What to Write in a Wedding Card: Funny, Thoughtful & Lovely Wishes Ideas

Sharing your wedding wishes with a newlywed couple is a thoughtful way to celebrate their new life together and show your appreciation for being a part of their wedding day. But knowing what to write in a wedding card can be intimidating, especially if you don’t consider yourself to be great with words.

To help you get started, we’ve put together a collection of tips and examples for what to write in a wedding card. Use them as inspiration for your own wedding wishes, and remember that a genuine, from-the-heart message from you is all that really matters.

• Formal Wedding Wishes
• Casual Wedding Card Wishes
• Funny Wedding Card Wishes
• Religious Wedding Card Wishes
• Wedding Wishes for Family
• Wedding Wishes for Son or Daughter
• Wedding Wishes for a Friend
• Wedding Wishes for a Coworker
• What to Write in a Wedding Card When You Can't Attend
• Printable Wedding Gift Tags

Wedding cards are traditionally gifted to the couple at the wedding reception. If you can’t make it to the ceremony, be sure to mail your wedding card as close to the wedding date as possible. The most important rule of thumb when it comes to wedding card etiquette is to write a warm, genuine message unique to the newlyweds.

How to Structure Your Wedding Card Message

Depending on the nature of your relationship with the newlyweds, you might not feel the need to follow a specific message structure when you write your wedding card. However, the standard format of a wedding card message typically follows the format below:

1. Note of congratulations
2. Warm wishes for their new marriage
3. Personal message, memory, joke or marriage advice (this will vary depending on your relationship to the newlyweds)
4. Loving sign off

If you’re stuck on how to word your wedding card message, the format above is a great place to start. For more inspiration, keep reading for a variety of wedding message examples.

Examples for What to Write in a Wedding Card

To get your pen moving, here’s some wedding card inspiration at different levels of formality and for various types of couples:

Formal Wedding Wishes

Examples:

• “Sending you wishes for a lifetime of love and happiness.”
• “I/We wish you all the best as you begin your lives together.”
• “May the years ahead strengthen the love that you share.”
• “Best wishes for a beautiful marriage filled with wonderful memories.”
• “Warm wishes for a beautiful wedding day and a happy union.”
• "May your joining together bring you more joy than you can imagine."
• "May today be the beginning of a long, happy life together."
• "Thank you for letting us/me share in this joyful day. We/I wish you all the best as you embark on this wonderful union."
• "Wishing you joy, love and happiness on your wedding day and as you begin your new life together."
• "May the love and happiness you feel today shine through the years."

Casual Wedding Wishes

If the newlyweds you’re writing to are close friends or family members, a formal message might not feel as genuine. Or perhaps a formal note just doesn’t fit your personality—that’s okay too! Opting for a more casual message allows you to be more personal, and works well when combined with a specific detail or memory you have of the couple.

Examples:

• “Best wishes!”
• “Congratulations on your wedding!”
• “Here’s a little something to start your life together.” (if you’re including a gift)
• “Here’s to a long and happy marriage!”
• "I'm seeing a fun-filled life in your future. Congratulations!"
• “I/We wish you guys lots of love now and always.”
• “Here’s to many years of love and happiness!”
• “Best wishes for an amazing future together.”
• “Hope the days ahead are filled with lots of hugs and kisses.”
• “Wishing you guys fun-filled adventures in married life!”

Funny Wedding Wishes

If you want to make the happy couple laugh, consider writing a funny wedding card message if it will put a smile on their faces! Don’t be afraid to include something laugh-worthy in your note—after all, you know them best, so you can be the judge of what to include based on their sense of humor.

Examples:

• "Thanks for inviting us/me to eat and drink while you get married. Congrats!"
• "I haven't been this happy for anybody since [insert team name here] won the World Series/other championship!"
• Being married is like any other job; it helps if you like your boss. Congratulations!
• "Congratulations—your wedding successfully made me sob like a baby!"
• “Hope you guys have more belly laughs than fights overloading the dishwasher!”
• “Best wishes as you annoy each other for the rest of your lives.”
• “Here’s to endless sleepovers with your favorite weirdo.”
• "Thanks for the free booze. Best wishes on a long, happy marriage!"
• “May Facebook notifications always save you from forgetting your anniversary.”
• “Good luck and remember that dating apps are only getting creepier.”

Religious Wedding Wishes

If the newlywed couple is religious, this could be the perfect way to tailor your wedding card message. A religious wedding card may include mentions of your prayers over their marriage, quotes from scripture, and mentions of God. Be sure to think about the couple’s religious beliefs before you opt for this type of wedding card, and use their practices to frame your note.

