How to reply to a wedding invitation on WhatsApp: accepting, declining and sending blessings
Replies to copy for a wedding invitation on WhatsApp: yes, no or not sure yet, for relatives, friends and colleagues, in English and Hindi, and what hosts need.
Reply within a day or two, in the same chat: congratulate the couple, thank whoever sent it, and say clearly whether you will come, how many of you, and to which functions. If the invitation has a reply form, fill it in too, because that is where the family is counting. If you cannot come, say so early and warmly, with your blessings, and call if they are close family.
On this page
A wedding invitation on WhatsApp still deserves a proper reply. Somewhere a family is counting plates for five functions, and a "try karenge" helps nobody.
We make invitations and the private lists where guests' replies land, so we see what hosts need back and what actually reaches them. Here is how to reply, yes or no, with lines to copy in English, Hindi and Hinglish.
What the family needs to know from you
Behind every invitation is a family turning replies into numbers for the caterer and the hotel. Give them, in one message:
- Yes or no. A clear answer, even when it is no.
- How many of you. The number, and the names if they ask for them.
- Which functions. Only the ones you were invited to. The sangeet and the wedding often have very different counts.
- When you arrive, if you are travelling, and whether you need a stay.
- Your food preference, only if they ask.
Reply within a day or two of receiving it, and before the reply-by date if there is one. If you do not know yet, say when you will. Our RSVP guide for hosts shows the other side: why the family needs each answer, and when.
Reply on the form, on WhatsApp, or both?
Look at what you received before you type.
- If the invitation has a reply form, fill it in. That is where the family is counting. On an Invifest invitation, for example, the form's answers go straight into the family's private list of replies, while a WhatsApp message has to be copied in by hand.
- If the link greeted you by name, it is your own. Your reply on it is counted against your name, and the family sees it the moment you send it. Some of these invitations let you change your reply later, from the same phone.
- Then send a line on WhatsApp too. A form gives the family a number; a message tells them you are happy for them.
- If it is a picture, a PDF or a video, there is no form. Reply in the chat, with everything in one message: yes or no, how many, and which functions.
Saying yes
Congratulate the couple, thank whoever sent it, and give the details in one go. Name the functions if you are not coming to all of them, and say how many of you. For the elders and close family, a call or a voice note says more than a typed line, and many families still expect one.
If you are travelling, add when you arrive and leave. It saves the family a call later, when they are arranging rooms and pickups.
Declining without hurting anyone
A clear no helps the family; silence does not. Say it early, warmly and without a long explanation. One line of reason is enough: travel, an exam, a family commitment, a new baby at home.
- Send your blessings, to the couple by name.
- Call the elders instead of typing. A no to a grandparent's or an uncle's invitation is better said than sent.
- Offer to meet the couple later, if you mean it.
- Say it before the reply-by date, so the family can plan without you.
- Do not say you will try unless there is a real chance. If there is, say by when you will know.
If you want to send a gift or shagun even though you cannot come, that is between you and the family. Many invitations now say "blessings only", and that is worth taking at its word.
Not sure yet, coming for one function, or bringing someone
- Not sure yet. Say so, and give a date: "We will confirm by Sunday." Then confirm by Sunday.
- Only one function. Say which: "We will come for the reception, but cannot make the haldi."
- Bringing someone. Ask first. "Sapariwar" means your household is invited; a friend, a new partner or a visiting relative is a question for the hosts, not a surprise at the gate.
- Children. If the invitation names only the adults, ask before bringing the children.
- Plans change. Tell the family as soon as they do, and change your reply on the invitation if it lets you. A late change is far better than an empty chair or a missing plate.
Replying to a group, or by email
If the invitation came to a family group or an office group, a short congratulation in the group is lovely, but send your actual reply to the person who sent it, privately. In a group it gets lost under fifty others, and nobody is counting there.
If it came by email, from a colleague or from a family abroad, reply to the email with the same details: yes or no, how many of you, which functions, and a line of congratulations. There is an email reply to copy below.
When to call instead of typing
- The elders and close family, whether you are saying yes or no.
- The parents' generation, when the invitation came from them.
- A no to a close relative's wedding. It should never arrive as a text alone.
- When you need to ask something, such as bringing a child or arriving late.
- When they called you to invite you. Reply the same way.
Our etiquette guide explains who is invited in person and who by message, which usually tells you how to reply.
After you reply
Keep the link. A good invitation link is updated when a time or a venue changes, so open it again the day before rather than trusting an old screenshot. If the invitation has a place for blessings, leave one there too; the couple will read every one.
If an "invitation" asks you to install an app, open a file ending in .apk, or type an OTP, do not reply to it at all: call the family. Our guide to telling a real invitation from a scam explains why. And after the wedding, when the couple thank you, our thank-you messages page has the other side of that conversation.
