80 Wedding Wishes for the Perfect Wedding Card Message

Even the most creative of us can be stumped by what to write in a wedding card, especially when you’re trying to find the perfect wedding wishes for that couple. They sent you a beautiful wedding invitation, and they’re planning a beautiful day, so a beautiful card with a heartfelt message inside is the least you can do.

Whether it’s sweet wedding card wishes for your best friend or some funny wedding card messages for a colleague, our guide to what to write in a wedding card UK and beyond can definitely help.

What to Write in a Wedding Card: 80 Wedding Wishes

Wondering what to write in a wedding card for a friend, or trying to come up with Islamic wedding messages for a religious couple? Skip to the section you need and nail your wedding card content.

• What to Write in a Wedding Card: Short & Simple Wedding Wishes
• What to Write in a Wedding Card: Funny Wedding Wishes
• What to Write in a Wedding Card: Formal Wedding Wishes
• What to Write in a Wedding Card for a Friend
• What to Write in a Wedding Card to a Best Friend
• What to Write in a Wedding Card to a Son or Daughter
• What to Write in a Wedding Card to a Sister or Brother
• What to Write in a Wedding Card to a Parent or Step Parent
• Wedding Wishes for a Colleague
• Christian Wedding Wishes
• Wishes for an Islamic Wedding
• What to Write in a Wedding Card: Expert Advice

What to Write in a Wedding Card: Short & Simple Wedding Wishes

If you want your wedding card, invitation RSVPs or just messages of happiness to the couple to be short, succinct and to the point, these snappy messages are perfect! Here are some super simple things to write in a wedding card to pretty much anyone who's getting married.

• Congratulations to a wonderful couple.
• Best wishes on your wedding day.
• We’re so happy to celebrate this day with you.
• Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness.
• Lots of love today and beyond.
• Here’s to a long and happy marriage.
• To a future full of love and adventure!
• Wishing you the happily-ever-after you both deserve.

What to Write in a Wedding Card: Funny Wedding Wishes

If you have funny bones running through your body, include these funny wedding wishes in the message in the card. 

• Thanks for all the free food and drink! Congratulations on throwing an excellent shindig.
• Well done on finding that one person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.
• I guess you won’t end up a crazy cat lady after all – well done!
• Marriage is a rollercoaster ride. May you have more ups than downs and more laughs than screams. Most importantly, may you both enjoy the best ride of your life every night.
• Here’s to not getting pregnant on the honeymoon!
• Only a couple as good as you could make me throw my famous robot dance moves. It’s an honour to be able to perform for such wonderful people tonight. Congrats!
• I would have got you a nicer card, but I was only invited to the evening do.
• Our best marriage advice: trust one another, forgive the other’s flaws, and stick with each other through thick and thin – divorce is too expensive!
• May your love story be more X-rated than PG, with just enough plot twists to keep things interesting, but not enough to see you clapped in handcuffs for the wrong reasons.
• Here’s to the Instagrammable wedding you deserve!
• I’m just here for the cake – and I guess to see two people tie the knot!
• I predict very cute babies.

What to Write in a Wedding Card: Formal Wedding Wishes 

Wedding card content is the message of congratulations and wishes for the future that you write in the wedding card. Formal wishes don’t have to be stuffy and without heart. Opt for something timeless and romantic.

• Your greatest journey is only just beginning and I wish you a lifetime of adventures together.
• I wish for you a life filled with happiness; I wish for you the strength to overcome any obstacles together; I wish for you a love that grows ever stronger each day.
• You have shared so much love and laughter over your years together, and I know there will be many more joyful moments to come. I wish you all the happiness that you deserve for your married life together.
• May the love you feel for each other today grow ever stronger and more fulfilling as the years go by.
• All love stories are special, but yours is one of the most beautiful I’ve had the fortune to witness. I wish you love, laughter and happiness for all your years ahead.
• May you look back on today with fond memories of the start of  your happy future together.
• As I enjoy the free bubbly on your wedding day, I’ll raise a toast to two of the nicest people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.
• The two of you shine with the love you share for each other. May that light get ever brighter as the years go by.

What to Write in a Wedding Card to a Friend

If you are close friends with the couple, why not personalise the content with in-jokes and use a warm, friendly tone in your message for a friend's wedding card. These phrases and ideas are perfect for anyone wondering what to write in a wedding card for friends.