Versatile Examples:

• “May God bless your marriage.”
• “May the One who brought you together bless your marriage, enrich your lives and deepen your love throughout the years.”
• “May your union be filled with God’s blessings, now and every day forward.”
• “We/I pray that God will cover you both as you enter this new life together.”
• “Sending you prayers for a marriage filled with love and joy.”
• "God bless you both on this day with a lifetime of shared love and joy."
• “Praying that your marriage will prosper and be strengthened by the love of God each step of the way.”

Christian Examples:

• "Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." –Ephesians 4:32
• "No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." –1 John 4:12
• "'Love is patient. Love is kind… Love never fails.' – 1 Corinthians 13:4-13"

Jewish Examples:

• “Mazel Tov! May joy fill all the days of your life together."
• "'I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine.' – Shir Ha'Shirim/Song of Songs 6:3" Or " 'Ani L'Dodi, v'Dodi Li.' – Shir Ha'Shirim/Song of Songs 6:3"
• "Mazel Tov on your wedding!" or "Mazel Tov on your marriage!”

Wedding Wishes for Family

There’s something special about celebrating the wedding of a close family member. A wedding card message to someone in your own family is a great chance to get personal, and you don’t have to be afraid of being too over the top—in fact, it’s probably expected!

Examples:

• “Today, we add one more member to our family and we couldn’t be happier.”
• “I love you both. Thanks for letting me share in your celebration.”
• I love you both and couldn’t be happier for our family!
• What a beautiful day for our family, we’re finally complete.
• Thanks for letting us share in your celebration.
• “So excited to add a new member to our family! Here’s to a lifetime of love and growing old together.”
• “Today is a wonderful day for our family. Congrats and warm wishes!”
• “Congratulations and welcome to the family! Hope today and every day after is amazing.”
• “We’re so happy to call you both family. Here’s to lots of love and future family drama!”
• “Cheers to family and love! Congrats on getting married you guys.”

Wedding Wishes for Siblings

Your sibling is someone you’ve grown up with and shared some of life’s defining memories with, and watching them get married is one of the greatest milestones you’ll share. When writing a wedding card to one of your own siblings, a good rule of thumb is to just write what feels natural to you.

Examples:

• “I’m so happy to add a brother/sister to our family. Congratulations and best wishes for a happy life together.”
• “Congrats to the best brother/sister in the world and my new brother-in-law/sister-in-law. Lots of love to you both.”
• “So thankful that my brother/sister has found the one whom his/her soul loves. Welcome to the family and congratulations on finding love in each other.”
• “Yay! So excited to gain a sibling today. All my love to you guys!”
• “Best wishes to you guys as you begin your lives together. Let’s celebrate!”
• “For my brother/sister who’s found love. May your wedding be the first day of many years of happiness to come!”
• For my brother/sister who deserves only the best, may your wedding day be everything you’ve dreamt of.”
• To my brother/sister who has always meant so much to me, I am so happy for the wonderful love you’ve found. I’m wishing you all the best on your wedding day.”
• "It seems like yesterday we were playing 'house' in the backyard, and now you get to do it in real life. I couldn't be happier for you both. Congratulations!"
• I couldn’t be happier as a brother/sister than I am to see the joy you’ve found in marriage. Can’t wait to watch you two grow old together.”

Wedding Wishes for Son or Daughter

For many parents, watching their son or daughter get married is a huge milestone. If you’re the mother or father of a bride or groom, you might feel overwhelmed with emotion that can feel tough to put into words. What’s most important is that you express your joy and wish the couple well. From there, feel free to get as personal as you’d like.

Examples:

• “So happy to welcome a new son/daughter to our family. Thank you for the joy you bring my son/daughter. May the joy you feel today last a lifetime!”
• “Today we add a new member to our family and we couldn’t be happier. Congrats to you both!”
• “Lots of love and happiness to you both on this joyful day for our family.”
• Son/Daughter, I’m so happy to see you marry someone who brings you so much joy. Here’s to a beautiful marriage that grows through the years.”
• “Best wishes to my son/daughter and my new son-in-law/daughter-in-law on this wonderful occasion!”
• "We/I know we're/I'm not losing a son/daughter. We're/I'm gaining a son/daughter. Much happiness to you."
• "Son/daughter, I/we feel many emotions on this day. Most of all, I'm/we're happy you've found someone wonderful to share your life with. Best wishes to you both."
• “Seeing you go from a young girl/boy to the grown man/woman you are today is such a special sight to see. May you both be blessed in your future together, and know how much I love you!”
• “Watching you reach this milestone is a proud moment for a parent, and I’m filled with joy to know you’ve found love.”
• “It’s a privilege to watch you get married and to give you away to [spouse]. I have no doubt that your marriage will be an adventure, and don’t forget I’ll always be here to support you as your mother/father.”

