Before the wedding, brides-to-be generally celebrate their upcoming nuptials with their family members and closest friends during a bridal shower. These events are held in the lead-up to the big day, typically two or three months before the wedding date. As an invited guest, it’s your job to make the event special and memorable; one way you can do just that is by writing a heartfelt card to go along with your gift.
Finding the right words for a bridal shower card can be challenging even for self-proclaimed wordsmiths. Needless to say, you want to write something touching to congratulate the bride on her wedding and share your warm wishes for her happily married future. To make sure you strike the perfect balance, we asked expert Charlotte Righton to share her tips. Here, everything you need to know about penning the sweetest bridal shower card, plus some examples you can very easily make your own.
Meet the Expert
Charlotte Righton is an event coordinator and the founder of Endless Love Creative, a company that hosts events and creative workshops for the art community.
The Ultimate Guide to Bridal Showers
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Bridal Shower Card Writing Tips
Before you put pen to paper, let’s set some ground rules: If you simply blurt out the first thing that comes to mind, it may not hit the mark. Instead, you should take a moment to think about what it is that you want to say and what you want to share.
Include personal touches.
Your bridal shower card shouldn’t read like everyone else's. It’s unique to you and the bride. “A sweet memory, or a place you know they love to visit; incorporate these into your message,” says Righton. “Your friendship will be different from everyone else’s and this will really make it personal.”
Don't try too hard to be funny.
Feeling the pressure to write a witty bridal shower card? Relax. No one expects you to be a comedian. “What you write is very dependent on your relationship,” says Righton. “Don’t feel like you have to make it anything other than who you are. If jokes aren’t very you, don’t do them.” Simple.
Wish the couple future happiness.
“Now is so exciting, but the future is going to be incredible so celebrate that with them,” says Righton. If you’re struggling to find the right words, take a second to wish the soon-to-be newlyweds all the best in their married life. Be genuine and honest.
Don't write more than a paragraph.
Writing reams of good wishes can feel a little intense. “Often you can feel pressure to create epic in-depth stories of romance and how it blossomed,” says Righton. “But deep down something simple and heartfelt will resonate just as much.”
Consider using famous quotes.
If you’re not well-versed in the art of poetry, why not borrow an apt quote for the occasion? “Include something you’ve read before such as a beautiful poem or a famous quote,” suggests Righton. “These show you’ve likened their love to something classic and world-known.”
Don't be afraid to share your emotions.
“A bridal shower is that first real pinch-me moment,” says Righton. “The bride will be nervous and excited in equal measure. Being vulnerable and honest with your words will help the bride feel comforted and loved.” While you want to avoid gushing, don’t be shy about sharing how excited you are with the bride.
Unleash your inner creativity.
“The wedding takes so much planning that the bride will be thinking about everyone but herself,” says Righton. “This is the moment to show her you’ve taken time to really think of her, whether it's with lyrics from a song she loves, or a photo from when [she and her partner] first met.”
Bridal Shower Card Examples
Now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to get specific. Writing an eloquent and touching bridal shower card doesn’t have to be a difficult feat. However, it’s important to remember that what you write will depend on your relationship. With that in mind, here are some bridal shower card examples to use as inspiration.
Bridal Shower Wishes for Your Daughter
“To my beautiful daughter,
My greatest wish is that you have happiness in life. When I see you with [partner's name], I know that wish has come true.
Sending all my love!”
“To [bride's name],
You make me proud every single day! Congratulations on finding someone who appreciates your brilliance and loves you as much as I do!”
“Dear [bride's name],
All a mother ever wants is her daughter to be happy, safe, and healthy! I have no doubt that [partner's name] will make you the happiest woman on earth.”
Bridal Shower Wishes for Your Best Friend
“[Bride's name],
You’re the most wonderful and caring woman I know. You deserve someone equally as amazing…Luckily, you found [him/her]!”
“Dear [bride's name],
You’ve always been an amazing friend and I know that you will make the best wife.
Congratulations! ”
“[Bride's name],
You deserve a ‘happily ever after’ more than anyone I know! I’m glad you found your perfect match and want to wish you a fairy tale marriage.”
Bridal Shower Wishes for Your Sister
“You may be the strongest, most confident woman I know, but you’ll always be my baby sister! I know that [partner's name] will treat you right and can’t wait to welcome [him/her] into our family. Warm wishes for the future!”
“Seeing you and [partner's name] together makes my heart swell! I can’t wait to see my beautiful big sister walk down the aisle and start the next chapter of her life!”
“[Bride's name],
Do you remember when we were children and we ‘married’ the cat and dog in the garden? All I can say is that I hope your big day is as special as Mr. and Mrs. Fuzzy Paws. You deserve all the happiness in the world!”
Bridal Shower Wishes for Your Coworker
“Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! May your future be filled with happiness and love! Can’t wait to celebrate the big day with you.”
“Thank you for including me as part of your special day! Looking forward to seeing you take the next step in your life. Congratulations!”
“[Bride's name],
May your married life be filled with laughter, light, and happiness. You deserve it!”
Bridal Shower Wishes for Your Niece
“[Bride's name],
It seems like only yesterday you were a bubbly little girl running around at family BBQs! So excited to see you’ve found the perfect partner. Looking forward to celebrating the big day with you!”
“Congratulations! It’s wonderful seeing you so happy with [partner's name]. I know [he/she] will make you happy and love you as much as we all do!”
“I’m so thrilled to see you embarking on this new journey in your life. May your married life be everything you imagined!”
Beautiful Bridal Shower Quotes
Searching for the right words but drawing a blank? Leave it to great lyricists. If you’re thinking about including a thoughtful quote in your bridal shower card, here’s a selection of our top picks to consider:
- "You don't love someone because they're perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that they're not." – Jodi Picoult
- “You don’t marry someone you can live with, you marry the person who you cannot live without.” – Aleatha Romig
- “We’re 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
- “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” – Mignon McLaughlin
- “True love is not a hide and seek game: in true love, both lovers seek each other.” – Michael Bassey Johnson
- “When you give each other everything, it becomes an even trade. Each wins all.” – Lois McMaster Bujold
- “To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.” – David Viscott
- “Ultimately the bond of all companionship, whether in marriage or in friendship, is conversation.” – Oscar Wilde
Be sure to choose a quote that you think the bride will relate to and love. Should none of the above fit the bill, do some research of your own and find the perfect phrase.
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