What to Write in a Wedding Card: 100+ Wishes and Tips

How to Use This Guide

This guide mirrors the structure of a comprehensive wedding card resource with categorized messages, etiquette tips, and example sign-offs so you can tailor your note to any couple and circumstance. It includes casual and formal wishes, messages for friends and family, religious and cultural options, quotes, and ways to personalize. According to The Knot’s editorial on wedding wishes, short, sweet, and sincere messages are always appropriate, and you can keep your tone casual no matter your relationship if that feels most comfortable.

Wedding Card Etiquette: Quick Basics

• Address both partners unless you’re writing a private note to someone you know better.
• Keep it positive: focus on love, support, and celebration.
• Short is fine: heartfelt one- or two-line messages work perfectly well.
• Add a sign-off that matches your tone (see sign-off examples below).
• Include a gift message if you’re referencing a present or cash contribution; save logistics for thank-you notes.

Casual Wedding Wishes

Keep it simple and warm if a formal tone doesn’t feel natural. Short and cheerful sentiments are always appropriate for a wedding card.

• Wishing you lots of love and a lifetime of happiness.
• So happy to celebrate this special day with you both!
• Here’s to a long and happy married life!
• Let the adventure begin!
• Warmest wishes for a fun-filled future together.
• Wishing you the best—today and always.

Short and Sweet Wedding Messages

If you’re writing on a small card, a few words are enough to share your joy. Other wedding sites also suggest brief, sincere lines for any couple and scenario.

• Congratulations to a wonderful couple.
• Best wishes on your wedding day.
• Lots of love today and beyond.
• Here’s to a future full of love and adventure.
• Wishing you a lifetime of joy together.

Formal Wedding Wishes

Use formal language for traditional ceremonies, formal invitations, or when writing to acquaintances or elders.

• May your marriage be filled with enduring love, respect, and joy.
• Wishing you a lifetime of shared happiness and cherished memories.
• Congratulations on your union—may your partnership be blessed today and always.
• With warmest regards as you begin this beautiful chapter together.
• May your vows today be the foundation of an extraordinary life.

Funny Wedding Wishes

Light-hearted messages can be charming—just keep humor kind and couple-appropriate.

• Marriage: the ultimate team project. Snacks recommended.
• Here’s to love, laughter, and negotiating who does the dishes.
• Congrats—may your life together be as sweet as your wedding cake and only half as crumbly.
• Love is blind; marriage is an eye-opener—in the best way. Cheers!
• May your home be full of laughter and your Wi-Fi always strong.

Wedding Wishes for Friends

Speak from the heart and nod to your shared history.

• Watching your love story unfold has been a joy—cheers to the next chapter.
• So proud of you both—your love inspires everyone around you.
• From late-night chats to your big day—I wouldn’t miss this for the world.
• Here’s to a lifetime of inside jokes and new adventures.
• May your marriage be as strong as our friendship and twice as fun.

Wedding Wishes for Family

Family messages often include a warm welcome and support.

• Welcome to the family—our hearts are so full today.
• May your marriage bring our families even closer together.
• We’re grateful to celebrate you both and all that lies ahead.
• Our love and support are with you today and always.
• Here’s to decades of family dinners and happy memories.

Wedding Wishes for Siblings

Mix sentiment with a personal touch (and a little sibling humor if it fits).

• To my favorite partner-in-crime—wishing you a lifetime of love.
• I always knew you’d find your perfect match—so thrilled for you both.
• New last name, same amazing sibling—congrats on your forever.
• Here’s to the best decision you ever made (besides being related to me).
• Your happiness means the world to me—cheers to your beautiful marriage.

Wedding Wishes for Parents and Grandparents

When writing as a child or grandchild, express gratitude and admiration.

• Your love has always been my example—wishing you endless happiness as you celebrate this milestone.
• Thank you for teaching me what love looks like—congratulations on your special day.
• May this new chapter bring you peace, joy, and well-deserved celebration.
• Your partnership is an inspiration—cheers to many more years together.

Wedding Wishes for Coworkers

Keep it friendly and professional with a positive tone—short messages are ideal.

• Wishing you a joyful wedding day and a lifetime of happiness together.
• Congratulations on your marriage—so happy for you and your partner.
• Cheers to a wonderful new chapter outside the office—enjoy every moment.
• Best wishes to you both as you begin this exciting journey.

Religious Wedding Wishes

Choose language that reflects the couple’s faith. The Knot’s guide to Christian wishes offers many options, from blessings to prayers.

Christian Wedding Wishes

• May God bless you on your wedding day and all the years to come.
• We are sending you prayers and love as you say “I do” in the presence of God.
• May your marriage reflect God’s love and bring you closer to Him and to each other.
• I pray your lives together are filled with blessings, courage, and joy.
• As you begin this sacred union, know that God walks beside you.

