Invitation and Replies
What is an invitation?
An invitation is a request, a solicitation or an attempt to get another person to
join you at a specific event. The event could be stage performance, a
competition or social functions such as celebrations of birthday, engagement,
wedding, appointment, promotion etc.
Types of Invitation:
Invitations can be both formal as well as informal.
I) Formal Invitations
They can be printed on cards or can be drafted in the form of formal letters.
Certain Guidelines:
Written in the third person.
Use the simple present tense.
Invitation card is centre aligned
Details of date, time, venue of the event to be mentioned.
In case a VIP is to be invited (at an official function), his/her name
appears prominently.
The name, address, telephone no. of the chief organizer with R.S.V.P on
the right/left hand (bottom) corner of the card.
Some important information can be highlighted.
Must be in a box
Samples of Formal Invitations printed on card
1) You are a student of Sacred Heart Convent School, McLeod Ganj. The
school is holding its Annual Function at 5.00 p.m. on 5 September 20XX.
The education minister of the state has consented to be the Chief Guest.
Design an invitation card to be sent to the parents and other invitees. Do
not exceed 50 words.
2) Write a formal invitation on behalf of Mr & Mrs K.S. Bhardwaj inviting
guests to the auspicious occasion of their daughter’s wedding. The
invitation must include all the essential details regarding the wedding. Do
not exceed 50 words.
3) Draft an invitation on behalf of Mr & Mrs Raj Karan of 38, Kamal
Kunj, Varanasi, which they may use to invite their friends and relatives on
the 5th birth anniversary of their son Nikhil at their residence on 28
December 20XX.
Samples of Formal Invitations drafted as letter
(Format-Similar to a formal letter)
1) The literary club of your school is putting up the play ‘Waiting for
Godot’. As secretary of the club, write a formal invitation letter inviting the
famous writer Sudesh Gupta to be the guest of honour at the function. You
are Govind/Gauri.
ABC School
Shastri Nagar
Mumbai
20th February, 20xx
Mr. Sudesh Gupta
XYZ Lane
PQR Colony
Mumbai
Dear Sir
Subject: Invitation as Chief Guest
The Literary club of our school is putting up the play ‘Waiting for Godot’ on 17th January,
20xx in our school auditorium from 9-10 am. On behalf of our club, I would like to extend a
cordial invitation to you to be the guest of honour at the function. It would be our privilege if
you consent to grace this occasion with your esteemed presence.
Gauri
Secretary (Literary Club)
2) Your school is having its Silver Jubilee celebrations. As the Principal of
the school, write a formal invitation letter inviting the famous writer Amit
Trivedi to be the guest of honour at the function.
ABC School
Shastri Nagar
Mumbai
20th February, 20xx
Mr. Amit Trivedi
XYZ Lane
PQR Colony
Mumbai
Dear Sir
Subject: Invitation as Chief Guest for Annual Day
It is with immense pride that we wish to celebrate our 25th year in the field of education on
25th May, 20XX from 10am, in our School Auditorium. We shall consider it a great
honour, if you could grace the occasion and preside over the function and handover the
prizes to the achievers.
Soliciting a line in reply by email at [Link]@[Link] to confirm your gracious
presence.
Yours sincerely
Mita Nair
Principal
Good Samaritan School
3) St Martins School is hosting the Inter School Debate 20XX. As the Head
of the English Department, write a formal invitation letter inviting the
Principal of St Stephen School to judge the event.
St Martins School
Ram Mandir Road
Vir Park
Mumbai- 4000XX
4) You are the Director of Apex Orientations, a leading name in postal
coaching for competitive examinations including IIT-JEE and CBSE-PMT.
Write letters to the principals of some prestigious schools inviting the
names of two brilliant students from each institution to attend their
Counselling Session free of cost.
Apex Orientation
38-A, Old Rohtak Road,
Karol Bagh,
New Delhi-110005
25th March, 20XX
The Principal
ABC School
Delhi
Sir/Madam
Subject: Free Counselling Session
Apex Orientation is a leading name in postal coaching for competitive examinations. We
regard your school as one of the prestigious institutions of Delhi. We shall deem it a
personal favour if you recommend any two of your brilliant students to attend our Career
Counselling Session for IIT-JEE and CBSE-PMT to be held on 10th April, 20XX. The
participation will be free of cost.
