It's awesome to be invited to parties and special events, but you can't always go (and let's face it, sometimes you just might not want to). Don't stress about saying no or trying to be in two places at once. Knowing how to politely decline an invitation can help you avoid hurt feelings and keep your schedule under control. We have etiquette tips and examples to make this potentially sticky situation a breeze.
10 Examples of How to Decline an Invitation
Not sure what to say when you need to say no? Declining an invitation can feel awkward, but there are lots of ways to do it well. We've got some examples to help.
- So sorry I won't be able to come to your party on Saturday. We have other plans.
- We loved your last party and are really sad we can't come next weekend. Thanks for inviting us!
- It was so sweet of you to invite me to your wedding, and I wish I could attend. I'll be out of town, but I'm sending good wishes your way.
- Thanks for inviting me to your birthday party! I already have plans, but I hope you have a wonderful day.
- I'm sorry I can't go to your party next weekend. Thank you for inviting me, though. That was really nice!
- I just opened the invitation to your shower next month, and I'm so sorry I can't attend. I know you're going to be a great mom! Best wishes for your new baby.
- Thank you for the invitation to your wedding. I'm so honored to be invited. Unfortunately, I've already got plans that day, but I hope the day will be perfect for you. Congratulations!
- Thanks for inviting me to your party this weekend. I've been feeling a bit down and just don't feel like being social right now, but I want you to know I really appreciate the invitation anyway. I hope to attend next time.
- We're so sorry we can't come to your dinner party on Friday. With Jack's surgery coming up, we're sticking close to home to avoid catching any colds. Thank you so much for the invitation.
- I was really excited to get the invitation to Kara's grad party. She looks so great in her senior picture! Unfortunately, we can't attend that day, but please tell her we'll be there in spirit.
You don't always have to say why you aren't attending the event. Knowing how to decline an invitation without giving a reason mostly comes down to showing warmth and enthusiasm about the event and expressing gratitude for being invited. If you do that, it's less obvious that you didn't say why you won't be there.
Etiquette Tips for Politely Declining an Invitation
When someone invites you to an event, they're actually being a little bit vulnerable emotionally. They're putting themselves out there to ask for your company, and it's important to take their perspective when you decline. That's easy to do if you keep a few etiquette tips in mind.
Use Your Filter to Avoid Hurt Feelings
If you're skipping this party because you hate their taste in music or think their other friends are boring, keep these little tidbits of information to yourself. Basically, you need to use a filter here if the reason you're not attending is going to hurt the feelings of the person who invited you. The easiest way to know if this could be an issue is to think how you'd feel in their place.
Be Honest About Prior Commitments
While you don't want to tell them if you're skipping this even because of their terrible playlist, you should tell the truth if you already have other plans. This is actually the easiest way to decline an invitatin, since it's clear that your reason isn't personal.
Show Warmth
If you really wish you could go, say that. It means a lot to other people to hear that you want to attend, even if you can't. This is a great way to keep the feelings positive, even if you aren't saying yes to the invitation itself.
No Awkwardness Needed
No matter why you can't attend a party or event, knowing how to politely decline an invitation can help you avoid hurting the host's feelings. If you show you care and thank them for inviting you, you can handle this situation with zero awkwardness.
