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26-07-2025

How to congratulate a wedding: the best ideas to mark the occasion in style

6 min read

Marriage, this great leap into adventure for two, obviously deserves a round of applause. Yes, but here's the thing: how do you find the right words to congratulate the bride and groom without falling into the banal "Congratulations and much happiness!"? Do you want to be original without being bizarre, sincere without being over the top, funny without being heavy-handed? You've come to the right place.

Congratulating on a wedding is an art form... but we promise, we're not going to ask you to paint. We're just going to guide you to find THE right formula , depending on your style, your relationship with the bride and groom, and the situation.

Why a simple "congratulations" is no longer enough

how-to-congratulate-on-a-wedding-the-best-ideas-to-mark-the-occasion-in-style

Let's not lie to ourselves: 'Congratulations!' is a bit lacking in spice. Yes, it's okay, but will we remember it in 10 years? Probably not. Today, with social media, instant text messages, designer announcements, thank you notes in the form of reels... and even congratulations that rival the wedding dress , we have entered the era of creative congratulations.

The bride and groom have spent months planning this day, choosing the playlist, braving the weather, and surviving debates over napkin color. They deserve better than a message straight out of a fortune cookie.

Mark the occasion with a personalized message

If you're close to the bride and groom, you probably have shared memories, inside jokes, or moments that deserve to be mentioned in your message. A tailor-made message is like a well-measured glass of champagne: it always has its effect.

Dare to be humorous, but with tact

Humor is great. But when used in the wrong way, it can quickly turn awkward. Congratulating a friend in an offbeat way? Great. Joking about your boss's wedding? Not sure it's a good idea. It's all a question of context. We'll come back to that later.

Different ways to congratulate a wedding

how-to-congratulate-on-a-wedding-the-best-ideas-to-mark-the-occasion-in-style

Because you don't write the same message on a card, in a text message or during a speech, just as you wouldn't choose a country wedding dress for an urban wedding, here's a quick overview of ways to express your congratulations, in style.

The written message: card, letter, little note that hits the mark

The famous card slipped into an envelope (or into the wedding urn) remains an unbeatable classic . And for good reason: it can be kept, reread, and collected. Your message can be:

  • Funny: "Congratulations! You've just signed up for a life of sharing, love... and negotiations over living room temperature!"

  • Poetic: "May your union be a dance, a journey, a daily fireworks display."

  • Sincere and simple: "So happy for you both. Your happiness is a pleasure to see!"

The oral message: when you have the floor, make it vibrate

If you're one of those who likes to take the microphone, you can offer a short speech or a toast during the meal. The challenge here is to keep attention without ruining the atmosphere .

Some tips:

  • Don't exceed 3 minutes (unless you're a professional comedian).

  • Tell a touching or funny anecdote.

  • End with a sincere wish for the couple.

Example: "I still remember the day you met... well, let's just say you looked at each other 15 times before daring to speak. Today, you said yes. And frankly, it's the most beautiful logical progression."

Online messaging: between speed and impact

Social media, text messages, or emails are all great ways to congratulate someone quickly, especially if you can't be there. Be careful, however, not to rush things:

  • Avoid chain emojis.

  • Add a little personal touch.

  • Mention an anecdote, a memory, a joke.

Example: "Congratulations to you both! And to think that at university, we used to bet on who would get married last... Well done, you won hands down (and with the ring as a bonus)!"

Adapt your message to the relationship with the bride and groom

how-to-congratulate-on-a-wedding-the-best-ideas-to-mark-the-occasion-in-style

Congratulating your brother, your colleague, or your neighbor is not the same thing. Here are some tips for adjusting your tone without hitting a false note.

If you are a close friend

It's time to go all out. A personal message, full of emotion, even a little irony if that's your style. Recount a memorable memory, express your joy, slip in a kind word for each of you, and if the opportunity arises, mention the magnificent lace wedding dress that made one of the most memorable moments of the day shine.

Example: "I've seen you fall in love, I've seen you go through the struggles and laugh together. Today, I see you getting married. And frankly, I've rarely been so proud to be a part of your story."

If you are a colleague

Here, we keep things simple but warm. No overly intimate private jokes, but a little professional wink can raise a smile.

Example: "Congratulations to you both! All my best wishes for this new adventure... hoping that managing the wedding budget went better than the last project!"

If you are a distant family member

Show that you're touched, without going overboard. You may not be super close, but your message can still make an impact.

Example: "It's always a joy to see two people come together with so much love. All my best wishes for this new chapter in your life."

Ideas for original formulas to stand out from the crowd

how-to-congratulate-on-a-wedding-the-best-ideas-to-mark-the-occasion-in-style

Tired of the classics? Here are some options that are a bit different, like a Long Sleeve Wedding Dress , to adapt to the couple's style and your connection with them.

For romantics

  • “May your love shine brighter every day than the last.”

  • “A wedding is not a destination, it’s the beginning of a road trip for two.”

For comedians

  • “Good luck living together without fighting over the remote control.”

  • "Congratulations! You are now hired by a company with a (very) permanent contract, without RTT."

For dreamers

  • "May your union be like a good wine: which improves with age (and is drunk together)."

  • "You are proof that fairy tales still exist."

Mistakes to avoid in a congratulatory message

Even with the best intentions, it's easy to make a small mistake. Here are some pitfalls to avoid .

Being too impersonal

"Congratulations on your wedding! All the best on this special day where every detail counts—including your beautiful strapless wedding dress , which looks amazing on you. May love, joy, and precious memories be with you forever.

Making questionable jokes

Anything related to infidelity, divorce, or boring clichés ("Finally settled down!"): no thanks. Even among friends, it can create awkwardness.

Talking too much about yourself

This is not your day. Avoid sharing your life or marriage experiences (even if you've been married 3 times and have a PhD in "marriage theory").

Some inspiration for messages to copy and paste (or almost)

We're not going to leave you without a toolbox . Here are some ready-to-use templates to choose from or adapt.

Example 1 – Classic but touching

"Congratulations on this wonderful day! May your life together be filled with happiness, love, shared projects... and daily laughter."

Example 2 – Funny and light

"Congratulations! You've just entered the married couple league. Bonus: you earn the right to argue about silly things, but always with love."

Example 3 – Poetic and warm

"Two souls, one promise, one endless adventure. I wish you a love that brightens up gray days, and laughter that resonates even under the sheets."

Example 4 – Original

"A wedding is like a good movie: there are twists and turns, laughter, sometimes a few tears... but what matters is that you are the two main actors, and above all, that you write the script together."

In summary: be sincere, be yourself.

There's no magic formula for perfect congratulations, but there is one ingredient that never fails: sincerity. Whether you're a poet, a joker, or a discreet person, what matters is that your message comes from the heart . No need for pompous quotes or overly grand words: an authentic message will always resonate more than an overly polished speech.

And if you're really undecided between several styles, you can always mix things up. A little tenderness, a touch of humor, and hey presto, you have a card that will hit the mark. And which, who knows, might end up in the couple's memory box, tucked away next to the photo of the cake — like the ones you can see here, for example .

Conclusion

There you have it, you now have all the keys to congratulating the newlyweds with flair . Whether with a pen dipped in humor or emotion, orally or in writing, the main thing is to be true, relevant... and a bit creative.

So, the next time you see two newly wed lovebirds, don't just say "Congratulations" offhand. Bring out your best phrase and make their hearts sparkle... like a glass of champagne.


JOIN THE MY BEAUTIFUL WEDDING FAMILY