• You met over drinks, bonded over your love of Masterchef and cheesy jokes, and fell in love completely, utterly and forever. It would be hard to find a couple more ideally suited to each other. (And let’s face it, who else would put up with Ellie’s snoring or Matt’s Arsenal obsession?) In all seriousness, I am so happy to be celebrating this day with you, and look forward to many more celebrations to come.
• Wishing you two soulmates a lifetime of Netflix bingeing and Friday night takeaways. Don’t mind me, I’ll be the one sobbing uncontrollably during the ceremony.
• Thank you for letting me share in your special day. The two of you are made for each other, and I couldn’t be happier to see my oldest friend Karen and my newest friend Ben tying the knot.
• May your days together be filled with joy, and your nights full of fun! Now let’s kick back with some prosecco and pretend this hasn’t been the most stressful day of your life.
• Guys, you did it! Now you can eat, drink and be merry!
• To love and friendship!
• Abi and Jon, I can’t wait to watch you turn into the cutest old married couple. Here’s to love and marriage getting better with every year – and that we all end up in the same nursing home!

What to Write in a Wedding Card to a Best Friend

Let’s face it, trying to decide what to write in a best friend's wedding card content can be a bit of a headache. How can you cram everything you want to say into such a small space? Our advice is to pick two or three highlights from your friendship to focus on, and make sure you don’t leave out the other half of the couple.

• Well, Lisa, what to say? From building dens and bunking off school, to braving Oceana nightclub together, we’ve had plenty of adventures over the years. Now you’re entering into the biggest adventure of your life so far, and I couldn’t be happier for you. You kissed more than your share of frogs to find her, but Belle is definitely a keeper. Belle, thank you for making my best friend so happy. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the two of you.
• To the best friend I've had forever, and the one I'm about to gain, I couldn't be happier for you both if I tried. Some best friends would say take care of her for me, but I know I don't have to worry about that when it comes to you two. 
• Of everything we’ve celebrated together over the years, this one tops the list. Let’s just hope it doesn’t end up with us in a police car like that trip to Ibiza…Here’s to as much laughter together as we’ve had!
• Mark, I’m still reeling with the shock of you landing someone as warm, funny and drop-dead gorgeous as Judith. Let’s face it, those practice runs in the uni bar were not your finest moments. Jude, I’d like to point out that when I met him, Mark was a Star Wars obsessed geek with a rather suspect taste in slogan T-shirts. Obviously I take full credit for turning him into the man who stands beside you today. In all seriousness, I am truly happy for you two. You’re clearly made for each other and I look forward to watching the two of you grow even closer over the years to come.

Want something pithier?

• Congratulations on your wedding day to two of my best friends! There better be an open bar or I retract my previous statement.
• Sam, I can’t believe you got married before me. We're over!

What to Write in a Wedding Card to a Son or Daughter

If it’s your son or daughter getting married, here are some suggestions for what to write in a wedding card to them.

• The biggest blessing in a parent's life is watching their family grow. We thought we were lucky when we had Joey, but having Max in our lives takes luck to a whole new level. 
• The saying goes that you don’t lose a son, you gain a daughter, and that’s certainly true for us. We can’t think of a better new daughter to welcome into our family. The two of you are so well suited. You have brought us so much happiness over the years, and we look forward to sharing even more joy over the years to come.
• Ash, you have brought so much joy into Ben’s life. We could not wish for a better person for him to spend his life with. Ben, you have made us proud since the day you were born, but never more so than today, as we witness the man you have grown into. We look forward to sharing in your life together over the years to come.
• Lily and Albert, you are clearly made for each other, and we couldn’t be happier. The bond you have is very strong, so you need little advice from us, but one wish we do have is that you let each other grow and give each other the freedom to follow your own dreams. May you always remain your own people, as well as partners, friends and companions on your journey through life together.
• I always promised when your time came, we’d throw the wedding of the year. And it better be as I can’t afford another! Danny, wishing you all the best as you take over from the Bank of Mum and Dad! May love, happiness, good fortune, health and wealth bless you both as you take these first steps as newlyweds.

What to Write in a Wedding Card to a Sibling

Is your big brother or baby sister tying the knot? Here are some sentimental wedding card wishes perfect for siblings.

• Congratulations sis, I'm so happy for you and Jess. Does this mean I can have your old room now you're officially married and grown up and stuff?
• I know you're married now, but can I please still be your plus one to all your fancy work events?
• It’s hard to believe that the little brother who followed me around for all those years is now all grown up and getting married. Emma, I hand all responsibility over to you for Jonah’s wellbeing. I’ve done my best to mould him into something resembling a decent human being, but I reckon you still have your work cut out when it comes to his dress sense… In all seriousness, Jonah I could not be more proud of the man you’ve turned into, and have loved watching the two of you fall in love. Emma, you’ve got yourself a good ‘un, and I know it’s well deserved. I’d wish you well for the future, but I can see that’s not necessary; the two of you are undeniably ‘right’ for each other. With love always, your big brother Matt.
• I don’t need to welcome you to the family, Harry, as you’ve been a member of our clan since the night you braved the Smith family Christmas. What I will do is congratulate you both on finding your soul mate, your partner in crime, your companion on life’s adventure. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness.
• You’re getting married. I’m getting drunk and snogging the best man. I always knew I was the more fun twin. But I guess congratulations are in order for no longer dying alone! Love you both.

