Letter type)
1) Box
2) Sender’s address
3) Date
4) Receiver’s Information (Name/post of the receiver and Address)
5) Salutation
6) Content
i) I/we
ii) Formal thank
iii) You
iv) Details of the events (Occasion/event, Date, Time, Venue)
v) Whether accepting or declining
vi) In case of declining
(4) Show regret
(5) Reason for declining
6) Thanks
7) Closing phrases
8) Sender’s name
Accepting:
Sender’s address
Date
Receiver’s Information (Name/post of the receiver and Address)
Subject
Salutation
I thank you for your kind invitation to attend the (Event details – Name of the event, Date, Time, Place). I have a great
pleasure in accepting the offer and I confirm my presence at the venue on the scheduled time.
Thanks
Yours sincerely
Sender’s name
Declining:
Sender’s address
Date
Receiver’s Information (Name/post of the receiver and Address)
Subject
Salutation
I thank you for your kind invitation to attend the (Event details – Name of the event, Date, Time, Place). But I regret for
not being able to attend the event due to some unavoidable circumstances. I wish a great success to the event.
Thanks
Yours sincerely
Sender’s name
Accepting:
Ques. Draft a formal reply accepting an invitation to be present on the occasion of the wedding of Ankush S/o Mr & Mrs
Kumar of 24, Green Park Road, Kanpur. You are Vikram Gaur of Raja Ki Mandi, Agra.
Ans. Raja Ki Mandi
Agra
5 May, 20XX
24, Green Park Road
Kanpur
Subject: Acceptance of invitation to the wedding
Dear Mr. Kumar
I thank you for inviting us on the occasion of the wedding of your son, Ankush at 24, Green Park Road, Kanpur on 15
May, 20XX and assure you that we will be present on the occasion to wish the newlyweds a very happy married life.
We will reach Kanpur by the Agra Mail which leaves Agra at 8.00 a.m.
Thanking You
Yours sincerely
Vikram Gaur
Declining:
Ques. Draft a formal reply declining an invitation to be present on the occasion of the wedding of Ankush S/o Mr & Mrs
Kumar of 24, Green Park Road, Kanpur. You are Vikram Gaur of Raja Ki Mandi, Agra.
Ans. Raja Ki Mandi
Agra
5 May, 20XX
24, Green Park Road
Kanpur
Subject: Inability to attend the wedding
Dear Mr. Kumar
I thank you for inviting us on the occasion of the wedding of your son, Ankush at 24, Green Park Road, Kanpur on 15
May, 20XX. But I regret for not being able to attend the event due to some unavoidable circumstances. I wish a
great success to the event.
Thanking You
Yours sincerely
Vikram Gaur
Informal Invitation Replies
Accepting Declining
Accepting:
Sender’s address
Date
Salutation
I thank you for your kind invitation to attend the (Event details – Name of the event, Date, Time, Place). I have a great
pleasure in accepting the offer.
Complimentary phrases
Sender’s name
Declining:
Sender’s address
Date
Salutation
I thank you for your kind invitation to attend the (Event details – Name of the event, Date, Time, Place). But I regret for
not being able to attend the event due to some unavoidable circumstances. I wish a great success to the event.
Complimentary phrases
Sender’s name
Accepting:
Ques. Draft a informal reply accepting an invitation to be present on the occasion of the wedding of Ankush S/o Mr & Mrs
Kumar of 24, Green Park Road, Kanpur. You are Vikram Gaur of Raja Ki Mandi, Agra.
Ans. Raja Ki Mandi
Agra
5 May, 20XX
Dear Mr. Kumar
I thank you for inviting us on the occasion of the wedding of your son, Ankush at 24, Green Park Road, Kanpur on 15
May, 20XX and assure you that we will be present on the occasion to wish the newlyweds a very happy married life.
We will reach Kanpur by the Agra Mail which leaves Agra at 8.00 a.m.
Yours sincerely
Vikram Gaur
Declining:
Ques. Draft a formal reply declining an invitation to be present on the occasion of the wedding of Ankush S/o Mr & Mrs
Kumar of 24, Green Park Road, Kanpur. You are Vikram Gaur of Raja Ki Mandi, Agra.
Ans. Raja Ki Mandi
Agra
5 May, 20XX
Dear Mr. Kumar
I thank you for inviting us on the occasion of the wedding of your son, Ankush at 24, Green Park Road, Kanpur on 15
May, 20XX. But I regret for not being able to attend the event due to some unavoidable circumstances. I wish a
great success to the event.
Yours sincerely
Vikram Gaur
