2. A Guide to Invitations & Replies (CBSE Class 12)
Invitations are written requests to someone to attend an event. They must be answered within the 50-word limit.
• Formal Invitations: Can be a card (for weddings, school functions) or a formal letter (inviting a chief guest). They are written in the third person.
• Informal Invitations: Are like short letters to friends or family (for birthdays, house-warmings). They use the first and second person (I, you, my, your).
• Replies: Must match the invitation. A formal invitation gets a formal reply (in third person). An informal invitation gets an informal reply (like a short letter).
Marking Scheme (4 Marks)
- Format: 1 Mark
- Content: 2 Marks (Occasion, Date, Time, Venue, Host's Name, Acceptance/Refusal)
- Accuracy: 1 Mark (Spelling and Grammar)
Formats
There are 4 main types. Pay close attention to the use of third-person vs. first-person and the layout (card vs. letter).
1. Formal Invitation (Card)
Mr. and Mrs. S. K. Sharma
request the pleasure of your company
at the auspicious occasion of the
MARRIAGE
of their daughter
SONIA
with
RAHUL
(S/o Mr. and Mrs. V. K. Mehta)
on Sunday, 15th December 2025
at 8:00 PM onwards
at The Grand Hotel, New Delhi
R.S.V.P.
S. K. Sharma
22, Green Park, New Delhi
98xxxxxx00
2. Informal Invitation (Letter)
24, Model Town
Delhi
3 November 2025
Dear Rohan,
You'll be happy to know that I'm turning 18 on 10th November! I am organizing a small party for all my close friends at my residence at 7 PM.
I would love for you to come and celebrate with us. No excuses!
Yours,
Ankit
3. Formal Reply (Accepting)
Mr. and Mrs. A. K. Gupta thank Mr. and Mrs. S. K. Sharma for their kind invitation to the marriage of their daughter, Sonia, on 15th December 2025.
They have great pleasure in accepting the invitation and will be present to wish the couple.
3 November 2025
4. Informal Reply (Declining)
15, Ashok Vihar
Delhi
3 November 2025
Dear Ankit,
Thank you so much for the invitation to your 18th birthday party! I am so happy for you.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to join the celebration as I have my pre-board exams starting the very next day.
I wish you a fantastic birthday. Will catch up soon!
Yours,
Rohan
You are the Principal of St. Mary's School, Agra. Draft a formal invitation card for the school's Annual Day. Mr. Arvind Gupta, the District Magistrate, will be the Chief Guest.
The Principal, Staff and Students
of
ST. MARY'S SCHOOL, AGRA
request the pleasure of your company
on their
25th ANNUAL DAY CELEBRATION
on Saturday, 20th December 2025
at 5:00 PM
in the School Auditorium
Mr. Arvind Gupta, District Magistrate,
has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest.
R.S.V.P.
Principal
0562-2xxxxxx
*Please be seated by 4:45 PM*
5 Solved Practice Questions
Q1: Draft an informal invitation to your friend for a house-warming party.
52, Harmony Apartments
Pune
3 November 2025
Dear Priya,
Great news! We've finally moved into our new house. To celebrate this, we are holding a small house-warming party and puja on Sunday, 10th November 2025, from 11 AM onwards.
Please come and bless our new home. We'll have lunch together.
Yours,
Anita
Q2: You are Mr. A.K. Sharma. Draft a formal reply declining a wedding invitation from Mr. S. Verma due to a prior engagement.
Mr. and Mrs. A. K. Sharma thank Mr. and Mrs. S. Verma for their kind invitation to the wedding of their son, Rohit, on 20th November 2025.
However, they express their inability to attend the ceremony due to a prior engagement.
They send their best wishes to Rohit and the family.
3 November 2025
Q3: Draft a formal invitation card for the inauguration of your new electronics showroom, 'Gadget World'.
M/s Bansal & Sons
request the pleasure of your benign presence
at the inauguration of their
new electronics showroom
GADGET WORLD
at 14, MG Road, Bengaluru
on Friday, 7th November 2025
at 11:00 AM
R.S.V.P.
Bansal & Sons
98xxxxxx00
*Inaugural 10% discount on all products*
Q4: You are Rahul. Draft an informal reply accepting an invitation from your friend to spend winter break with him.
33, Sector 15
Chandigarh
3 November 2025
Dear Sameer,
I'm so excited to receive your letter! Thank you for inviting me to spend the winter break with you in Mussoorie.
I'd love to come. My exams finish on 20th December, so I can be there from 22nd Dec to 28th Dec. I can't wait to see you!
Yours,
Rahul
Q5: Your school is inviting a famous author, Mr. Chetan Bhagat, as the chief guest for your Literary Fest. Draft a formal invitation letter.
Springdales School
New Delhi
3 November 2025
Mr. Chetan Bhagat
22, Pali Hill
Mumbai
Subject: Invitation as Chief Guest for 'Lit-Verse'
Dear Sir,
Our school is organizing its Annual Literary Fest, 'Lit-Verse', on 1st December 2025 from 10 AM onwards.
We would be highly honoured if you could grace the occasion as our Chief Guest and inspire our students with your words. We hope you will accept our humble invitation.
Yours sincerely,
(Signature)
R. K. Sharma
(Principal)