What to Write in a Wedding Card to a Parent or Step Parent

It can be tough to know what to write when your parents marry. Whether they're marrying each other, or you're getting a new step parent, here are some ideas of wedding messages you can write.

• Not many children get to experience the joy of seeing their parents tie the knot, so I feel very lucky about being here today.
• Mum, I know dad is looking down and smiling to see you so happy. I couldn’t wish for a better man than Graham to stand by your side today. I am truly happy to see the love that you share, and I wish you a million more joyful moments to come.
• Celia, I am so happy that you are joining our family today, and cannot thank you enough for the happiness that you have brought to my father. May the two of you have many more days of joy and love together.
• To the best Mum/Dad a person could ever ask for, and your new husband/wife! So much love and happiness to you both.
• Mum/Dad, we’re so happy you’ve found a partner to share your life with. I can’t wait to get to know you better. Welcome to the family.
• The two of you are so clearly meant to be together, it was destined to be. While you may have met later on in life, that just means that you will treasure every moment together even more.
• You’ve given me the best advice over the years. Now you get to hear mine: [fill in with advice].

Wedding Messages for a Colleague

If someone in the office is getting married, you can get them your own wedding card or sign a shared one that’s passed around. These wedding wishes for a colleague can be personalised and tweaked depending on how close you are to the person.

• I couldn't be happier to see my work wife get themselves an actual wife - just don't forget about me, okay? 
• While I’ve never met Hannah, I can see your love for her every time you speak of her. I wish you a long and happy life together, and look forward to seeing the photos of your big day.
• Let’s hope you make Olivia tea more often than you do your colleagues! Have a wonderful wedding and enjoy escaping work on your honeymoon.
• What will we do on our tea break now we no longer have wedding dresses to critique and venues to discuss? I hope your big day goes just as you’ve dreamed and your life together is all that you want it to be.
• Thanks for inviting me to share this day with you and your family.
• You finally got your promotion: from fiancé/fiancée to husband/wife!

Christian Wedding Wishes

Are you attending a Christian wedding and looking for some religious wedding wishes for a couple to write in the card? These could work for Christian weddings, as well as weddings with religious connotations. 

• May your marriage be as strong as your faith.
• There are three things that matter most: faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love - 1 Corinthians 13:13.
• Wishing you a blessed marriage.
• May God bless your union and deepen your love through the years.
• Do everything in love- 1 Corinthians 16:14.
• Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
• Sending you love and prayers as you start this new life together.
• Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love - Ephesians 4:2.
• Wishing you all of God’s blessings and love’s joys.

Wishes for an Islamic Wedding

If you are attending a Muslim wedding and want to write something heartfelt and appropriate, these Is;amid wedding wishes are perfect! Some are more religious than others, and you can tweak any of these Islamic wishes for a wedding to suit the couple you're writing the card to. 

• Mubarak on your beautiful wedding day, may Allah bless you both today, and always.
• May Allah always bless and guide you both throughout your marriage, and may you keep his teachings close to your hearts always.
• Barak Allah Iakuma. I hope you both have a great wedding day full of enjoyment and precious moments.
• I pray that Allah blesses your marriage and keeps you united until the end of time. 
• Nikah Mubarak to you both. May Allah bless your marriage. 
• May Allah bless you, send blessings upon you and unite you both in life.
• O Allah, you are the loving (Al Wadud), and the merciful (Al Rehman). Please put love and mercy in the hearts of this couple for each other.

Top Tips for What To Write in a Wedding Card

Once you’ve read through this article and decided on what to write, then there’s a few tips for actually getting across what you want to say in the card (it sounds simple, but it’s not!).