Replies you can copy
For every case: yes, no, not sure yet, one function only, by email and on the phone. Change what is in [square brackets]. For more lines in Hindi, see our Hindi messages.
Congratulations to [Name] and [Name]! Thank you so much for the invitation.
We will be there, [number] of us, for the [functions]. Looking forward to it.
सादर प्रणाम। निमंत्रण के लिए बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद।
हम [संख्या] लोग [कार्यक्रम] में अवश्य उपस्थित रहेंगे। वर-वधू को हमारा आशीर्वाद।
Bahut bahut badhai! Nimantran ke liye dhanyavaad.
Hum [number] log [function] mein zaroor aayenge.
Finally!! Bahut saari badhai yaar.
Hum dono aa rahe hain, sangeet bhi aur shaadi bhi. Dance practice shuru karte hain.
Congratulations, [Name], and thank you for inviting me. I will be happy to join you at the reception on [date].
Congratulations! We will be there, [number] of us, for the [functions].
We arrive on [date] by [train / flight] at [time], and leave on [date]. Do tell us if we can help with anything.
Thank you for the invitation, and many congratulations!
We will come for the [function] on [date], [number] of us. We cannot make it to the [other function], and we are sorry to miss it.
Many congratulations, and thank you for inviting us!
We are still working out our travel, and will confirm by [date] at the latest.
Thank you so much for the invitation, and many congratulations to the whole family.
I am sorry we cannot be with you on [date]: [one line of reason]. Please give our blessings to [Name] and [Name]. We will come and see them soon.
निमंत्रण के लिए हार्दिक धन्यवाद और ढेरों बधाई।
क्षमा कीजिए, [कारण] के कारण हम उस दिन नहीं आ पाएँगे। नवदंपति को हमारा स्नेह और आशीर्वाद।
Thank you for the invitation, [Name], and congratulations! I am sorry to miss the reception: I am [away / travelling] that week. Wishing you both a lovely celebration.
We are so happy for you both! We cannot travel for the wedding this time, but our hearts will be with you on [date], and we cannot wait to see the photos.
Namaste [Name] ji, a change from our side: [we can come after all / one of us cannot come]. It will be [number] of us for the [functions].
I have changed it on the invitation too. Sorry for the trouble.
Subject: [Name] and [Name]'s wedding: our reply
Dear [Name],
Thank you for the invitation, and congratulations to [Name] and [Name].
We will be attending, [number] of us, for the [functions]. We arrive on [date].
With warm wishes,
[Your name]
Namaste [Name] ji, main [your name]. Card mil gaya, bahut bahut badhai!
Hum [number] log [function] mein aa rahe hain. Koi bhi kaam ho to zaroor batana.
Wishing [Name] and [Name] a lifetime of laughing at the same jokes and forgiving each other quickly. All our love and blessings.
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Questions people ask
How do I reply to a wedding invitation on WhatsApp?
Within a day or two, in the same chat: congratulate the couple, thank them, and say whether you will come, how many of you and for which functions. If the invitation has a reply form, fill it in as well.
How do I politely decline a wedding invitation?
Early and warmly, with one line of reason and your blessings for the couple. Call the elders and close family rather than typing a no, and say it before the reply-by date.
Wedding invitation ka reply kaise de in English?
Short and warm: "Congratulations, and thank you for the invitation. We will be there, two of us, for the wedding and the reception." If you cannot come: "Thank you for inviting us. We cannot come on the day, but our blessings are with you both."
How do I reply to a wedding invitation in Hindi?
"निमंत्रण के लिए बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद। हम [संख्या] लोग अवश्य आएँगे।" For a no, thank them and send your blessings. Lines for both, in Devanagari and Roman Hindi, are among the replies above.
Do I still need to reply if the invitation has a reply form?
Fill in the form: that is where the family counts. A short WhatsApp line as well is a kindness, not a duty.
How soon should I reply to a wedding invitation?
Within a day or two, and always before the reply-by date if there is one. If you are not sure, say when you will know.
Can I bring a friend or my partner to the wedding?
Only if they are named on the invitation or the family says yes. Sapariwar means your household; for anyone else, ask the hosts first.
What if my plans change after I have replied?
Tell the family straight away, and change your reply on the invitation if it lets you. A late change is far better than an empty chair or a missing plate.
How do I confirm an RSVP by email?
Reply to the email with a clear subject, your answer, how many of you and which functions, and a line of congratulations. There is an email reply to copy on this page.
Should I reply in the WhatsApp group where the invitation was shared?
A congratulation in the group is fine. Send your actual reply to the person who sent the invitation, privately, where it will not be lost.
