Summary:
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It’s not always easy to wish someone well. Its especially difficult to find the right words if its someone’s wedding. You don’t know if you’ll say something wrong and sometimes, you might find yourself in a bit of a situation.
So whether you’re able to attend, unable to attend or haven’t been to a wedding; we’ve got your back!
Here is a quick rundown of what to do with your wedding card and how to write your wedding wishes. This quick read will have the couple loving you as much as their marriage! This does especially good when accompanied with a gift.
To check out top 20 gift ideas to get for the new couple look no further than here: https://www.musicaltouch.sg/post/top-20-wedding-gift-ideas
1) The Do’s and Dont’s of Personal Wedding Wishes
Image from: SingaporeBrides.com
One item we’d quickly like to get out of the way; is it okay to wish the couple "Congratulations?"
Of course! But it wasn’t always like that. It was once a faux pas because it was construed as congratulating the bride on landing a man! Attitudes have since changed and that is an outdated school of thought.
However, if you know the couple is slightly touchy about it, best stick to something else!
a) What should you do?
Since the wedding is about the couple, always address it to the couple as a pair. Do not just address it to the person you’re closest to. This is to ensure that you’re not making one feel left out while the other gets all the inside jokes.
Plan what you’ll say or write to them in advance. Using the right words for this special day is hard, you don’t want it to ruin anything. So, plan out what you want to say on another piece of paper. It can be a touching anecdote or something simple.
Be yourself (because everyone else is taken). Your friends know who you are and pretending to wax poetic won’t help. Be authentic and write from the heart. Keeping it simple also helps when finding the right words to say.
b) What shouldn’t you do?
Spelling errors are the worst. Always perform a quick spellcheck on the message; especially for their names. This is the first thing the couple will notice when reading the wedding card. Getting it wrong could leave a bad taste in their mouths.
Do not write a novel. Weddings are as much their happiest day as it is a logistical challenge. This applies to before and after the wedding. As much as possible, keep your message a minimum of 4 lines to 6 lines long if you’re writing on a card.
Do not leave it until the 11th hour, they can tell. The couple could have a keen nose on what thoughtfulness looks like from you. Bad handwriting on a store bought card could be like rotting fish on a hot day!
2) When Should You Give Wedding Wishes?
Image from: SingaporeBrides.com
Wedding cards are traditionally given at the wedding reception. They may have a receptacle that is often called a wishing well; just drop it in. However, if you’re unable to attend, you’ll want to mail your card to the couple.
Depending on your relationship with the couple, a congratulatory call could also be in order.
If you’re also giving your well wishes in person, do wait until the various ceremonies have concluded. Typically, while food is being served, the bride and groom will be making their rounds. It is an opportune time to have a quick aside with them for no more than a minute.
a) Formal Wedding Wishes
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The rule of cool applies here! You may not know these newlyweds very well so keep these lines keep it simple and thoughtful. They may not be as personalized as others but it gets the job done. If you’re close to them though, spice it up with something the couple are in on.
Here are some suggestions:
"May the years ahead be filled with love and happiness."
"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 happiness."
"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!"
b) Casual Wedding Wishes
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If you're attending the wedding of someone close to you, formal could come across stuffy. If that’s not who you are, then don’t be that. Relish in the closeness that you have with the couple. Take this opportunity to be relaxed and wish them well!
More casual wedding message can afford to be more personal. To maximise the smile factor, go hard on fun memories of the couple that you're privy to! These are the cards that they’ll read and reread.
But as a start, here are some suggestions:
"Here's to a long marriage filled with happiness!"
"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.)
"Well wishes!"
"Congratulations! (Don't be scared).”
3) Wedding Wishes by Religion
Different customs and religions may have certain practices you should be aware of! This will help you write something specific and more meaningful for the new couple. This is a sure fire way to up the ante on your wedding wishes to make the two of them happy.
As such, here is that breakdown!
a) Christian Wedding Wishes
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If you know that the newlyweds are catholic or protestant, Bible verses seem wholly (holy) appropriate. Especially if their relationship was build within the church, this could mean a lot to them. So here are a few verses you could use to tag on to your well wishes.
As such, here are a few bible verses you can write into your wedding message:
"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
b) Hindu wedding wishes:
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If you have any friends actively practicing Hinduism, you’ll no doubt have been invited to their wedding. Fortunately, you don’t need to tie your well wishes to their customs or their practices. But here are a few tidbits in case you feel like doing so!
The couple wed under a structure called a Mandap. It is essentially an altar. It is normally on an elevated surface and is gorgeously decorated with flowers. In its center is a fire that acts as a witness to the ceremony. With which they give rice as offerings known as Homam.
With that, here are some well wishes you can write those tidbits in to:
“May you be blessed with an abundance of resources and comforts and be helpful to one another in all ways.”
“May you be strong and complement one another through life.”
“May you be forever blessed with prosperity and riches on all levels.”
“May you both be eternally happy.”
“May you all be blessed with happy family life.”
“May you live in perfect harmony together, true to your personal values, promises and commitment to each other.”
c) Jewish wedding wishes:
Image from: hitched.co.uk
Jewish weddings do require the couple to do a fair bit of preparation before the big day! But since your involvement is only on the big day, here are some information bites that’ll help you along!