Wedding Wishes for a Parent

Finding the right thing to say to a parent who’s getting married or remarried can be tough, so when in doubt, keep it simple! Any parent will likely be grateful for any type of message they receive from their child, whether you want to get deep and personal or keep it short and light.

Examples:

• “Welcome to the family. Love you both so much!”
• “I’m so thrilled that you have found each other. Congrats and best wishes!”
• “Mom/Dad, I’m so happy for the love that you have found. Congrats to you both, and welcome to the family [Name of Stepparent]!”
• “[Name of Stepparent], thank you for the joy you bring my Mom/Dad. Cheers to a bigger, better family!”
• “So excited to see our family grow today. Congratulations on your big day!”
• “Mom/Dad, thank you for all the advice you’ve given me over the years. Now here’s mine: [Fill in your own advice].”
• “I’m overjoyed to see you so happy. Lots of love.”
• “Mom/Dad, seeing how happy [Name of Stepparent] makes you is such a gift. So happy for you both.”

Wedding Wishes for a Friend

How you craft your wedding card message to a friend will depend on how close you are to them. The message might be short, sweet and classic, or you may choose to get specific and personal. Consider your relationship and how personal, sentimental, serious or funny you want to get with your wedding wishes.

Examples:

• “May you bring each other as much happiness and friendship as you’ve brought me. Congrats!”
• “Here’s to love, friendship, and double-dates! Best wishes for an awesome marriage.”
• “So thrilled to celebrate this day with two amazing friends! Happy wedding day, guys!”
• “Can’t wait to get down on the dance floor and celebrate with you. Congratulations on getting married!”
• “Thanks for inviting me to eat cake and drink champagne. You should get married all the time!”
• "Of all the big life events we've celebrated over the years, today tops the list. Congrats!"
• "We've had so many laughs together! May you always make each other laugh!"
• "Here's to love and friendship!"
• "Congratulations to a wonderful friend and his/her new husband/wife."
• “We’re so thrilled to celebrate this wonderful day with you both.”

Wedding Wishes for a Coworker

If you’re writing to congratulate a coworker on their marriage, it’s unlikely you’ll be including deeply heartfelt sentiments. Instead, it’s best to be more general with your wording. You might choose to use one of the more formal or casual examples above depending on your relationship, or opt for one of some of the work-inspired wedding quotes below.

Examples:

• “Thank you for inviting me to share this day with you. Best wishes!”
• “I’m so happy to have bonded with you at work. Congrats to you and your love!”
• “Cheers! I’m looking forward to seeing your new title on your email signature.”
• “Wishing you guys the very best and a happy honeymoon!”
• “Congrats on finding each other! Here’s to many happy years.”
• "Best wishes to a very cool coworker and his/her new husband/wife."
• "Wishing you success—and most of all happiness—in your marriage."
• "You've got a new title: husband/wife! Wishing you and your spouse the best."
• "What a wonderful day to celebrate my coworker and his/her spouse. All the best to you both in your marriage."
• What a wonderful day to celebrate my coworker. All of the best to both of you in marriage.

What to Write in a Wedding Card When You Can't Attend

Sometimes life gets in the way and you can’t make it to the wedding. This type of wedding card presents the perfect opportunity to express your apologies for not being able to attend and share warm wedding wishes to the couple.

Examples:

• “With you in spirit as you celebrate your love. Congratulations!”
• “So sad to miss your special day, sending all our love and best wishes to the happy couple!”
• “So sorry we can’t be there to celebrate your special day, but please know we are toasting you from afar!”
• “We are glad we have the rest of your lives to congratulate you on your new marriage. Best of wishes!”
• “Your wedding is important to us, don’t let our absence tell you otherwise! We would’ve loved to be a part of your special day and wish you all the best on your union.”
• “While we hate to have missed your special day, we’re celebrating from afar. Congratulations!”
• “Just because we missed your wedding doesn’t mean we aren’t still celebrating! We’re so thrilled for you two and wish you all the best.”
• “I’m sure the wedding was beautiful—we’re so sorry we missed it! We wish you all the best as you start your next chapter as newlyweds.”
• “Congratulations to the happy couple, I wish I could have been there to watch you say ‘I do’!”

You might feel guilty if you have to miss a friend’s wedding, but you can still share your love from afar and let them know you care with a thoughtful wedding gift. With all the wedding gifts they’ll probably be receiving, give yours a special touch with these printable gift tags with sweet messages.

Printable Wedding Gift Tags

Weddings are one of the most joyous occasions to take part in, and your wedding wishes are an opportunity to make the newlyweds feel special, loved and supported as they embark on their new life together. If you’re looking for the perfect wedding card to send, there are hundreds of beautiful and affordable designs to choose from that can add that special touch to your message.