80 Beautiful Wedding Wishes To Write In A Wedding Card

Wedding etiquette in the South is nothing to be messed with. It starts the moment we say "Yes," and it ends well after we say "I do." And bet your britches we don't miss a beat, from wedding card wishes and RSVP etiquette to wedding showers and wedding toasts, lest those familiar with the Emily Post Institute take note.

To be fair, wedding etiquette isn't just one-sided. Sure, brides have their own overwhelming set of rules to follow, things like when to send thank you notes and how much to tip wedding vendors. But guests are also fraught with wedding worries.

When it comes to something even as simple as sending a wedding card (which, to be clear, is best sent before the wedding, much like gifts) even the content is taken quite seriously. For example, once it was taboo to say or write "Congratulations" to the bride. This is because it implied she was lucky to have found a husband at all. But it's perfectly fine to say it to the groom. Hmph. (But he is the lucky one, we joke.)

Though the "Congratulations Rule" is increasingly considered out-of-date, one thing will always ring true: In the South, typing out a quick "Congrats!" over text will never do; posting well wishes for a wedding on Facebook will never cut it. And that's just how we like it. There will always be a place for a handwritten note in the South, especially when someone's getting hitched.

Whether you're family, close friends, or distant acquaintances with the bride or groom, you should send a wedding card. If you're not sure what's appropriate, just know that it's largely at your discretion. But here are 80 ideas—formal, casual, and even Biblical—to get you started on what to write in a wedding card.

Formal Wedding Wishes

If you're heading to the wedding of a couple that you're not very close with, formal might fit the occasion. Simple and thoughtful, this type of message doesn't always feel as personalized as others—but it communicates your well wishes for the couple's future together. To help it read more intimately for someone you're close with, embellish with personal details.

• May the years ahead be filled with love and joy.
• May your love grow stronger each and every passing year.
• Thank you for letting us share in your special day. We wish you all the happiness in the world.
• Here's to a lifetime full of happiness and love.
• Wishing you well as you embark on this next chapter of life. Cheers!
• May today mark the first of the rest of your life, filled with love and fellowship.
• Here's to a long, happy life with the one you love. Wishing you the best.
• Wishing you happiness, love, and joy on your wedding day.
• Today is the beginning of your next chapter. Here's to you!
• It's a joy to celebrate your love.

Casual Wedding Wishes

When bringing a small gift to one of the pre-wedding events, such as the engagement party or bridal shower, a casual note will do, no matter the recipient. While saying "congratulations" was once seen as rude, it works perfectly fine for these occasions.

• Here's to a long and happy marriage!
• Wishing you all of the love and happiness!
• We're so happy for you!
• I'm seeing a fun-filled life in your future. Congratulations!
• So honored to spend this happy occasion with you and your family.
• Wishing you the best today and beyond.
• Start your next chapter in style—with this little something! (Attached to a gift.)
• May your love continue to grow with every kiss.
• Well wishes!
• Today is just the beginning of the fun! Looking forward to celebrating this season with you.
• Congratulations! (Pinky promise it's appropriate.)

Religious Wedding Wishes

If you know that the couple getting married is of the Christian faith, nothing suits more than a message inspired by the Bible. How meaningful to begin a marriage feeling blessed by those around you. For a faith-based couple and ceremony, this type of wedding note not only feels appropriate but highly personal, too.

• "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." –1 Corinthians 13:13
• "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
• "Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." –Ephesians 4:32
• "Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." –Mark 10:9
• "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." –1 Corinthians 13:4-5
• "I have found the one whom my soul loves." –Song of Soloman 3:4
• "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." –Romans 12:10
• "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." –Proverbs 3:3
• "Serve one another through love." –Galatians 5:13
• "Let all that you do be done in love." –1 Corinthians 16:14

Welcoming Family Wedding Wishes

Because you wouldn't necessarily say the same thing to your favorite future sister-in-law that you would to a friend you haven't seen in five years, right? In the South, family is everything. This type of message is the perfect way to begin writing a wedding card for a new family member—and is best followed by something personalized.

• Thank you for letting us share in the celebration. Welcome to the family!
• So blessed to have gained another sister/cousin/aunt.
• We're so happy that [name] found 'The One," and that it is you!
• Today we add another family member to the tree, and we couldn't be happier.
• Sending love and hugs always, from your new family in [place].
• Wishing you two all the happiness and love. Here's to you!
• We couldn't be happier to call you family. Thanks for allowing us to join in the Big Day.
• Our family has gained quite the amazing man/lady. Lucky us!
• Congratulations, and welcome to the family!
• You've felt like part of the family from the start. We're so glad it's now official!