There is an important Jewish wedding tradition called the Chuppah. It is a wedding canopy that consists of a cloth supported by four poles. The Chuppah represents the creation of a Jewish home and a show of hospitality to the assembled guests.
Some traditional Jewish wedding quotes to write may include:
“Mazel Tov! May the joy that is yours today always fill your life.”
“May you be blessed, always.”
“May this special day you share together be filled with love and laughter. May all of the days ahead be lived happily ever after. Mazel Tov!”
“Mazel Tov on your wedding day! May today be the first day of -filled marriage!”
d) Islamic wedding wishes:
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Nikah, a muslim marriage ceremony, is typically a short affair. So, to aid your well wishes, here is some context on what to expect.
Mehr is the groom’s presentation of gifts, money or other meaningful offering to the bride. Then, the couple consent to the marriage when asked by the Imam (religious officiant). Following is the signing of the Nikah-Namah; the Muslim marriage contract.
After which, verses from the Koran are read during a short sermon and the couple is officially wed. The last part of the ceremony is called the Savaqah. Toward the end of the ceremony, the bride is showered with coins in celebration.
There are many traditional Islamic wedding wishes you could use to write as a meaningful congratulations message:
“May the journey you two are starting today never end. May your love for each other always remain strong and loving.”
“Nikah Mubarak my friends! As you start your new life together you are beginning a new phase with one another. Stay honest always and Allah will help you with every step.”
“Alhumdulillah! As you unite together in marriage I/ we wish you years of happiness, love, faith and joy. May Allah bless you! Congratulations.”
“Allah created a soul at first and then he divided it in two. He has joined these two souls together again in marriage! You complete each other, congratulations!”
“May Allah strengthen the bond that keeps your hearts together and blesses two souls with faith and love for each other. Happy wedding day!
4) Wedding Wishes Welcoming a New Family Member
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There are different wedding messages for different people. Some of whom you’d wish happiness. Some of whom you’d tell them to keep calm and stay married. For two different crowds there are two different messages.
To ensure that your message to them is worth as much as a gift, write to them like they’re a new family member. Make this day about their entry to your family and their spouses life!
When you write this message to them, here are a few things you could try:
"So blessed to have gained another sister/cousin/aunt."
"Thank you for letting us share in the celebration. Welcome to the family!"
"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!"
5) Writing Wedding Wishes When You Can't Make It
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We all understand that destination weddings can be tough. Especially when you can’t make it. So, if they intend to balm out in Bali, here are a few wedding messages you can write. Its important that you make your presence felt through a little gift or message.
We’ve broken it down by the type of couple that they are. Often times, you may find yourself having to strike a balance. So here are some casual and formal ways of telling the two of them that you cant make it.
a) More casual
“Congratulations on your big day! Wish we could be there to see it.”
“So sorry I couldn’t be there to celebrate with you. But even though I’ll miss the dress, the bouquet and the first dance, I would never miss the chance to wish you all the very best in life as you begin this amazing journey together!”
“I wish I could be at your wedding to give you both a hug and tell you how happy I am for you.”
b) More formal
“With you in spirit as you join hands and hearts and lives for always.”
“As you lift your glasses to each other tonight, I lift mine to you both from afar. Here’s to a truly amazing couple and to a marriage filled with every happiness.”
“Thinking of you both with love on your wedding day.”
“Our warmest thoughts and wishes are with you as you celebrate your marriage.”
6) Warm Closings for your Wedding Wishes
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A warm closing is like the cherry on top! It’s a sweet ending that ties the bow on wishing them happiness. To be honest, these aren’t complicated. These are just in case you get stuck on how to end your message:
Warmly,
Love,
With love,
Lots of love,
Love always,
Much love to you both,
Best wishes!
Best wishes for your life together,
All life’s best to the two of you,
Congratulations!
Congratulations and best wishes,
Warmest congratulations,
Gratefully,
Blessings,
God bless,
God bless you both,
God bless you now and always
7) Wedding Card Template for your Wedding Wishes
Image from: Bouquetcatch.com
So, we’ve taught you all the basics. Now it’s time to put it all together. You can use your own but these are our suggestions!
Just like addressing someone, wedding card messages should be warm, genuine, and personal. Here is a little outline of how you could structure your message. This is in keeping with the above sections.
“Congratulate the couple
Offer your best wishes for their marriage
1-2 lines of a personal message, anecdote, joke or marriage advice (if that suits your relationship to the couple)
A note of thanks and appreciation for their invitation
A loving sign off”
8) The TL;DR on Wedding Wishes
While we’ve given you many ways to wish the new couple a happy marriage, there’s a secret ingredient. It needs to be personal. Unfortunately, that’s not something we can teach you.
Your message needs to have a personal anecdote. It could be a happy moment you shared, what about their love inspires you or your genuine feelings about them. That will make the big difference between a card they’ll toss and one they’ll keep on a pedestal.
Wishing them all the best or congratulations is just the surface. Dig deep to write a card that will make the couple well up or feel it in their chests.
That’s possibly the best tip we could give you!
Lastly, engage your ideal Wedding Live Band for your wedding to make it memorable for you and your guests!