What to Write in an Engagement Card: Messages for Friends, Family & Colleagues

What should you write in an engagement card?

An engagement card only needs three things: congratulations, something warm about the couple, and a nod to what's ahead. Two or three sentences is plenty. If you want one line that works for anyone: "Congratulations on your engagement! Wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness."

The best messages are written with the couple in mind: how long you've known them, whether you were there when they met, what you like about them together. Below you'll find wording for every relationship, funny and heartfelt options, messages for a second engagement, and a short list of things to avoid.

Short engagement messages that suit anyone

• "Congratulations on your engagement!"
• "So happy for you both. What wonderful news."
• "Wishing you a lifetime of love and laughter together."
• "Here's to the two of you, and to everything ahead."
• "You two were made for each other. Congratulations!"
• "Best wishes on your engagement and the exciting times to come."
• "Two of our favourite people, together forever. Congratulations."

Engagement card messages for a close friend

• "I've watched you two fall in love and it's been a joy. Congratulations, and yes, I'm available for dress shopping."
• "So thrilled for you both. You deserve every bit of this happiness."
• "You said yes! I'm not surprised, he's lovely. Congratulations to you both."
• "To my best friend and her future husband: I couldn't be happier. Let the planning begin."
• "Congratulations! I've been waiting years to write this card."

Engagement messages for a son, daughter, brother or sister

• "To our son and future daughter-in-law, congratulations. We are so proud, and so happy to welcome you to the family."
• "Congratulations, darling. Watching you find someone who loves you this much is everything a parent could want."
• "To my little sister and her fiancé: about time! Congratulations, love you both."
• "Congratulations, bro. She's far too good for you and we couldn't be happier."
• "To our daughter and her wonderful partner, wishing you a lifetime of the happiness you've given us."

Engagement messages from grandparents

• "Congratulations to our darling grandchild. We wish you the kind of marriage we've been lucky enough to have."
• "Sixty years ago we did the same thing. It's worked out rather well. Congratulations, both."
• "With love and blessings on your engagement, from two people who are very proud of you."

Funny engagement card messages

• "Congratulations! Now the arguments about the guest list can begin."
• "He asked, you said yes, and now everyone wants to know the date. Welcome to the next twelve months."
• "Congratulations on your engagement. Remember, the ring is the last easy decision."
• "So happy for you both. Please don't do a first dance to anything by Ed Sheeran."
• "Engaged! Congratulations. I'll start practising my speech."

Heartfelt engagement messages

• "Some people spend a lifetime looking for what you two have found. Congratulations."
• "You bring out the best in each other, and it shows. Wishing you a marriage as happy as your engagement."
• "May the love you feel today only grow. Congratulations to a wonderful couple."
• "Here's to a lifetime of small kindnesses, shared jokes and Sunday mornings together."

Engagement messages for a second engagement

Keep the focus on now. Don't mention the first.

• "So happy you've found each other. Congratulations on your engagement."
• "Wishing you both every happiness. You deserve it."
• "Love found you both, and we couldn't be more pleased. Congratulations."

Engagement messages from colleagues

• "Congratulations on your engagement from all of us. Wishing you both every happiness."
• "Wonderful news! Best wishes to you and your fiancé."
• "Congratulations! We expect full wedding-planning updates at every tea break."

Religious engagement card messages

• "May God bless your engagement and guide you towards a marriage full of love."
• "Two are better than one. (Ecclesiastes 4:9) Congratulations to you both."
• "Praying for a wonderful engagement and an even more wonderful marriage."

What not to write in an engagement card

• "About time!" unless you're very close and very sure it'll land.
• Anything about the ring's size or cost.
• Questions about the date, venue or budget. They've been asked a hundred times already.
• Ex-partners. Obviously.
• Marriage advice. Save it for the wedding, or better still, don't.

How to address and sign an engagement card

Address it to both of them by first name, in whichever order sounds natural. Sign off "With love" for friends and family, "Warmest congratulations" for anyone more formal. If you're writing on behalf of a couple or a family, list everyone or use "from all of us".

Do you give a gift with an engagement card?

You don't have to, and many people don't. If you'd like to, a personalised keepsake marking the engagement itself is a lovely choice, because the wedding gifts will all be for the house. An engraved glass set for the toast, a personalised print with their names and the date they got engaged, or a keepsake box for the cards and the champagne cork are all popular. Our personalised engagement gifts cover the classics. And when the wedding comes round, our guide to what to write in a wedding card will be waiting.

A few tips before you write

• Spell both names correctly, including the one you know less well.
• Write to both of them, even if you only really know one.
• One specific line beats a page of generalities. Mention something you've noticed about them together.

Whatever you write, they'll read it with a ring on and a grin. You can't really go wrong.