All set for the wedding of the year, but then...ah, yes, the age-old dilemma...what can I write in the wedding card? We hear you. We've got you. Here are some of our favourite non-cheesy, cliché-free wedding message ideas for you to borrow, pinch, pilfer and adapt to your heart's content.
And, if you're still hunting for the perfect wedding card, take a little look here to see our range of unique wedding cards, all made in the UK.
We can even print your chosen message inside the wedding card for you, ideal if your handwriting sucks or you just can't be bothered. See, told you we've got your back!
Here are our top tips for writing a message in a wedding card:
Structuring your wedding card message
1- Start with a greeting, for example- "To the brand new Mr and Mrs (insert surname)"
2- Congratulate them on their wedding day. Jazz up your wedding card message with a nice quote, funny saying or top tips for a happy marriage. See below for some rather excellent examples. You could also share a favourite (relevant) memory or story about the happy couple. E.g. "The first time I knew that you were the real deal was when you both turned up in fancy dress to that non-fancy dress party." or "We knew it was meant to be because you are the only people we know that both love Morris dancing and Christmas jumpers equally." (or other obscure hobbies that they share)
3- Thank them for inviting you to share their wedding day, if you were invited. If you couldn't make it but were invited to their wedding, send your apologies for not being there to share their special day. If you were not invited, best to leave this bit out so there's no awkwardness.
4- Wish them well for their married life together. E.g. "Sending all the love and well wishes for a happy life together." or "Here's to a lifetime of joy and love."
5- Sign off with your name/s
6- Add a tuck-in gift, photo or playlist to level up your wedding card even further. See this blog post for ideas of what to add to a wedding card to turn it into a wedding gift.
And our number 1 top tip for what to say in a wedding card?
Write your wedding message on a piece of scrap paper first. Plan it out before you start writing. Or get your friendly local laser cut wedding card makers to print a message inside your card for free. That works too.
Dos and Don'ts for writing in a wedding card
Do send a card that is so beautiful that it could double up as a wedding gift and end up in a frame.
Don't mention ex partners, past relationship struggles or breakups.
Do feel free to pop cash inside a card. Cash is always appreciated if you're struggling for a wedding gift idea.
Don't mention what happened on the stag or hen do. Never, ever talk about what happened on the stag or hen do. Just don't go there.
Do tell them how happy you are for them.
Don't joke about their impending divorce. Or about how many marriages end in divorce. Perhaps just don't mention the "D-word" at all, just to be safe.
Do tell them that you think they are a lovely couple. (Even if you think he's punching)
Don't tell them how surprised you are or how long it took them to get married, unless it's a joke that you know they'll appreciate, of course.
Don't mention pregnancies or babies unless they are already a thing for the couple. Never assume they will want to, or will be able to have children.
Don't get the wrong name on the card. Make sure you 100% have the bride and groom's names correct otherwise that would be awkward! If in doubt, check.
Beautiful Wedding Quotes
"The best thing to hold onto in life is each other." Audrey Hepburn
“Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.” —Aristotle
“Seize the moments of happiness, love and be loved! That is the only reality in the world, all else is folly. It is the one thing we are interested in here.” —Leo Tolstoy
“Unless you love someone, nothing else makes sense.” —E.E. Cummings
Heartfelt Wedding Messages
Today our family gains a new member and we are over the moon to welcome you.
I hope that your life together is filled with love and unending joy
We are so thrilled to celebrate your special day with you. Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness.
Congratulations to you both. May the joy you feel today last a lifetime.
Congratulations on the beginning of your fairy tale.
And so the adventure begins...
Funny Messages for Wedding Cards
You guys are so cute it makes me want to throw up a little bit. Congratulations to our favourite people.
Finally.
Advice for a happy marriage- listen completely, laugh often, love with all your heart, and leave the toilet seat down always.
“We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” ―
Congratulations on finding that special someone you get to annoy for the rest of your life.
I hope you get so many great wedding gifts that you don’t realize none are from me.
Marriage hacks from a happy couple- Don't go to bed angry, stay up and fight. If you're wrong, admit it, if you're right, shut up. And most important of all, never, ever share a tube of toothpaste.
Thanks for the free booze!
Wedding Messages for Friends
Of all the big life events we've shared, this one is the best yet. I'm so happy for you.
I can't think of anyone in the world more deserving of happiness than you, (Name). I can't wait to see what life has in store for you.
May your love story continue to be written with happiness, understanding and abundance.
[Name] makes you shine brighter than you ever have before, and it's for that reason, and that reason alone, that I'm willing to share you.
May your wedding day be the beginning of a lifetime filled with laughter, happiness, and cherished memories.
To my bestie, thank you for not making me wear an ugly dress, you truly are the best friend a girl could ask for. As such, I wish you and (Name) a happy wedding day and wonderful married life together, even if I am the tiniest bit jealous of how happy you are!
Wedding Messages from a Parent
You will always be my baby, but I'm so proud to watch you grow into a new chapter of life. It brings me overwhelming joy to see you so happy, and I wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness.
It feels like yesterday that I held you in my arms for the first time, and now you're about to marry the love of your life! Time flies when you're having fun, so cherish every second of this special day and every day from now. You two are perfect for each other, congratulations.
All we ever wanted for you was happiness and love, and you have found that in (Name). We are so proud of you and can't wait to see what this next chapter brings.
Congratulations to the both of you. We are overjoyed to see you so happy, and are thrilled to welcome (Name) into our family with open arms.
You have filled our lives with so much happiness, love and pride since the day you we born, and we couldn't be prouder or happier than we are today. Wishing you a marriage filled with magic, joy, kindness and love.
Wedding Messages for a Grandchild
I/we are so honoured to be a part of your special day. It has been a privilege to witness you blossom into the amazing adult that you are today. You make me/us proud to be your grandparent/s every single day.
Congratulations to my/our grandson/daughter and your new husband/wife on your wedding day! We have loved watching you grow up, and today we are so thrilled to welcome (name) into our family.
Watching you walk down the aisle is one of the best things I will experience as your grandparent. Thank you and congratulations.
There is such magic and joy in weddings, even more so when the bride/groom is your granddaughter/ grandson. What an honour to be able to share your special day. Wishing you both a lifetime filled with happiness.
When we first met you in the hospital, you were the most beautiful thing we'd ever seen. We've watched you grow and bloom as a child, (we won't talk about the awkward teenage years!) and now you are a confident, happy, kind adult with a perfect partner in (Name). You make us so proud to be your grandparents. Congratulations on your wedding day, wishing you both a happy marriage filled with joy and love.
Bible Verses for Wedding Cards
"Do everything in love." 1 Corinthians 16:14
“Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” —Corinthians 16:13
"So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." Matthew 19:6
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:2-3
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Wedding Messages for When You Cannot Be There
As you walk down the aisle, know that I'm cheering you on from a distance. May your wedding day be a magical celebration filled with joy, laughter and precious memories.
Even though I'm unable to attend your wedding, please know that I'm sending you all my love and best wishes.
Even though I can't physically be there, I'm raising a toast to your love and happiness from afar. Wishing you a beautiful wedding day and happy marriage.
Though the miles may separate us, my thoughts and blessings are always with you. May your wedding day be everything you've ever dreamed of and more.
So there you have it, our favourite message ideas to go in wedding cards, how to structure and write a wedding message and our top tips for making it the best darn wedding card they'll receive. And they'll never know you had a little help from your secret weapon (us). We won't tell, we promise.