The document provides information on formal and informal invitations and replies. It discusses the typical elements included in invitations such as the hosts, occasion, time/date, venue, and RSVP information. Sample invitations are given for a school annual function, wedding reception, and birthday party. Guidelines are provided for formal and informal replies, including expressions for accepting, declining, and expressing gratitude to the invitation sender/host. The document aims to educate on proper invitation and reply etiquette.

1. Invitation
&
Reply to an invitation

2. Types of invitations and replies
Formal
• Simple but elegant
• Written in third person
• Avoid abbreviation for the
name of guests, days and
dates
• R.S.V.P.(Respondez s’il vous
plait) please reply soon.
• Setting :centre
• Add instruction(s)/dress
code at the bottom
Informal
• To make an occasion
personal
• Cordial/intimate as
appropriate to their
relationship

3. Each of the following
points of an invitation
should be written in
separate lines.

4. • Name(s) of the host(s) issuing the invitation
• Standard expression:
1. Request the pleasure of the company of
2. Solicit the gracious presence of
3. Request ….. to grace the occasion as …..
• The reason for the invitation
• Time and date of the event
• The venue
• In case of a V.I.P. being invited(at an official
function)his/her name must appear prominently.
• The name of invitee does not figure in the invitation in case
of printed cards.
• Date of issue of invitation is not mentioned
• Lines are not punctuated
• Carries no signature
• Tense used is simple present

5. Sample1 :As the Principal of Heritage International School design an
invitation card to be sent to the parents of your school , inviting them to
attend the annual function.
The Principal, Staff and Students
of
Heritage International School , New Delhi
request the pleasure of your company
on the occasion
of
The Annual Function
of the school
at 5:00 p. m. on 25th November ,2009
in
The School Auditorium
Dr. Manmohan Singh
Hon’ble Prime Minister, Govt. of India
has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest
and give away the prizes
R.S.V.P.
Principal
Heritage International School
New Delhi
Please do not carry mobile phones to the auditorium

6. Sample1 :As the Principal of Heritage International School design an
invitation card to be sent to the parents of your school , inviting them to
attend the annual function.
The Principal, Staff and Students
of
HERITAGE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL , NEW DELHI
request the pleasure of your company
on the occasion
of
THE ANNUAL FUNCTION
of the school
at 5:00 p. m. on 25th November ,2020
in
THE SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
Dr. Manmohan Singh
Hon’ble Prime Minister, Govt. of India
has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest
and give away the prizes
R.S.V.P.
Principal
Heritage International School
New Delhi
Please do not carry mobile phones to the auditorium
Name of Institution
Guest
Occasion
Time day and date
Venue
Hosts
Contact

7. Formal invitations are written for the following:
• Annual Function
• Annual Prize Distribution
• Birthday Party
• Annual Sports Day
• Inauguration of any business
concern/school/institution
• Wedding
• Exhibition
• Workshop/Symposium
• A formal invitation is used
for:
– A formal occasion/event
will demand a formal
invitation
– a person, with whom one
has a formal relationship.
– with people we do not
know.
– Superior in
school/workplace
– Elders & Seniors

8. Informal invitations are written for the
following:
• Birthday Party
• To celebrate Success in
anything
• A get-together
• Etc.
• To give the personal
touch personal
• To make the invitation
Cordial/intimate as
appropriate to their
relationship

9. Sample 2 : A Wedding Invitation
Mrs. & Mr. Abhishek Bachan
request the pleasure of your company
on the occasion of the
WEDDING RECEPTION
of
their son, AMITABH (Amit)
with
MS. JAYA
Daughter of Mrs. & Mr. Ashutosh Bhaduri
in
THE LE MERIDIAN HOTEL
at 5:00 p. m. on 25th November ,2009
R.S.V.P.
Mr. Abhishek Bachan(Father)
Mrs. Aishwarya Bachan(Mother)
0351 345216
Occasion
Time day and date
Venue
Hosts
Contact

10. Sample 3 : Invitation to a Birthday Party
Mrs. & Mr. David Beckham
request the pleasure of the company of
Mr. Michael Jackson
on the occasion
Of
the twenty- first birthday
of their daughter,
Miss Priscilla Beckham
at 5:00 p. m. on 25th November ,2009
at there residence
24/ Kensington Street
Apple Tree Orchard, London
R.S.V.P.
David Beckham
001 245683
Occasion
Time day and date
Venue
Hosts
Contact
Guest

11. Why should we write replies!
• An essential courtesy
• Appreciate the hosts
courtesy in inviting you.
• should let the host know
your intention so that they
may make arrangements
accordingly

12. Layout of formal replies
• Written in ordinary prose
• Language formal
• Third person
• Usually No address & date
• Sometimes date is written
top/bottom right hand
corner

13. FORMAL REPLIES
Accepting:
Ms. Priyanka Chopra thanks Mrs. And Mr. Bachan for
their kind invitation which she is delighted to accept.
Declining:
Ms. Priyanka Chopra thanks Mrs. And Mr. Bachan for
their kind invitation but regrets her inability to
accept the same due to prior engagements.
Expressing
gratitude
Expressing
gratitude
sender
sender
host
host
acceptance
Reason for not attending