So before you whip out your pen, here are useful tips of how to write wedding wishes:

• Be personal. They’ll cherish their wedding cards forever so make it special and remember to sign your name! It’s not a test of how well they know their friends’ handwriting
• If you’d like to write your own original wedding wishes, try writing down the top five words that come to mind when you think of the couple, e.g. funny, committed, adventurous. These can get your brain flowing around wishes that would suit them.
• Write your message out in rough first, so that you can tinker with it until it’s just right
• Read your message aloud before writing it in the card
• Spell check! If your spelling and grammar aren’t the best, ask someone to check it for you
• The card will likely be read by a lot of people, so ask yourself again if your message is appropriate and doesn’t contain anything that the couple wouldn’t want to share. This is not the place to joke about the groom’s antics on the stag do…
• Have you thought about the wedding theme? A nod to their theme is a great touch: a lyric from a rock ‘n’ roll hit could work well for a fifties theme, for example, or a Disney quote might be perfect for a fairy tale theme.
• The wedding wishes and messages you actually include will be dependent on a few different factors that you need to take into consideration. A couple of risqué jokes might be great for your best friend and their partner, but will your distant second cousin appreciate them? You should think about:
  • Your relationship to the couple
  • Their personalities and interests, e.g. would they love a poem, or hate a funny message?
  • Whether the wedding is formal or informal, as this may dictate the type of message they would like to read in their card
  • Whether they’re religious
  • Whether you’re attending the wedding

What to Write in a Wedding Card: Expert Advice

Now you've read through some examples, it's time to hear from the experts. To help you out with all your wedding card queries is Jo Bryant, a leading British etiquette consultant from The English Manner. Here's what she had to say about what to write in a wedding card.

"Wedding cards are a relatively new concept in the UK and are essentially a greeting card to congratulate and send good wishes to a couple. They can be sent by anyone, whether they are attending the wedding, are invited but are unable to attend, or are not even invited.

Cards from guests attending the wedding

"Take the wedding card to the wedding. Hang onto it until the reception where there should be a dedicated table/area for cards and presents. Inside, write something congratulatory and thank the couple for a great day. It’s thoughtful to include a personal link/joke.

"If money is being given as a gift, arrange this separately via ‘official’ channels set up by the couple rathe than leave an envelope of cash lying around the reception venue.

From guests unable to attend the wedding

"If you are unable to attend, send a wedding card to the couple in addition to, and separately from, your invitation reply. Cards can be sent either in advance of the day, or afterwards.

"For cards sent in advance, you can wish the couple luck and best wishes, and reiterate your disappointment at being unable to attend. For those sent after the day, include a heartfelt congratulations and good wishes.

From other people

"Wedding cards can be a nice gesture for people to acknowledge a wedding even if they are not attending. For example, for colleagues, teachers, hairdressers, neighbours etc.

"They may be sent as a group card, for example from a whole team or department. Alternatively they privately acknowledge a wedding when the sender is (rightly) not invited to the big day."

When Should You Send a Wedding Card?

We’re sure the couple will be happy to receive a lovely card anytime you want to send one! Traditionally, you either bring the card with you to the wedding reception, or you send it to the couple a few weeks before the wedding, after the invites have gone out. If you don’t have an invite to the wedding because there’s a small guest list, then a card is a wonderful way to wish the couple the best.

Do You Write Congratulations in a Wedding Card?

It was once considered rude to write 'congratulations' in a wedding card because it was thought of as congratulating a woman for landing a husband. None of that such nonsense now – not least because there may not be a husband involved! Nowadays, it’s totally fine to say or write congratulations as a way of celebrating the newlyweds’ union. If you want to err on the side of caution, use 'best wishes'.

How Much Do You Put in a Wedding Card?

The couple may ask for presents from a registry or a cash gift. If you’re giving a cash gift, you can find out how much to give as a wedding gift here, including what to give for an evening-only invite, if it's a destination wedding or a colleague.

A couple who are friends with the newlyweds would give around £100-£150. If you’re immediate family, expect to double this. If you’re a bridesmaid or groomsman, a £100 gift minimum is expected from you.

You can put cash or a cheque in the wedding card or a wedding money envelope if there’s somewhere secure for you to leave it at the reception venue. Otherwise, ask if they have a special fund set up and transfer the money with a note in your wedding card that that’s what you’ve done. Include a message like, “Here’s a little something to start your life together”.

Bought a gift from a registry? Write a card anyway and leave it on their card/gift table. It’s a nice thing to do.

What Are the Basic Things to Write in a Wedding Card?

You can address the card to both the bride and groom/bride and bride/groom and groom, or write separate messages for each person. However, ideally you should end with a joint message or wish for their life together.

The general format is: your congratulations or best wishes; your hopes for their future together; a message about how right they are for each other; and end with a thank you for allowing you to share in their big day.

Read on to find those perfect wedding wishes or click above to jump to exactly the words you need. If you’re looking for something short and sweet, make sure you check out our favourite quotes for wedding cards.

Now you’ve sorted out what to write in the wedding card for the happy couple, why not browse our wedding present guide for gift ideas for the newlyweds?