Letter of Invitation - how to write and samples

In this article, you will learn how to write letters of Invitation in English with the help of sample opening and closing sentences and sample letters. This article will help you to write FCE Invitation Letters, PET Invitation letters, Invitation letter for ZNO exam and The Unified State Exam (EGE). You can download the examples of letters of Invitation in word and pdf for free.

Letters of invitation

Letters of invitation can be formal or informal depending on the situation and who we are writing to. They usually contain some additional information, for example: latest news, description of the event (party, wedding, etc.) place (hotel, house, etc.) and/or directions to the place.

Useful Language for Letters of Invitation

How do you start a letter of Invitation?

Opening Remarks:

Formal:

• We would be honoured if you
• I cordially invite you to
• Your presence would be appreciated at
• You are invited to attend

 Informal:

• I'm writing to invite you to ...
• I’d love it if you could come to
• We’re organising a ... and would love it if you could come,

 Closing Remarks:

 Formal:

• We would be grateful if you could
• Please indicate whether you will be able to attend

 Informal:

• I hope you’ll be able to make it
• Hope you can come
• Looking forward to seeing you then
• Please let me know as soon as possible, etc.

 

Directions can be introduced by using some of the following expressions: In case you don’t know the way, I'll give you some directions /1 have included some directions / Here are a few directions so you don’t get lost / In case you do not know the exact location of the ..., etc.

Letters accepting/refusing an invitation

Letters accepting/refusing an invitation can be formal or informal. In letters accepting an invitation, we begin by expressing thanks for the invitation. Further comments can be included such as asking the person whether there is anything we can do, or asking for more information concerning the invitation.

In letters refusing an invitation, we begin by expressing thanks for the invitation, and we go on to give reasons why we are unable to accept it.

Useful Language for Letters Accepting an Invitation

Opening Remarks:

Formal:

• I am writing to thank you for the kind invitation
• Thank you for the kind invitation which I would be honoured to accept

Informal:

• Thanks for the invitation to ....... sounds lovely ...

Closing Remarks:

 Formal:

• I look forward to seeing you
• We await the event with great anticipation

Informal:

• See you then
• We’re really looking forward to it

Useful Language for Letters Refusing an Invitation

Opening Remarks:

Formal:

• We thank you for your recent invitation to ... but

Informal:

• Thanks for the invitation, but
• Thanks for inviting me to .... but
• I’m afraid I can’t come

 Closing Remarks:

 Formal:

• I am sorry to miss the opportunity of
• Thank you again for the invitation
• I hope we will have the opportunity to meet

Informal:

• I hope we can get together some other time
• I’m really sorry we’ll have to miss it

 

Informal invitation sample 1

Example Letter of Invitation: invitation to house-warming party

Dear Ann and David.

We're writing to invite you to our house-warming party on May 26th.

Our new house is wonderful; it’s a semi-detached town house with three bedrooms and a small back garden. The kitchen is huge, and is fitted with wooden cupboards that make you feel as if you are in a country kitchen. All three bedrooms are rather small but very cosy. The living room is quite big and has lovely French windows which open onto a terrace.

You shouldn't have too much trouble finding the house, but here are a few...

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Informal accepting of invitation sample 2 

Example Letter of Invitation: invitation to Christmas party

Dear Richard and Judy,

Thanks for the invitation to your Christmas party on December 18th.

John and I were really pleased to receive it and we’d love to come. Its lucky for us that you chose the 18th, actually, as it’s the only day of that week that we're free.

It’s been such a long time since we've seen each other so it will be great to get together and catch up on all the news. Please let me know if there's anything...

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Informal refusing an invitation sample 3

Refusing an invitation example letter

Dear Richard and Judy,

The Christmas party you invited us to on December 18th sounds lovely.

Unfortunately, we won’t be able to make it as it is John's mother's birthday on that day and she is having a small family party to celebrate. She's - almost eighty years old and still as strong as ever - it’s amazing!

It’s such a pity because...

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Informal letter of invitation sample 4

Example Letter of Invitation: invitation to a birthday party

Dear Emily,

I’m writing to invite you to my birth­day celebration on Friday, 15 June. It's going to be an all-day affair, so you should be here by eleven o'clock in the morning.

Since it’s my sixteenth birthday, my parents want it to be a very special day, so this is what we’re going to do. First we’re going to take everyone to the sta­bles and hire horses. Then we're going to ride to the Elmington Estate and have a picnic there, when we get back, there will be...

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Informal accepting an invitation to an event sample 5

Accepting an invitation example letter

Dear Karmen,

Thank you so much for your invitation. I'd love to come to your birthday celebration. It sounds like it's going to be really good. You know how much I like riding!

I’m writing this from my cousin's house, where Sarah and I are practising our piece for the music festival next week. Sarah's singing and I’m playing the piano. We’re doing a song from a musical so it's quite fun and not too difficult, but even so we're getting nervous already. We’re going to go shopping for...

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Formal letter of invitation sample 6

Example Letter of Invitation: invitation to a club meeting

Dear Mr. Pritchard,

I would like to invite you to our annual club meeting which will take place this year on 21st December. The meeting will be held in the clubs own banqueting suite at 8.00 pm.

This will be an occasion to express any new ideas about the club. It is a time to consider where improvements can be made in order to please our members. We will also...

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Formal refusing an invitation sample 7 

Refusing an Invitation

Dear Mr. Prescott,

I am sorry to say that I will not be able to attend the annual club meeting on the 21st of December.

Unfortunately, I am in hospital at the moment recovering from an appendix operation. I have to stay here for a little longer than I originally thought, and therefore will be absent.

Nevertheless, I would like to make a request for the club's future. I think that if you...

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