Love is in the air for your favourite co-worker, and you’ve been invited to the big day. Whether you’ve shared an office space for years or you’ve just begun to forge a professional bond, being invited to celebrate this momentous occasion cements your friendship and deepens the connection you share.

But what’s the etiquette when it comes to writing a wedding message to a colleague? Do you keep it light and fun like you would for a friend, or more formal in tone like you would for a family member? It can be tricky to strike a balance between fun and professional when writing to a work colleague.

But, don’t stress— we’re here to help! Read on to learn all about how to write a wedding card message for a colleague, including some example wedding quotes you could include, and top tips for writing wedding card wishes.

What is a wedding card message?

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A wedding card message is a simple but effective way to convey your congratulations to the happy couple on their big day. You can also express your gratitude at having been invited, and share happy memories from the time you’ve known them.

It’s best to follow a simple format. For example, a simple introduction, a wedding congratulations message, and a polite sign-off. This way, your wedding card remains professional and respectful.

What to put in a wedding card to a colleague

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It’s best to keep it simple when writing a wedding card to a colleague. Try using the following format:

A simple greeting

Although you can end up becoming very close to your work colleagues, to avoid any awkwardness in the office, it’s best to keep wedding cards friendly but professional. As a result, a simple greeting is your best bet when writing a wedding card to a work colleague.

Try something short and sweet like:

To [COUPLE’S NAMES]
Dear [TITLES AND SURNAMES]

If you’re not sure what titles to use, we have a handy section on wedding card writing etiquette in our post on what to write in a wedding card.

Wedding wishes or congratulations

Your wedding wishes and congratulations can be a little more creative, but it’s still best to err on the side of caution and keep any messages respectful and kind. Feel free to add a personal touch to your wishes, share anecdotes, and express your genuine happiness for the couple.

If you’re stuck on what to write, try using:

What an incredible journey you’re both starting on. Thank you for inviting me to be part of your special day.
What a beautiful day you’ve both shared. I wish you a lifetime of love, health, and happiness together.

Or, if you’re feeling a little cheeky, you could try:

Thank you for the party of a lifetime. Monday is going to be such a comedown after this!
Congratulations on a beautiful day! May your love be as everlasting as the office coffee supply and your happiness as endless as a Friday afternoon.

A heartfelt sign-off

The last part of your wedding card should include a sign-off from you and your plus one (if you had one!)

As with your greeting, keep it simple. Try using the following sign-offs:

Thank you again for inviting me/us. From, [NAMES]
All the best, [NAMES]

Be mindful of tone

It’s best to keep a formal tone in a wedding card to a colleague. Even if you’re close with your colleague, you don’t want a bad joke or an informal message to offend them accidentally and make Monday awkward!

Instead, a message of sincere congratulations and best wishes is the safest and most considerate choice in a professional setting.

Wedding card message structure

Check out the infographic below to help guide your writing:

How to Write a Wedding Card Message for a Colleague: Structure Guide — Follow this general structure when composing your message

Wedding quotes to use in a wedding card

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If you’re struggling with what to say and what to write, you can’t go wrong with someone else’s words! Try using a wedding or love quote from a poem or song. The beauty of this method is that you can tailor the quote to the couple’s personal interests.

Try using the below examples to get you started:

Wedding quotes from songs

“All you need is love.” – The Beatles
“Two hearts in love need no words.” – Marceline Desbordes-Valmore
“Love and marriage, love and marriage, go together like a horse and carriage.” – Frank Sinatra, “Love and Marriage”
“Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you (TWO!)” – The Beatles, “Because”

Wedding quotes from poems

“Love is an endless act of forgiveness. Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom.” – Maya Angelou
“Two souls with but a single thought; two hearts that beat as one.” – John Keats
“Love sought is good, but given unsought is better.” – William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night
“Love is most nearly itself when here and now cease to matter.” – T.S. Eliot

Wedding quotes from films

“The best love is the kind that awakens the soul; that makes us reach for more, that plants the fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds.” – The Notebook
“What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined for life… to strengthen each other… to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories.” – The Notebook
“When you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” – When Harry Met Sally
“Love, it never dies. It never goes away, it never fades, so long as you hang on to it.” – Moulin Rouge

Wedding pop culture quotes

“To infinity and beyond!” – Buzz Lightyear, Toy Story
“We are all a little weird, and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” – Dr. Seuss
“True love stories never have endings.” – Richard Bach
“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” – Mignon McLaughlin

Top tips for wedding card wishes

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Don’t write it at the last minute

It’s easy to tell when a card was written at the last minute, or worse in the car on the way there! Sit down a few days before the wedding with a cup of tea and write your wedding card.

Don’t overthink it

Remember the cup of tea we mentioned earlier? It couldn’t take longer to write your card than it takes to drink a tea. Don’t overthink what you’re writing in your card. Keep it short and speak from the heart.

Think about your relationship

Although some work colleagues start to feel like family, you may not always work together. You want to leave a positive impression on your work colleague by leaving a positive message in their wedding card. Don’t overstep the mark and try to be too friendly, or include unprofessional inside jokes. Instead, keep it simple, friendly, and chilled.

Say thank you

Congratulate your colleague on their special day and thank them for inviting you at the same time. It’s fast, efficient, and saves you from needing to send two cards!

Write a great wedding card message with Bridebook

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A wedding card to a colleague is a great way to express your gratitude for having been invited, your warmth, and your best wishes for their special day. The tone should be more formal than in a card to a family member or friend. However, you could include a fun quote about love from their favourite song, film, or pop-culture moment if you’re feeling creative.

The best advice is to write the card a few days beforehand, not to overthink it, and to say thank you! However, if you’re still feeling stuck, check out our post on what to include in a wedding card. We have some handy wedding card examples and top tips on card writing.