Accept a Formal Invitation to a Social Event • Example Letters, Guides and Samples
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."
How to write this acceptance letter:
- 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.
- If necessary, send any regrets at the close of your acceptance.
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.
Sample Sentences for Step 1
- Mr. John Doe gratefully accepts your kind invitation to dinner at the Springfield Hotel Dining room on Wednesday, September nineteenth at six-thirty p.m.
- Mr. and Mrs. John Doe
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.
Sample Phrases for Step 1
- accepts with pleasure
- appreciate the invitation to
- are honored to accept
- are pleased to accept
- are delighted to accept
- gratefully accepts
- in honor of
- join you at
- join you in celebrating
- to dinner at
- to celebrate the
- to the marriage of
- to a reception
- your cordial invitation to
- your kind invitation to
- your invitation to
- your considerate invitation to
- your gracious invitation to
2 If necessary, send any regrets at the close of your acceptance.
Sample Sentences for Step 2
- However, we regret
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.
Sample Phrases for Step 2
- are unable to
- are disappointed that
- are very sorry
- because of previous commitments
- because of other commitments
- due to a prior engagement
- immediately following the
- must leave early
- out of town on
- prior commitments make it impossible
- regret that we
- sincerely regret that
- to remain for
- to attend the
- we will be unable to
- will not be able to
- will not be free to
- will have to leave
- will be late for
