INVITATION- FORMAL and INFORMAL
Marking Scheme
4 Marks
Format : 1 Content : 2 Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar :1
Let’s Understand ………..
An invitation is a complete piece of information. It answers the questions who, whom, where, what time and for
what etc
The occasion
Name of the invitee(s)
Name of the host(s)
Date, time, venue
Other details
Name, designation & address of the organiser, sponsor or host
Name of the Chief Guest or Special invitees, in case of an official invitation
The word Limit is 50
Invitations are of two types
Formal and Informal. There are two formats used for formal invitations:
FORMAL INVITATIONS
(Printed) (Meant for many invitees)
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, and inauguration of shops, houses, etc.
3. The invitation answers the questions who, whom, when, where, what time and for what, i.e.,
o the occasion
o name(s) of the invitee
o name(s) of the host
o date, time and venue
4. The other details include name, designation and address of the organizer, 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 VIPs to preside over a function do carry the name of VIP prominently.
7. Length as per CBSE guidelines is limited to 50 words.
1. Meant for an individual (a formal letter of invitation)
Include the name of the invitee
Present the content in complete sentences.
Other details are similar to the mass-scale invitations.
Examples:
Printed Invitation
All are cordially invited to the
INAUGURATION
of our showroom
KID’S PLANET
Small world for the little ones-
on Sunday, 30 July 2020
at
10.30a.m.
At Kathputli, Market, Amar Vihar, Delhi-110002
RSVP
Vinod Kumar Mehra
Ph 0562129607
Letter form of Invitation (meant for an individual):
Kamala Nehru School
Cantonment
Bangalore
5 February 2025
Mr. K.J. Singh
DCP
Police Lines
Bangalore
Sub: Invitation---Annual Day Function
Sir
It gives us immense pleasure to inform you that we are celebrating our school’s Annual Day function
on 15 February 2025 at 5.30 p.m. in the Activity Hall of the school. We shall consider it a great honour
if you could grace the occasion and preside over the function as the Chief Guest and give away the
prizes.
Yours faithfully
Sign
Principal
Reply to a Formal Invitation
Characteristics
The lines may be written in ordinary prose but the language used is formal.
It should be in the third person.
No need of signing it.
You may put the name and date at the top left-hand corner or bottom left-hand corner.
Use simple present tense.
The following vocabulary terms can be used frequently:
Name of he/she thanks
he/she is very happy/ pleased to accept
he/she regrets that
a previous engagement
Accepting
Mr. Ashraf thanks Mrs. & Mr. Sunil Mehra for their kind invitation to their daughter Meher’s wedding
on 30 May 2025 at 7.30p.m and has great pleasure in accepting. They will be present on the occasion
to wish the newlyweds a very happy married life.
Ashraf Saed
10 May 2025
Declining
Mr Ashraf thanks Mrs & Mr Sunil Mehra for their kind invitation to the marriage of their daughter
Meher on 30 May 2025 at their residence 1235, Vivekananda Mark, Belur and wishes the couple a
blessed married life but regrets his inability to attend due to prior engagement.
Ashraf Saed
10 May 2025
INFORMAL INVITATION
Characteristics
The format of an informal invitation is the same as informal letter
It should be in first person
Sender’s address should be there
The date of writing should be mentioned, but no need of writing the year
Salutation is Dear + Name
Complementary close should be there
Various tenses of the verb can be used unlike formal invitations.
It is polite to reply to an invitation, even though it is not mentioned in the invitation.
The vocabulary is less formal [eg. I am sorry rather than regrets]
Vinod Niwas
75 sector 11 A
Delhi
12 April 2025
My Dear Ashraf
You will be pleased to know that Meher is getting married on 30 May 2025. The ceremony will take place
in ……………… from ……. Our son-in-law is a Software Engineer working for an MNC in Bangalore.
We are eagerly looking forward to your presence.
Do come with family.
Yours lovingly
Sunil Mehra
Reply to an Informal Invitation
Characteristics
The layout of a reply to an informal invitation is also informal like the invitation.
Acknowledge the invitation
Mention the invitation in first /second person
Mention acceptance or refusal (specify reason)
Use warm and simple language
eg:-heartiest congratulations
Much pleasure to join
We are sorry
Declining
No.26
Dreemshore
New Delhi
16 February 2025
Dear Sunil
I am pleasantly surprised to receive your invitation to Meher’s wedding.
I would have loved to join you on this auspicious occasion but my father is in the hospital. He is suffering from
pneumonia and needs my constant care.
I feel bad I won’t be able to join you on the happy occasion personally. Please accept my greetings. Do convey
my best wished to the couple.
Yours lovingly
Ashraf
Accepting
No.26
Dreamshore
New Delhi
16 February 2025
Dear Sunil
I am pleasantly surprised to receive your invitation to Meher’s wedding. Has she grown so big? I still remember
when she used to play with me. How time flies!
Well, it really is a big occasion. I will definitely join you to make arrangements and to bless her.
Yours lovingly
Ashraf
PRACTICE QUESTIONS:
1. You are Dr. Hensel Savio, the Principal of Good Shepherd International School, Ooty. The School has
completed 50 years of its meritorious services to the society. The Golden Jubilee Celebrations are to be held on
Sunday, the 29 of September 2019. Mr. Nathaniel Rozario, the founder Principal will be presiding over the
function. Draft a suitable invitation in about 50 words to be sent to the parents and the other invitees.
2. You are Dr. Hensel Savio, the Principal of Good Shepherd International School, Ooty. The School has
completed 50 years of its meritorious services to the society. The Golden Jubilee Celebrations are to be held on
Sunday, the 29 of September 2019. Draft a suitable invitation in about 50 words to be sent Mr. Nathaniel Rozario,
the founder Principal requesting him to preside over the function.
3. Vaishnavi/Vaibhav has come out successful in Grade 12 examination. She/ he has decided to arrange a party for
her/his friends. Draft an invitation in about 50 words giving complete details including venue, time and date.
4. You are Navneeth. Draft an informal invitation to invite your close friend to the betrothal ceremony of your
elder sister. Draft the invitation in 50 words.
5. You are Pradhan and have been invited by the Rotary Club to act as one of the judges of the jury over a debate
competition to be held on 14th November. Write a formal reply accepting the invitation.
6. You are Rajeev and you have received an invitation from your friend to attend his sister’s betrothal ceremony.
You will not be able to attend the ceremony because of a job interview on the same day. Write a reply explaining
the situation and declining the invitation.