The big day is finally here. You are ready to go, makeup on, dress ready, there’s just one last thing to take care of … writing something meaningful in that wedding card that’s been sitting on your kitchen bench and taunting you with its blankness for the last three days.
Hopefully, if you’ve been invited to the wedding of someone close, you already have some personal touches that you can add. But what if you’ve been invited to the wedding of someone you don’t know too well (or even two someones you don’t know very well) or you’re just not good with words? Whatever the reason, if you’re wondering what to write on a wedding card, we’ve got a simple formula that will make the process simple and allow your gratefulness to shine through.
Address the card to both of them
This one seems so obvious, but it is often overlooked when you’re closer to one side of the wedding party. If you’re struggling for names because you don’t know either party very well, an excellent hint is to go with whatever they wrote on the invitation. If you’re feeling a little more formal, you can address the card to “the New Mr & Mrs. Doe,” but in this modern age, the tradition of the woman taking the man’s surname after the wedding isn’t necessarily guaranteed.
Be Positive
Another obvious point, but a really simple one to nail, is to say nice things, and say them using nice words like “cherish” or “hope.” The wedding card is not the place to tell your friend Dora that she will regret her choices in years to come.
Mention the day
By mentioning the wedding day, you can capitalize on all the positive memories and feelings that come with it. This could be as simple as writing “today” or “on your wedding.” You may wish to add a thank you for the opportunity to celebrate with them.
Talk about the future
You want to give the happy couple well wishes, so bring up the future that you would wish for them. It doesn’t need to be in any detail; in fact, the vaguer, the better if you don’t really know the couple. Wishing a brood of healthy young babies onto a couple that don’t want (or maybe even can’t) have them could be embarrassing for both the couple and yourself.
Putting it all together
So. using the elements above, hopefully, you’ve got some ideas of what to write on a wedding card. To help you out further, here are some examples so you can see the magic in action:
To Dan and Jenny, Congratulations on your wedding. Wishing you a future filled with many blessings.
To the New Mr. and Mrs. Cake, may today be the first of many bright and cheerful days. Hoping you will enjoy a long life together.
Dear Ella and Stuart Ring, I hope you will cherish the memories you made today for the rest of your lives. May your future be full of many good things.
To Stacey and Jude. Thank you for letting me be a part of your special day. May the dreams you have together be realized and your love always strong.