Invitations

I was about to draft my next blog which was supposed to be the study of the correct use of quotation marks, parentheses, dashes, and brackets, but, a neighbor came by the house today and asked if I could help her out with writing an invitation letter, to which, of course, I readily obliged. Hence, today's topic.

We may classify invitations to two types: formal, and informal.

Formal invitations

Formal invitations are usually written in the third person, with no heading, no salutation, no complimentary close, no inside address, and no signature. The writer should not refer to himself as I or the addressee as you. Avoid all abbreviations except Mr., Mrs., Dr., and Messrs. Numbers occurring in dates should be spelled out.

Here is a sample:

Mr. and Mrs. Arturo C. Fortin

request the company of

Mr. and Mrs. Rodolfo L. Castaneda

at dinner on Saturday, the second of April,

at seven-thirty o'clock

28 Sunset Drive

Lakeside Hills, Antipolo City

Acceptances and refusals should follow the same degree of formality as is observed in the invitation. If the invitation is formal, the reply should likewise be formal.

Below is a sample of a formal letter of acceptance to the invitation given above:

Mr. and Mrs. Rodolfo L. Castaneda accept with pleasure the invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Arturo C. Fortin to dinner on Saturday, the second of April, at seven-thirty o'clock.

17 Camden Road
March the tenth


And, here is a sample of a formal letter of refusal to the above given invitation :

Mr. and Mrs. Rodolfo L. Castaneda regret exceedingly that, because of a previous engagement, they will be unable to accept the invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Arturo C. Fortin to dinner on Saturday, the second of April, at seven-thirty o'clock.

17 Camden Road
March the tenth

Informal invitations

The form of personal letters varies, depending on the degree of intimacy between the writer and the person addressed. Informal invitations are more personal and intimate. Such letters usually have a heading, an inside address, a salutation, and a signature. It is customary for the writer to place his own address in the lower left corner of the letter. The writer may use the first person, referring to himself as I and to the addressee as you.

Below is a sample of a letter of informal invitation:





Dear Yayette,

Jamie graduated first honor in class this school year; and by way of a celebration, Grace and I are planning a very small informal dinner party for Jamie at our residence, next Saturday, April 9.

We would certainly be delighted if you and the kids could be with us.

Please make it by seven o'clock.


 

Don Nombrado

April 2, 2011

Acknowledgements of informal invitations may likewise be personal and informal, and such may include a heading, an inside address, a salutation, a complimentary close, and a signature. The use of the pronoun I is permissible.

The sample below is a reply to the preceding invitation:


April 3, 2011


Dear Don,

Congratulations to Jamie!

The kids and I are very much delighted to accept with thanks to your kind invitation to dinner party for Jamie at your residence, on Saturday, April 9.

We look forward to seeing you, Grace and Jamie on that very special occasion.

Sincerely,



Yayette Llana

 

1975 Barnley Street
Eastside Manor
Taytay, Rizal