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"Sorry I can't make it" slips

Cancelling is mostly about timing: say it as soon as you know, say it plainly, and say what you'll do instead. These lines do all three.

In the print dialogue, choose "Save as PDF" as the destination to keep a copy.

How to use it

Send it the moment you know, not the night before if you can help it.
Give one reason, not three - stacked reasons read as excuses.
Where numbers or money are involved, offer to cover your place.

A wedding or a big day

I'm so sorry - we can't make [date] after all. I know that affects your numbers, so tell me what we owe and it's covered.
This is the message I didn't want to send: we can't be there. We'll be raising a glass to you from here.

For a wedding, follow the text with a card. It's the bit people remember.

A birthday or a party

Gutted, but I can't make tonight. Have a brilliant one and save me a slice.
I have to bail on Saturday, sorry. Can I take you out the week after to make up for it?

Illness, last minute

I've woken up with something and I don't want to bring it to your house. So sorry to do this today.
I'm not well enough to come tonight. Please don't hold anything up for me.

Work and formal

Apologies, I'm no longer able to attend on [date]. Please pass my apologies to the team.
I have to withdraw from [event] - a clash I couldn't move. Sorry for the short notice.

Making it right afterwards

Still thinking about missing your day. Are you free on [date]? Lunch is on me.
Sorry again for last week. I've popped something in the post to say it properly.

Where this came from

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