If someone you know has recently made an engagement announcement, it’s time to put pen to paper and congratulate them with a card. It’s common for friends and family to give congratulations cards to the couple to let them know they are loved and cherished by their community. It’s also a great way to show your support for the union.
Writing a congratulations message for an engagement doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t have to write paragraphs, but there are a few common things to include.
Who should send an engagement congratulations card?
If you know the couple well enough to send them a Christmas card, you can send them an engagement card. A card is a nice gesture that is unlikely to be rejected, so don’t worry about how close you are to the couple.
However, be aware that they are likely to invite you to the wedding if you send a card. If you are sending a card solely to secure an invite to their wedding, perhaps ask if you are acting for the right reasons.
Keep it short and sweet
An engagement congratulations message doesn’t have to be very long. Keep it short and sweet and save the longer message for the wedding. You could simply write one of the following messages:
“Congratulations on your engagement. [Your partner’s name] and I and over the moon at your announcement. Wishing you all the best in your life together.”
“Congratulations on your happy news! Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness together.”
“Here’s to the next exciting chapter in your lives, so excited to hear that you are tying the knot!”
Save the jokes
Even if they are your best friend and you expect to be making a speech at their wedding. Save the jokes for your speech, don’t put them in writing. While the joke might be fun for your friend, there is a chance their partner won’t find it as amusing.
An engagement is supposed to be a joyous time, so don’t weigh things down by making poor taste jokes about the couple. Even if the engagement is long overdue or unexpected, save your comments for another time.
Offer your support
If you suspect you’ll be invited to the wedding (and most people will know if they will) then make sure you offer your support to help in planning the engagement party or the big day itself. You don’t have to offer specific support, but if there’s something you can do well (like making the cake or helping find the venue) mention this in your card. Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, and they will appreciate that you are offering your support right off the bat.
Be sentimental
You can afford to be a little bit sappy in this particular card. Let out all of your emotions and let them know how happy you are for them. Share a story about when you knew they were meant to be together, or something about when they first got together. If you played a part in bringing them together, you can also mention this in your card message.
Address them as a couple
You might only know one of them well, but you should always address them as a couple in the card. Excluding their partner or only addressing the card to one half of the couple would be seen as an awkward move. If you don’t know their partner’s name, or if you don’t want to congratulate their partner too, then ask yourself if you should really be sending a congratulations card.
Share a quote
If you have a favourite quote about love or marriage, don’t be afraid to share it with the couple. Quotes are excellent as they can say what you want to say, without you feeling awkward about coming up with something original. If you struggle to find the words to express what you mean, then a quote or a poem could be an excellent alternative.
Try these quotes as a starting point:
“If I get married, I want to be very married.” – Audrey Hepburn
“You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” – Dr Seuss
“Love recognises no barriers, it jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination, full of hope.” – Maya Angelou
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu
“When you trip over love, it is easy to get up. But when you fall in love, it is impossible to stand again.” – Albert Einstein
Only send a card if you mean it
You are under no obligation to send a congratulations card, particularly if you don’t agree with the union. It’s better to say nothing than to send a card that will be unwelcome. You don’t have to prove anything by sending a card, and often saying nothing is better than forcing platitudes.