Kindly send your recommendations by the 7th April.
Ritu Nanda
Director
2) Informal Invitations
Certain Guidelines
Written to friends, relatives and acquaintances.
Follow pattern of ordinary personal letters.
Personal feelings and emotions find an expression.
The style and tone are relaxed and informal.
Written in first/second person.
The salutation is usually ‘Dear’ plus ‘Name’.
Different tenses are used as the sense demands.
Samples of Informal Invitations –
1) Draft an informal invitation inviting your friend for your daughter’s 1st
birthday party celebrations.
33/427 Priya Vihar
New Delhi
15 January 20XX 2)
Dear Vipin
You will be pleased to know that our Mihika has turned one. To celebrate this
occasion, we have organised a party on January 18, 5.00 pm at Shubh Banquet
Hall, 21 Model Town, New Delhi. We will be glad if you came along with Mita
and the kids. No regrets, no excuses and of course no gifts.
Regards
Joy and Anita.
Draft an informal invitation inviting your friend for your daughter’s wedding.
3) You are a member of the student council representing grade 11. On the
behalf of students of grade 11, draft an informal invitation inviting the
seniors for a cultural programme cum farewell party.
St Mary’s Convent
Bangalore
1st February 20XX
Dear Seniors
We the students of class 11-Arts, Science and Commerce stream, cordially invite
you all for a cultural programme cum farewell party in the main hall at 11am on
24th February 20XX. Kindly stay for lunch and photo-session thereafter.
Class 11 students
Writing Replies
(Formal and Informal)
or
Responding to Invitations
(a) Formal Replies
Certain Guidelines-
Acknowledge the invitation.
Express thanks for the invitation.
Mention acceptance/regret.
Specify the reason for refusal.
Acceptance the invitation, should mention the date, time and venue.
Be brief and specific.
Be formal in tone and treatment.
Do not exceed the word limit (usually 50 words).
1) You are Akshya / Aakriti. You have been invited to participate in a
seminar on ‘Fundamental Rights of Children’, organised by the Lions Club
of your distinct. Respond to the invitation by writing a letter to the
Secretary of the club.
25, Aram Bagh Road
Meerut- 560016
5 May, 20XX
The Secretary
Lions Club
Meerut- 560016
Dear Sir
Subject: Acceptance of Invitation
Thanks for your invitation for a seminar on ‘Fundamental Rights of Children’, and your
concern for the under-privileged children. I would like to utilise this opportunity to
share my experiences with other like-minded enthusiasts and experts. 1 hereby confirm
my participation in the seminar. I will be present in the seminar hall at 5.00pm on 20th
May.
Yours sincerely
Aakriti
25, AramJain
Bagh Road
Meerut
5 May, 20XX
The Secretary
Lions Club
Meerut
(b) Informal Replies
Certain guidelines-
Acknowledge the invitation.
Use second person for the sender of invitation.
Mention acceptance/regret.
Specify the reason in case of refusal.
Acceptance the invitation, should mention the date, time and venue.
Use warm and simple language.
Do not exceed the word limit (usually 50 words).
1) You are Manoj /Mini. You have been invited to attend a birthday party
of your closest friend. Respond to this invitation by accepting it.
217 MIG Flats
Surya Vihar, New Delhi
15 March, 20XX
Dear Shuchi
I have received your invitation for your birthday party on 25 March, 20XX at 5 p.m. at
Hotel Janpath. I am extremely happy to know that all our old friends are likely to be
there.
I will surely be there to attend the joyous celebrations.
Looking forward to the momentous occasion.
Yours sincerely.
Mini
2) You are Aakash/Varsha. You have been invited to attend the wedding of
your friend’s sister during summer vacation. Respond to the invitation,
regretting your inability to attend it.
205, Vasant Kunj
New Delhi
4 March, 20XX
Dear Neha