Wedding Wishes for a Friend

If you're attending the wedding of a close friend, formal might not feel wholly genuine and something too casual may not strike the right personal chord. Be true to yourself and your relationship with your friend. This type of wedding message can be more personal–it may be a dear friend friend of yours, after all.

• Cheers to love, laughter, and happily ever after!
• To my best friend on your wedding day, know that your happiness is everything to me. The fact that you've found your someone means the world. Congratulations!
• May your marriage bring as much happiness to your life as our friendship has brought to mine.
• [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. Cheers to finding your forever.
• I can't think of anyone in the world more deserving of happiness than you, my friend. I can't wait to see what life has in store for the happy couple. Congrats!
• I hope the years ahead are filled with nothing but hugs and kisses, my friend, because no one deserves happily ever after more than you!
  

Wedding Wishes for a Son or Daughter

A child getting married is a truly momentous occasion. Only you have known your son or daughter since the beginning, and only this new life partner may get to know them fully for the rest of their lifetime. Mark the occasion with a speaking wedding note from the heart on your son or daughter's wedding day.

• You will always be my baby, but I'm so proud to watch you grow into a new chapter of life. Cheers to the man/woman you've become and the new family you're creating.
• I've overwhelmed with happiness to watch someone cherish you as much as I do. I'm so glad you've found your person, and I can't wait for all that life has in store for you as you enter this new phase of life. I love you!
  
• I've dreamt of this day longer than you'll ever know: Not all of the pomp and circumstance, though that's turned out to be beyond my wildest dreams, but your happiness. That you've found your true love brings me more joy than anything else in the world.
• I'm always proud to be your mom/dad, but today my pride knows no bounds.
• I've known from day one that you were special, and it fills me with such joy to see another person recognize how amazing you truly are. Cheers to your big day and the many years of happiness ahead of you!

Meaningful Wedding Wishes

You can never go wrong with a meaningful note when it comes to a wedding. This time is filled with emotion and hope, and a thoughtful wedding card is just the ticket for the occasion.

• May the love you share today only grow stronger and stronger over the years.
• I know the many years ahead of you will be filled with endless joy.
• Everlasting love is a gift, but not one that you unwrap just once. It's a gift that evolves over time and never ceases to amaze.
• Your love is so bright that it radiates into the lives of those of us who are lucky enough to know you.
• No mountain is too high to climb when you climb it together.
• Though your wedding day will come and go, I hope the love you two share will forever growth with the years.
• May your marriage be filled with trust, respect, and love, but above all else, may it be filled with abundant joy.
• It's a true blessing to know that, for the rest of your life, there's someone in your corner. Through the highs and lows of life, I'm so glad you two have each other.
• May the two of you continue to love unconditionally and build a joyous life together.

Funny Wedding Wishes

Rehearsal dinner speeches and wedding toasts aren't the only time you can crack a joke at a wedding. Weddings are filled with big feelings and actions: joy, anticipation, commitment, and more. Lighten the mood with a short, funny wedding message in your card. It's sure to make the couple smile.

• It's time for you to eat, drink, and finally be married!
• It's all fun and games until you have to build a piece of furniture together.
• You only get to annoy one person for the rest of your life! Congrats!
• Signed, sealed, and delivered... and no returns!
  
• If you discover the secret to a happy marriage, please let me know!
• Congratulations on convincing yourself to settle down!
• The secret of a happy marriage? It remains a secret to all! Wishing you all the very best in your married life.
• Love is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourselves, enjoy the journey and don't be surprised if you get lost a bit along the way. I suppose that's what GPS is for!
• Get ready: “Yes, dear” are about to be your new magic words. Congrats!

Wedding Wishes for a Coworker

It's always enjoyable to watch your work family start a family journey outside of the office, and these wedding wishes for a coworker will help you find the right words to mark the occasion. Whether it's your boss, work friend, or teammate getting hitched, these messages of congratulations are sure to make your colleague feel celebrated.

• I hope your journey together is full of joy. Enjoy this special time!
• Best wishes to you both on this special day, and enjoy your time away from email!
• Cheers to you from the team! Here's to a lifetime of happiness!
• If there's one thing that's the same about work and marriage, it's that teamwork makes the dream work. Congratulations!
• Congratulations on your merger! You are officially about to upgrade from 'I' to 'we,' and we couldn't be happier for you.
• To the newlyweds, with love and best wishes from the whole team.
• I hope the joy that you feel on your big day lasts your whole marriage, through the ups and downs.
• May your marriage ahead be filled with everlasting joy.
• We hope you are happier than you ever imagined you could be. Enjoy your time away from the office, and soak up this special season.
• Wishing you both a lifetime of love and adventure. Warmest congratulations to the newlyweds.