How To Accept And Decline Invitations In English
by Annemarie | Dec 5, 2018 |
Imagine a colleague invites you to their house for a weekend BBQ, your neighbor asks you over for dinner, or your friend from yoga asks invites you to her housewarming party. Do you know to politely accept and decline invitations in English? Would you feel comfortable saying maybe?
It can be difficult to feel you are saying the right thing, especially when you have to say no or maybe.
The good news is, with just a few easy steps youll be ready to accept and decline invitations politely and confidently in English. Youll never have to worry about saying the right thing or finding the right words.
In this lesson, I share:
- Three easy steps for accepting an invitation
- What you shouldnt forget to do if you say maybe
- Four rules for saying no politely
Plus, youll get example phrases native speakers use when they accept and decline invitations.
After you review the lesson, be sure to check out my challenge questions below and get immediate practice.
Language for saying yes or no to an invitation in English.
Lesson by Annemarie
Examples Of Invitation In A Sentence
invitationsinvitation ABC Newsinvitation CBS Newsinvitation NBC Newsinvitation The Enquirerinvitation clevelandinvitation The Arizona Republicinvitation ELLEinvitation CNN
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word ‘invitation.’ Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Does Your Invite Need An Rsvp Card
If even etiquette experts find this practice slightly old-fashioned, do you need to abide by it if youre sending an invitation? No. Many modern brides are dropping the response card M, Grotts confirms. The shift has moved toward a prompt for guests to write in their names vs. their formal title and surname, such as Lisa and John Grotts.’ Instead of the M, you might see the word NAME instead. An honorific such as Ms. or Mr. is a form of address that conveys title and respect, Grotts says. However, the prefix M doesnt imply including your guests full names. If youre filling out an RSVP card without the M, youre of course welcome to still include your title. But the evolving etiquette rules dont require it, nor do they require including the M in the first placeclearing up some long-standing invitation confusion! Next, find out these other helpful etiquette rules to know.
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Not Including All The Necessary Information
A well-informed guest is a happy guest, so make sure to keep your guests in the loop. Specify the date, time, and location of the ceremonyamong other important detailson your wedding invitation. If your reception will be at the same location, indicate reception to follow to let guests know they dont need to go anywhere else. If youre having a reception at another location, you can either include it on the invitation or, more formally, print a reception card with the time and location.
On your information card, youll want to include any pre- and post-wedding events, hotel information, and a link to your wedding website. And dont forget the dress code!
Addressing & Sending Wedding Invitations
Opening a wedding invitation is unlike opening any other piece of mail. Much care goes into addressing both the inner and outer envelopes. Several enclosures usually accompany the invitation itself, and there is a thoughtful order to how they are placed inside the outer envelope, and even a few things to think about when you stamp and mail them. Learn more.
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Do You Have To Use Surnames
Whether you use surnames for your guests or not is up to you, and will depend on your wedding invitation wording. Generally speaking, if the invitation is formal and the hosts surnames are being used then include surnames for the guests too.
If you have a couple or a family with children where there are different surnames, use all of them (you can leave the surnames of the children off if you want to
Mr Barrie Thomas, Miss Emma Pearce, Ellis & HuworBarrie Thomas, Emma Pearce, Ellis & Huw
For more informal wedding invitation wording you can use first names only for both adults and children.
Barrie, Emma, Ellis & Huw
How To Rsvp By Email
If the hosting bride and groom have included an email address for you to utilize for your response, its fine to use it instead of the response card. If you choose to RSVP by Email, you should keep the email short, formal, and to the point. Title the email Wedding RSVP: Will/Will Not Be Attending. You should then reconfirm the information in the body of the email. Make sure to include:
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Design Your Dream Day With Personalized Wedding Invitations
Congratulations! Your wedding vision is taking shape, and now you can give your guests a glimpse into what awaits with custom wedding invitations. We have options for every wedding theme, from rustic to elegant, each customizable to include your preferred colors, language and even finishing touches. Just start by exploring our wedding invitation templates. Find a design you love, then personalize with names, wedding date, address and more. Once everythingâs looking perfect, place your order and let us take care of the rest. With our collection of RSVP cards, enclosures and envelopes, you can even put together a gorgeous invitation suite . Once the suiteâs complete, weâll professionally print, package and deliver everything to your home. Your creations will arrive looking gorgeous and ready to get friends and family excited for your big day.
Response Cards Make Keeping Track Of Your Guest List Much Easier
Response or reply cards are included with a wedding invitation to give you an accurate guest count for the reception. They are not used for ceremony-only invitations. The card and envelope are engraved or printed in the same style and paper stock as the invitation, but in a smaller size. Often they are included as part of an invitation set. It’s a good idea to pre-address and stamp the reply envelope to make it as easy as possible for guests to RSVP via mail. If you prefer to receive replies via email or telephone, that’s finejust include the necessary information on the response card and skip the envelope.
It’s also a good idea to include a “reply by” date, usually two to three weeks before the wedding. This gives hosts time to follow up with guests who have yet to reply and to give accurate head counts to wedding vendors, such as caterers.
