Invitation & Reply

Invitations form an important part of social dealings. An invitation is a request to an

individual to come or go somewhere, or to do something.
Invitations can be both formal as well as informal.
FORMAL INVITATIONS
Main Characteristics:
1. A formal invitation is normally a single sentence presentation in third person.
2. Formal invitations are generally printed invitation cards. We use them to invite guests
on some auspicious occasion like birthdays, weddings, inauguration of shops, houses,
etc.
3. The invitation answers the questions who, whom, when, where, what time and for
what, i.e.,
1. the occasion
2. name(s) of the invitee
3. name(s) of the host
4. date, time and venue
4. The other details include name, designation and address of the organiser, sponsor or
host or the name(s) of the chief guest or special invitees, in case of an official
invitation.
5. Printed formal invitations don’t include the name of the addressee.
6. Invitations to VIP to preside over a function do carry the name of VIP prominently.
7. Length as per CBSE guidelines is limited to 50 words.
Q 1: M/s Shyam Lal & Sons are opening a new general store ‘Galaxy Novelties’ in
Geetanjali Enclave, Dwarika, Delhi. The inauguration ceremony is fixed for Sunday, the 19 th
of October 20XX at 11 a.m. Prepare a draft of formal invitation letter for the purpose.
Answer:
Q 2: Your sister Nivedita is going to marry Akhilesh (S/o Mr & Mrs SM. Joshi, Nainital)
Your father Mr K.S. Bhardwaj has planned to hold the wedding at Hotel Kunal, New Delhi
on 25 May 20XX at 8 p.m. Write a formal invitation on behalf of Mr & Mrs K.S. Bhardwaj
inviting guests to the auspicious occasion. Give other details. Do not exceed 50 words.

Answer:
INFORMAL INVITATIONS
Main Characteristics:
Informal invitations are ordinary personal letters. These letters are written to relatives,
friends and acquaintances.
1. These letters are first/second person presentations.
2. Personal feelings and emotions find an expression.
3. The writer’s address is given in the usual place.
4. The salutation is usually “Dear’ plus “Name’.
5. The date of writing is given, but the year is generally omitted.
6. The style and tone are relaxed and informal.
7. Different tenses are used as the sense demands.
8. The complimentary close is: Yours sincerely’.
Q 1: Rahul has got success in CBSE-PMT. He wants to celebrate his admission to B J
Medical College,Ahmedabad by throwing a party to his friends. Write an informal invitation
giving details of venue, time and date. Do not exceed 50 words.
Answer:
33/427 D Cabin
Ahmedabad

15 July 20XX

Dear Varun
You will be glad to learn that I have secured 80th rank in the CBSE-PMT competition. I have
got admission in a prestigious institution – B J Medical College,Ahmedabad. I want to share
a few happy moments of my life in the company of my old Mends at a dinner in the Hotel
Kanishka at 9.00 p.m. on 23 July, 20XX.
Please join the celebrations and merry-making.

Yours sincerely
Rahul
Q 2: You are Aruna Verma. The wedding of your elder sister Vina is going to be held on the
15th March, 20XX at Hotel Lake View, Ahmedabad. Write out an informal invitation to your
friend Vinita requesting her to attend the function.
Answer:
4357, Vasant Kunj
Rajpur
Ahmedabad
1 March, 20XX

Dear Vinita,
You will be pleased to know that the wedding of my elder sister Vina is going to be held on
the 15th March, 20XX at Hotel Lake View, Ahmedabad. The whole family will move there
in the morning. I invite you to join us at lunch in the hotel on the 15th. The wedding
ceremony will take place at 8 in the evening.
I do hope you will join us on the auspicious occasion.

