How to reply to a wedding invitation

Getting the invitation is easy; knowing how to reply to a wedding invitation without sounding stiff or careless is the harder part. A good reply does three things: it thanks the person who invited you, it congratulates the couple, and it gives a clear answer. Below are replies on WhatsApp and formal ones, for accepting, declining and saying maybe, and for replying to elders and in Hindi.

• How to reply, step by step
• Accepting, declining and not sure yet
• Can't come, but sending blessings and late replies
• Replying to elders, in Hindi and formal replies
• Shagun and gifts and RSVP on an invite link

How do you reply to a wedding invitation?

1. Reply the way it came. A WhatsApp invite gets a WhatsApp reply. A card given by hand, or a call from an elder, deserves a call back.
2. Reply within a few days. Hosts plan food and seating from the answers. If there is a reply-by date, beat it.
3. Thank, congratulate, answer. In that order, in two or three lines.
4. Say how many of you. “The four of us” or “just me” saves the host a follow-up call.
5. Use the RSVP button if there is one. A WhatsApp reply is polite; the RSVP is how the hosts count.

Replies to accept a wedding invitation

Warm, short and clear. Mention which functions you will attend if the invitation lists several.

• Simple yes Copy

  Thank you so much for the invitation! Congratulations to [Bride] and [Groom]. We'll definitely be there, all [number] of us. 🙏

• Close friend Copy

  Finally! Of course I'm coming. Count me in for every function, and I'm already planning my sangeet outfit. 💃

• Specific functions Copy

  Thank you for inviting us! We'll be at the wedding and the reception. Sadly we can't make the haldi, but we'll be there in spirit.

• Colleague Copy

  Thank you for the invitation, [Name]. Congratulations to you both. I'll be at the reception on [Date].

• Family Copy

  Bahut bahut badhai ho! Hum sab zaroor aayenge. Kuch kaam ho toh batana, pehle aa jaayenge.

• With travel Copy

  Thank you for thinking of us! We'll be there. Booking our tickets this week; we arrive on [Date].

Replies to decline a wedding invitation politely

A short, honest reason is enough; nobody needs the full story. Send blessings, and for close family, call as well.

• Warm no Copy

  Thank you so much for the invitation. I'm so sorry I can't make it this time, but my best wishes to [Bride] and [Groom] for a beautiful life together.

• Prior commitment Copy

  Thank you for inviting me, [Name]. I have a family commitment on [Date] that I can't move, but I'm very happy for you both. Let's meet soon after.

• Travelling Copy

  Congratulations! I'll be out of the country on [Date] and can't change it. I'll be thinking of you on the day; please send photos.

• Colleague Copy

  Thank you for the kind invitation. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend on [Date], but congratulations to you and [Partner].

• Health Copy

  Thank you so much for inviting us. Papa isn't keeping well, so we can't travel just now. Our blessings are with the couple.

• Offering a visit Copy

  I'm so sorry to miss the wedding. Can I come and see the two of you when you're back from the honeymoon? Lots of love.

Replies when you are not sure yet

Don't leave the host guessing. Say when you will know, and then actually tell them.

• Will confirm Copy

  Thank you for the invitation! I'm trying to work out leave and will confirm by [Date]. Fingers crossed.

• Travel pending Copy

  Congratulations! We'd love to come; just waiting on tickets. I'll let you know by [Date] either way.

• Part of the family Copy

  Thank you! [Spouse] and I will be there; I'll confirm about the children by this weekend.

• Reception only, maybe Copy

  Thank you so much. The reception looks possible for us; I'll confirm the rest by [Date].

When you can't come but want to send blessings

• Blessings Copy

  Heartiest congratulations to [Bride] and [Groom]. We can't be there in person, but our blessings will be. Wishing them a lifetime of happiness.

• Elder's blessing Copy

  Dono bachchon ko dher saara aashirwad. Hum aa nahi paayenge, par dil se aapke saath hain.

• With shagun Copy

  We're sorry to miss the wedding. We're sending a small shagun with [Name], who will be there. Blessings to the couple.

• Video call Copy

  We can't travel for the wedding, but please set up a video call for the pheras. We'd love to watch and bless them.

Late replies

Apologise once, briefly, then answer. A late answer is still far better than none.

• Sorry for the delay Copy

  So sorry for the late reply! Thank you for the invitation. Yes, we'll be there on [Date].

• Late no Copy

  Apologies for replying so late. Unfortunately we can't make it, but our best wishes to [Bride] and [Groom].

• Missed the date Copy

  I'm so sorry, I missed the reply-by date. If there's still room, I'd love to come. If not, completely understood, and congratulations!

Replying to elders

When an elder calls or visits to invite you, call back to accept or decline. Send a message too, so they have your answer in writing.

• Accepting, to an uncle Copy

  Pranam Chacha ji. Invitation ke liye dhanyavaad. Hum sab [Date] ko zaroor aayenge. [Name] ko bahut badhai.

• Declining, to an aunt Copy

  Namaste Bua ji. Aapne itne pyaar se bulaya, par us din hum shehar se bahar hain. Bahut afsos hai. Dono ko hamara aashirwad aur pyaar.

• Formal elder Copy

  Respected [Name] ji, thank you for the invitation. It will be our privilege to attend [Bride/Groom]'s wedding on [Date].

Replies in Hindi

• स्वीकार Copy

  निमंत्रण के लिए हार्दिक धन्यवाद। [वधू] और [वर] को बहुत-बहुत बधाई। हम सपरिवार अवश्य आएँगे।

• असमर्थता Copy

  निमंत्रण के लिए बहुत धन्यवाद। खेद है कि हम [दिनांक] को उपस्थित नहीं हो पाएँगे। नव-दंपत्ति को हमारी हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ।

• आशीर्वाद Copy

  आपके निमंत्रण से बहुत प्रसन्नता हुई। वर-वधू को हमारा आशीर्वाद। ईश्वर उन्हें सदा सुखी रखे।

Formal replies to a wedding invitation

For a printed card, a formal invite from a senior colleague or a family you don't know well, match the tone of the invitation.

• Formal yes Copy

  Thank you for the kind invitation to the wedding of [Bride] and [Groom]. We shall be delighted to attend on [Date].

• Formal no Copy

  Thank you for the kind invitation to the wedding of [Bride] and [Groom]. We regret that we are unable to attend, and send our warmest wishes for their happiness.

What about shagun and gifts?

Shagun is usually given in person at the wedding or reception, in an envelope, often with a one-rupee coin added so the amount doesn't end in a zero. If you can't attend, send it with a relative who is going, or give it when you next meet the couple. Some couples now ask for no gifts on the invitation; respect that, and let your message carry the warmth.

Don't ask about gifts in your reply. If you want to know, ask a sibling or a close friend of the couple instead.

Replying on an invite link with an RSVP

More invitations now arrive as a link that opens a small website. If it has an RSVP button, use it: tap yes or no, add how many people are coming, and tick the functions you will attend. The host sees the reply straight away, counted with everyone else's, which is much easier for them than scrolling back through a hundred WhatsApp chats.

Reply in the chat as well, with a line of congratulations; the RSVP gives the numbers and the message gives the warmth. On an invitation website shared on WhatsApp, your reply can also open a WhatsApp chat with the host, ready for you to send, if they have switched that on. If you are the one sending invitations, see how to invite for a wedding and the wedding invitation messages; for friends and the office, the messages for friends and colleagues.