Interfaith or Non-Denominational Blessings

• Wishing you a spiritual partnership rooted in love, compassion, and respect.
• May your union be blessed with harmony, wisdom, and peace.
• Sending you light and love as you begin this beautiful covenant.

Cultural and Inclusive Wishes

Honor the couple’s identities and traditions with inclusive, affirming language.

• Wishing you a celebration that reflects your cultures and the life you’re building together.
• May your marriage be a welcoming home for all that makes you both unique.
• Here’s to love in all its beautiful forms—congratulations to you both.

Messages for Specific Scenarios

If You Can’t Attend

• We’re celebrating you from afar—wishing you a magical day and a lifetime of happiness.
• So sorry to miss your big day; sending love and our warmest congratulations.

Elopements and Intimate Weddings

• Whether big or small, your love is what matters—congratulations on your beautiful union.
• Wishing you a private celebration filled with pure joy and meaning.

Destination Weddings

• Cheers to love, adventure, and a wedding day worthy of your passports.
• May your celebration be as breathtaking as your destination.

Second Marriages

• Wishing you a love that honors your journeys and celebrates your future together.
• May this chapter be filled with peace, joy, and newfound magic.

What to Write with a Gift

If you’re including or referencing a gift, a single line acknowledging it can be a thoughtful touch. For thank-you phrasing ideas, wedding thank-you card guides outline specific wording for many gift types, which can inspire how you reference a present in your card.

• We hope this helps you start your new home together—congratulations!
• Here’s a little something for your next adventure—wishing you endless joy.
• Cheers to your future—enjoy this gift with our love and best wishes.

How to Personalize Your Wedding Card

Add meaningful details to make your message feel tailored and memorable.

• Mention a favorite memory with the couple or a moment from their love story.
• Refer to something specific in the ceremony or venue, if you attended.
• Include hopes for their future that reflect their personalities or plans.
• Keep your handwriting neat, and consider adding a short quote they’ll love.

Romantic Quotes to Include

Short quotes can add resonance. Keep excerpts brief to leave room for your own words.

• “Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” — Emily Brontë
• “Love recognizes no barriers.” — Maya Angelou
• “We are most alive when we’re in love.” — John Updike
• “True love stories never have endings.” — Richard Bach

Do’s and Don’ts

• Do keep your message positive, supportive, and specific.
• Do keep it concise if you’re unsure of tone; short and sweet is always welcome.
• Do use a sign-off that matches your relationship and message.
• Don’t include jokes that could be misread or too personal.
• Don’t bring up past relationships or sensitive topics.
• Don’t over-apologize if you can’t attend; simply send warm wishes.

How to Sign a Wedding Card

Close with a warm phrase and your name(s). The Knot offers tried-and-true sign-offs you can copy directly.

• Wishing you all the best,
• With love,
• Best wishes,
• Warmest wishes,
• Congratulations,
• Cheers to your happily ever after,
• Lots of love to you both,
• Blessings,
• Love,

Sample Structures You Can Copy

These templates make writing quick and stress-free. Personalize with names, a detail, or a short memory.

• Classic: Congratulations on your wedding day. Wishing you a lifetime of love, laughter, and happiness. With love, [Your Name].
• Casual: So happy for you two! Here’s to your next adventure—can’t wait to celebrate together soon. Cheers, [Your Name].
• Formal: With heartfelt congratulations on your marriage. May your union be blessed with peace, joy, and enduring love. Sincerely, [Your Name].
• Religious: May God’s love guide your marriage and bless your home. Sending prayers and joy today and always. With love, [Your Name].
• Funny: Congrats on finding the person you want to annoy for life—in the sweetest way. All my love, [Your Name].
• From the Office: Wishing you both happiness and a wonderful celebration. Best wishes, [Team/Your Name].

FAQs

Do I have to include both names in the card?

When writing to the couple, address both partners in your greeting. If you’re adding a private note to the person you know best, it’s acceptable to include a short personal line to them as well.

Is it okay to write a casual message?

Yes. Short, sweet, and casual wishes are always appropriate, regardless of your relationship to the couple.

What’s the best way to sign off?

Choose a closing that matches your tone. Time-tested options include “With love,” “Best wishes,” and “Cheers to your happily ever after,” followed by your name(s).

Should I reference a gift in the card?

You can add a simple line acknowledging a gift or intention (especially for cash funds), but detailed acknowledgments are typically handled in the couple’s thank-you notes.

Can I add religious language?

If it reflects the couple’s beliefs, religious blessings and prayers are encouraged. For Christian couples, blessings invoking God’s guidance and joy are common.

Final Touches

If you’re unsure what to write, start with a simple congratulations, add one personal line about what you admire in their relationship, include a warm wish for their future, and finish with a friendly sign-off. As leading wedding resources note, sincerity matters more than length—your heartfelt support is what the couple will remember most.