Finding the right words for wedding wishes can be tricky. Do you go formal and elegant? Do you crack a joke? Do you keep it simple with a "Best wishes!" and call it a day? And then there’s poetry—do you quote Shakespeare or try your hand at a personalized rhyme? Either can work beautifully.

If you’re feeling stuck, don’t worry. This guide will help you craft the perfect wedding wish, whether you’re writing a card, giving a toast, or just sending a sweet text. We’ll also dive into wedding poetry—because sometimes, the best way to express love is through a well-crafted verse.

MORE INSPIRATION: Celebrate Love with Wedding Wishes and Poetry

How to Write the Perfect Wedding Wish

A wedding wish is more than just words—it’s a small but meaningful gift of love and support for the couple. But the tricky part? Finding the right balance between heartfelt and not overly sentimental, thoughtful but not cliché.

Here’s how to get it right:

Consider Your Relationship with the Couple

Your tone should reflect how well you know them. Are you a lifelong best friend, a proud parent, a coworker, or just a distant cousin who’s here for the cake? That makes all the difference!

• For close friends & family: Make it personal. Reference an inside joke, a shared memory, or a heartfelt wish for their future together.
• For colleagues or acquaintances: Keep it warm and polite. Something classic like “Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness” works perfectly.
• For someone you barely know: Keep it simple but kind—no need to overthink it.

Match the Couple’s Personality

Are they the romantic, sentimental type? Or do they love humor and lightheartedness? Tailor your message accordingly.

• Classic romantics: “May your love story be as timeless and beautiful as today.”
• Goofy and fun-loving: “Congrats! You found someone who will put up with your weirdness forever.”
• Sentimental but casual: “Wishing you both a lifetime of cozy Sundays, inside jokes, and endless adventures.”

Keep It Short & Sweet (Unless You’re Giving a Speech)

Wedding cards don’t need a novel. A couple of heartfelt lines are enough. If you’re giving a toast, a little storytelling adds charm, but don’t turn it into a TED Talk.

Examples of Wedding Wishes

Formal Wedding Wishes (For Colleagues or Distant Relatives)

• "Wishing you a lifetime of love, happiness, and shared dreams. May this be the beginning of a wonderful journey together."
• "May your marriage be filled with joy, laughter, and everlasting love. Congratulations on this beautiful new chapter in your lives!"
• "Sending my heartfelt congratulations to you both! Wishing you all the happiness in the world as you start this exciting journey together."

Casual & Friendly Wedding Wishes (For Friends & Close Family)

• "Cheers to a lifetime of love, laughter, and ordering way too much takeout together!"
• "So incredibly happy for you both! May your love grow stronger with each day."
• "Wishing you a life full of adventure, happiness, and way too many inside jokes. Congrats!"

Funny Wedding Wishes (For Couples Who Love Humor)

• "Marriage is basically agreeing to share your fries forever. Hope you're ready for that commitment!"
• "Congrats! You found the one person you can annoy for eternity and still be loved unconditionally."
• "Marriage: the only time where ‘What do you want for dinner?’ is a lifelong debate!"

Wedding Poetry: A Touch of Elegance & Emotion

Sometimes, a simple “Best wishes” doesn’t cut it. Poetry has this beautiful way of capturing emotions in ways plain words often can’t. Whether you’re writing a wedding card, giving a toast, or looking for the perfect Instagram caption (hey, no judgment), here are some poetic inspirations.

For inspiration:

"Love Sonnet XVII", Pablo Neruda

I don’t love you as if you were a rose of salt, topaz,
or arrow of carnations that propagate fire:
I love you as one loves certain obscure things,
secretly, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that doesn’t bloom but carries
the light of those flowers, hidden, within itself,
and thanks to your love, the tight aroma that arose
from the earth lives dimly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where,
I love you simply, without problems or pride:
I love you in this way because I don’t know any other way of loving
but this, in which there is no I or you,
so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand,
so intimate that when I fall asleep it is your eyes that close.

“Invitation to Love”, Paul Laurence Dunbar

Come when the nights are bright with stars
Or come when the moon is mellow;
Come when the sun his golden bars
Drops on the hay-field yellow.
Come in the twilight soft and gray,
Come in the night or come in the day,
Come, O love, whene’er you may,
And you are welcome, welcome.

You are sweet, O Love, dear Love,
You are soft as the nesting dove.
Come to my heart and bring it to rest
As the bird flies home to its welcome nest.

Come when my heart is full of grief
Or when my heart is merry;
Come with the falling of the leaf
Or with the redd’ning cherry.
Come when the year’s first blossom blows,
Come when the summer gleams and glows,
Come with the winter’s drifting snows,
And you are welcome, welcome.

“i love you to the moon &”, Chen Chen

not back, let’s not come back, let’s go by the speed of
queer zest & stay up
there & get ourselves a little
moon cottage (so pretty), then start a moon garden

with lots of moon veggies (so healthy), i mean
i was already moonlighting
as an online moonologist
most weekends, so this is the immensely

logical next step, are you
packing your bags yet, don’t forget your
sailor moon jean jacket, let’s wear
our sailor moon jean jackets while twirling in that lighter,

queerer moon gravity, let’s love each other
(so good) on the moon, let’s love
the moon
on the moon

Classic Love Poems for Weddings

If you want something timeless, you can’t go wrong with these:

• Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116
  Let me not to the marriage of true minds
  Admit impediments. Love is not love
  Which alters when it alteration finds...
• "How Do I Love Thee?" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
  I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
  My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight...

Short & Sweet Wedding Poems

• Two souls, one heart, forever entwined,
  A love so rare, beautifully designed.
• May laughter be your melody,
  And love your sweetest song.

Personalized Wedding Poetry (Write Your Own!)

Want to impress the couple? Write your own short poem! Here’s a simple example:

"Through laughter and tears, through highs and through lows,
A love like yours forever grows.
Hand in hand, you start anew,
A beautiful life—just us two."

Creative Ways to Present Your Wedding Wishes

A heartfelt wish doesn’t have to live in a card. Get creative!

• Frame It: Write your message on elegant stationery and frame it as a keepsake.
• Toast It: If you’re giving a speech, a short poetic wish can add charm.
• Engrave It: Put a meaningful phrase on a custom wedding gift.
• Record It: A video message with friends and family sharing wishes is a great surprise.

At the end of the day, the perfect wedding wish comes from the heart. Whether it’s a simple “Congratulations!” or a beautifully crafted poem, what matters most is the love behind it. Weddings aren’t just about dresses, cake, and dance floors (although, let’s be honest, those are great). They’re about celebrating love, friendship, and new beginnings.

So next time you’re at a wedding, don’t stress over what to write or say. Just speak from the heart, add a little personality, and make it memorable. Because years from now, the couple won’t remember the exact words—but they’ll remember the warmth behind them.

Author: BRIDELIFESTYLE