Yours sincerely
Aruna
WRITING REPLIES
(RESPONDING TO FORMAL AND INFORMAL INVITATIONS)
A formal reply is short,. brief and to the point. It must always be pleasant. Even while
declining the invitation or expressing inability to attend one must be polite and courteous.
Formal replies demand a formal tone and treatment. There is no room for unnecessary details.
An informal reply or private letter may, however, express personal feelings or desires in an
intimate style and informal tone.
Main characteristics:
(a) Formal Replies
• Acknowledge the invitation.
• Express thanks in third person.
• Mention acceptance/regret.
• Specify the reason for refusal.
• Be brief and specific.
• Be formal in tone and treatment.
• Do not exceed the word limit (usually 50 words).
(b) Informal Replies
• Acknowledge the invitation in first person.
• Use second person for the sender of invitation.
• Mention acceptance/regret.
• Specify the reason in case of refusal.
• Use warm and simple language.
• Do not exceed the word limit (usually 50 words).
FORMAL REPLIES
Q 1: Draft a formal reply accepting an invitation to be present on the occasion of the
wedding of Arun S/o Mr & Mrs Ram of 24, Green Park Road, Vadodara. You are Vishal
Gujjar of Rani Ki Mandi, Agra.
Answer:
5 May, 20XX
Mr and Mrs Vishal Gujjar thank Mr And Mrs Ram for inviting them on the occasion of the
wedding of their son Arun at 24, Green Park Road, Vadodara on 15 May, 20XX and assure
them that they will be present on the occasion to wish the newly weds a very happy married
life. Mr and Mrs Gujjar will reach Kanpur by the Agra Mail which leaves Agra at 8.00 a.m.
Vishal Gujjar
Q 2: Write a formal reply expressing your inability to attend the birthday celebrations of
your friend Suresh Magarwadiya of B/6, Vivekananda Marg, Mehsana. You are Dipak
Viashnav.
Answer:
Mr and Mrs Dipak Vaishnav wish to thank Mr & Mrs Suresh Magarwadiya for extending an
invitation to the birthday celebrations of their son Aadi at their residence 1235, Vivekananda
Marg, Mehsana on 20 March, 20XX and wish the young boy many happy returns of the day
but regret their inability to be present personally on account of some previous engagements.
Dipak Viashnav
16 March, 20XX
Q 3: You are Dr A P Bhalla. You have received an invitation from the Director, Health
Services, Maharashtra, who has invited leading medical practitioners of the state to attend a
workshop on ‘child care’ on 20 May, 20XX at 10 a.m. in Civil Hospital, Pune. Respond to
the invitation.
Answer:
Dr A P Bhalla has a great pleasure in receiving the invitation from the Director, Health
Services, Maharashtra to attend a workshop on ‘Child Care’ on 20 May, 20XX at 10 a.m. in
Civil Hospital Pune.
She confirms her presence with thanks.
A P Bhalla
16 March, 20XX
INFORMAL REPLIES
Q 1: You are Satyavrat/Suresh. 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.
Answer:
205, Vasant Kunj
Palanpur

4 March, 20XX

Dear Neha
Thank you for your cordial invitation on the occasion of your sister’s wedding. I, however,
regret my inability to be with you on this happy occasion as we shall be leaving for Singapore
for summer holidays on 1 May, 20XX. Please excuse my absence. Do convey my regards and
best wishes to the couple.

Yours sincerely
Satyavrat/Suresh
Q 2: You are Manoj /Mini. You have been invited to attend a birthday party of your closest
friend. Respond to this invitation.
Answer:
2 Kedar Flats
Surya Vihar, Ahmedabad

15 March, 20XX

Dear Sahil
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 would like to confirm my participation.
Looking forward to the momentous occasion.
With love.
Manoj/Mini
Or
Dear Sahil
I acknowledge with thanks your kind invitation to your birthday party on the 25th March. I
regret to inform you that I will not be able to join you in the celebrations due to some very
urgent and unavoidable prior engagements that may keep me tied down here on that day.
Please accept my heartiest felicitations and love.
Kindly accept a small gift that I am sending through courier.
Wishing you a very happy birthday.
Yours sincerely
Manoj /Mini

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