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What Should A Godparent Do
In the modern baptism of an infant or child, the godparent or godparents make a profession of faith for the person being baptized and assume an obligation to serve as proxies for the parents if the parents either are unable or neglect to provide for the religious training of the child, in fulfillment of
Whose Name Goes First When You Address The Invite
When you start to think about how to address wedding invites, youll probably be wondering which name to put first. Generally speaking, if you know both partners then traditionally the mans name would go first. If youre not worried about tradition go with whichever! Where you know one half of a couple better than the other, put their name first. This would apply for same sex couples too. The key here is dont overthink it most couples are just naturally one way around or the other arent they? Dec & Ant?. Im saying no more.
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Accept And Decline Lines
The accept and decline lines are traditionally worded as accepts with pleasure and declines with regret. There are many other options implying less formality that can be subsituted, such as joyfully accepts / regretfully declines or will attend / will not attend.” A number attending line may also be added for guests to specify how many will comprise their party.
Sending Them Too Late
Look at your wedding date and count back eight weeks . This is the latest you should mail your invitations to give your guests enough time to RSVP and make any travel plans. Having a destination wedding? Count back 12 weeks so your guests dont feel rushed and can shop around for the best travel prices.
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High End Printing Processes A+
This is where Minted wedding invitations really shine: high end options without the price tag. The most expensive part of these techniques is whats called the die: an etched metal stamp thats pressed into the paper to make a regressed design. Since non-custom designs use the same die over and over again, you dont have to pay the $250+ price tag to have one custom made. And that makes it super affordable.
What About Aunty Sue & Uncle Bob
Confused about how to address wedding invites to those family members? Should you use their first name or Mam, Dad, Aunty, Uncle etc? The rule of thumb is to think about who the invitation is coming from and how would the person doing the inviting address the guest in question.
If the invitations are coming from you as a couple and you feel comfortable using Aunty Sue & Uncle Bob then do! If the invites are from the parents of the bride then using Aunty or Uncle then becomes irrelevant.
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Wedding Rsvp Card Goals
A well-crafted RSVP card should accomplish the following:
Proper Etiquette When Guests Fail To Provide Rsvp Reply By The Due Date
What happens when a guest doesnt RSVP to your wedding? According to Tessa, a couple should wait one week after the due date before calling the guests for a verbal response.
While your close friends and family are likely to respond immediately, not everyone has the same enthusiasm or focus. But it doesnt mean theyre not excited about your wedding!
Most of the time, people simply forget to mail the RSVP reply or the card gets lost in the mail.
If a guest misses the RSVP date, grant them a one-week grace period. After seven days, give them a call. A friendly call is enough to get an accurate head count for your wedding day and keep everyone happy.
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Some Bonus Tips From Jo
Now youve addressed your wedding invitations, youre probably wondering how much its going to be to post them all out. Well, surprise surprise theres no definitive answer to that either. Do go and have a read of my blog post What stamps will I need for my wedding invitations though that will give you lots of hand tips to consider before buying your stamps and heading off to the post box.
When youre collating your guest list for those invites, keep a record of them all and start to think about what names youre going to use on your table plan and place cards. If you plan to use surnames throughout then its a good idea to start finding them out early on . Have a read of my blog What names do I use on my table plan and place cards for more advice.
Pin this image and save How to address wedding invites to your wedding planning board so you can find it when you need it.
*Advice on traditional etiquette can be found on Debretts website
Consider It The Letter That Stumps Party Guests Time And Time Again
Theres a party coming up and youre invited! You got the invite, which has all the information you need about where and when the party is. It might even have a P.S. with info about gifts to give or what to wear. Now its your turnyou should be courteous and RSVP to the invite by the indicated time. Many invitations, especially to larger, fancier events, will include a response card for you to RSVP and send back. A lot of these RSVP cards have a line on them preceded by a capital M. Is your name supposed to go there? If so, what does that M mean? And, for that matter, what does RSVP stand for in the first place?
Also Check: Addressing Wedding Invitations To Family
Choosing Your Wedding Invitation Style
The wording and design, from typeface to the color, weight, and even texture of the paper, all subtly shape how your wedding will be perceived. If you’re planning a casual beach wedding, for example, then that should be conveyed from the start in the design of the invitation. On the other hand, if you picture your wedding guests in tuxedos and floor-length gowns, then the invitation should be equally formal in tone and style. Here are more style options to consider when creating your wedding invitations.
And Finallysend Your Rsvp Back On Time
Wedding attendees should reply in time for the couple to receive the RSVP card back by the requested due date.
But our best advice is to reply as soon as possible after receiving the wedding invitations. If you respond that you will be attending the wedding and then later find out you wont be able to make it, call the couple as soon as possible to let them know.
Remember – as the wedding date gets closer, couples are often creating what can be a very complicated seating plan and confirming head count with vendors. Give them as much time as possible to adjust it as necessary.
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Do I Have To Keep The M
Many Persnickety brides are abandoning the singular M for the word Name or even just an empty line. This is acceptable for more modern or less formal events. However, if your wedding falls in the category of ultra traditional or is a black tie affair, we suggest sticking with tradition and including the M on your RSVP card.
Do you have a specific question when it comes to your wedding stationery? Persnickety would love to help! Click here to schedule your appointment with an invitation specialist and let us help you find the perfect paper suite, with or without the M!
