Accept a Formal Invitation to a Social Event • Letter Templates and Guides
How to write this letter:
| 1 | Announce that you accept the invitation and acknowledge the host's kindness in inviting you. Then restate the occasion as well as the date, the time, and the location of the event exactly as they appear on the invitation. |
| 2 | If necessary, send any regrets at the close of your acceptance. |
Guides
Always answer a formal invitation promptly with a very brief (one or two sentences) written response which pays careful attention to detail. Keep in mind that the format of the acceptance should mirror that of the invitation. For example, if the invitation is centered on the page, the acceptance should be also. Begin the acceptance by using the third person, unless you are using personal stationery that contains your full name in the letterhead. Then you may begin by using the first person "I."
Example Letter #1
Mr. and Mrs. John Doe accept your kind invitation to brunch at the Springfield Country Club on Saturday, the thirty-first of March at 10:30 a.m. Unfortunately, we will have to leave early due to a prior engagement.
Example Letter #2
Mr. and Mrs. John Doe accept with pleasure
your kind invitation to the Springfield Charity Ball
Saturday, June sixteenth, at eight o'clock in the evening
at the Springfield Country Club.
Example Letter #3
Ms. Doe gratefully accepts your invitation to the annual Springfield Foundation benefit luncheon on Tuesday, November 20, at 12:30 p.m.
Regrettably, a previous commitment will force my departure before the 2:00 p.m. presentation of awards.
Example Letter #4
John and Jane Doe
are pleased to accept the kind invitation of
John and Jane Smith
to join them in celebrating the graduation of their daughter, Jane
Saturday, the twentieth of June, at 4 o'clock
at the Riverside Country Club, 4500 Riverside Drive
Example Letter #5
Dr. Jane Doe
is delighted to accept
your gracious invitation to a reception for
Dr. Joyce Smith
Sunday, February 19, at 8 o'clock p.m.
at the University Alumni House.
Mr. John Doe regrets
that he will be unable to attend
because of another commitment
Write Your Letter Step-by-Step
1
Announce that you accept the invitation and acknowledge the host's kindness in inviting you. Then restate the occasion as well as the date, the time, and the location of the event exactly as they appear on the invitation.
Example Sentences for Step 1
are pleased to accept your kind invitation
to a reception in honor of your daughter, Ashley,
on Tuesday evening, the thirteenth of October
at six-thirty o'clock
at the Springfield Country Club. John and Jane Doe
are pleased to accept your gracious invitation
for Friday, November second
at half past six o'clock. Mr. and Mrs. John Doe
are pleased to accept your invitation
to the marriage of your son, Eric, to Ashley Johnson,
daughter of Robert and Suzanne Johnson,
on Saturday, the twentieth of May
at nine o'clock in the morning at the Johnson' home,
located at 648 Maple Lane, Springfield, Kansas. John Doe accepts with pleasure your kind invitation to celebrate the inauguration of Springfield's new mayor on Saturday, April twentieth, at three o'clock in the afternoon.
Example Phrases for Step 1
2
If necessary, send any regrets at the close of your acceptance.
Example Sentences for Step 2
that we must leave the party
at eight o'clock. We regret that due to a prior engagement,
we will not be able to attend the reception
immediately following the wedding. I regret, though, that Mrs. Doe will not be in attendance. I look forward to attending, but am I sorry that I will not be able to remain for the entire engagement. Although both Mr. Doe and I will attend the wedding, we regret that Mr. Doe will not be free to attend the reception.