Creating Wedding Gift Envelopes: A Guide For The Perfect Reception

Wedding gift envelopes are an important part of the gift-giving process. They are the first thing the couple will see when they receive your present, and they can add an emotional touch to your gift. When creating a wedding gift envelope, it is essential to consider the design, format, and message. The envelope should be addressed to the couple using their preferred names or titles, such as Mr. and Mrs. or The Newlyweds. The message inside the envelope should be heartfelt and sincere, offering the couple a loving and positive wish for their marriage and new life together. It is also essential to consider the tone of your message, which can range from formal to casual, depending on your relationship with the couple.

Choosing the right words

The words you choose to write on a wedding gift envelope are important. You want to convey your happiness and best wishes for the couple. If you are stuck on what to write, here are some ideas to get you started.

First, consider your relationship with the couple. Are you close friends, family, or just acquaintances? This will help determine the tone and content of your message. If you are not sure what to write, it is always a good idea to seek advice from a friend or family member who is good with words.

Keep in mind that your message can be tear-jerking, laugh-inducing, or something in between. As long as your words are genuine, you are on the right track. Think about what the couple likes and will find amusing, heartfelt, or wonderful. Even if you are not super close with the couple, you can still write something meaningful.

• "Much love and many blessings."
• "Congratulations on this next step of your journey together."
• "Best wishes to you on this wonderful journey!"
• "May your joining together bring you more happiness than you can imagine!"
• "Thank you for inviting us/me to share this joyful day! We/I wish you a lifetime of happiness."
• "Congratulations on your wedding/marriage!"
• "We/I love you! Congrats!"

If you are including a monetary gift, you can add a note such as:

• "Please use this gift for something you need to start your new life together."
• "Thanks for the free booze! Best wishes on a long, happy marriage!"

For religious couples, you may want to include a religious sentiment:

• "May God bless you and your marriage."
• "May God grant you all of life's blessings and love's joys."
• "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud..." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

Remember, the most important thing is to write from the heart and bless the couple on their special day.

Gift tag design

When it comes to wedding gift tags, there are endless options to choose from. You can opt for standard rectangular or oblong labels, or something more unique, like a heart-shaped tag. If you want to get creative, you can even design your own custom tags, choosing the layout, design, and text.

Design and Layout:

• Customisation: Opt for customisation to make your gift stand out. You can create your own gift tags from scratch or use online templates to design something unique.
• Colours and Patterns: Play with colours and decorative patterns to match the wedding theme or the couple's style. Consider a minimalist approach with simple colours or go bold with geometric patterns and floral designs.
• Font and Wording: Experiment with different font combinations to add a traditional or modern touch. You can use script or serif fonts for a classic look or try something more whimsical to match the couple's personality.

Wording and Tone:

• Heartfelt and Sincere: Wedding wishes should offer the couple a loving and positive message for their new life together. Make it heartfelt and sincere. You can include a blessing, such as "May your life be all that you've dreamt it to be."
• Humorous: If you're close to the couple, you can opt for a humorous approach with a funny quote or inside joke. Just be careful to avoid sensitive topics.
• Formal: For a more formal or traditional wedding, consider a formal tone. Wish the couple a "lifetime of love, joy, and happiness" or "all the best."
• Religious: If the couple is religious, you can include a prayer or a blessing in your message, such as "May God bless you and grant you all of life's joys together."
• Personal Memories: Share a special memory or moment that you've shared with the couple. This will make your gift tag unique and guaranteed to bring a smile to their faces.

Some Final Tips:

• Keep it Short and Sweet: As a general rule, it's best to keep your message concise and heartfelt.
• Consider the Couple's Relationship: Think about how close you are to the couple, the nature of the wedding (formal, casual, traditional, etc.), and their personalities when crafting your message.
• Spellcheck: These gift tags will likely be kept as treasured memories, so make sure your spelling and grammar are correct!

With these tips and ideas, you can design wedding gift tags that are not only visually appealing but also convey your warmest wishes to the happy couple.

When to give the gift

If you are attending a wedding, it is considered polite to bring a card to the ceremony. This is true even if you have already sent a gift to the couple's home or contributed to their honeymoon fund. If you are giving a gift, it is best to send it straight to the couple's address, rather than bringing it to the wedding. This is because the couple will have a lot to think about on their wedding day, and it would be an inconvenience for them to have to figure out where to store the gift and how to transport it from the venue.

If you are unable to attend the wedding, you can still send a card and/or gift. It is acceptable to send your well-wishes anytime between receiving the invitation and a few weeks after the wedding.

Traditionally, wedding gifts can be sent up to a year after the wedding, but it is recommended to send them within three months of the wedding. It is a nice gesture to send your gift before the wedding day, or at least promptly after.

If you are the bride or groom, you may wish to exchange gifts with each other. This can be a great way to calm pre-wedding nerves and share a private moment during a busy day. This exchange can take place before the ceremony, or the day before the wedding.

Envelope design

The design of the envelope is just as important as the message inside. It is the first thing the couple will see, so you want to make a good impression. The envelope should be well-presented and aesthetically pleasing.

You can opt for a standard rectangular or oblong shape, or something more unique such as a heart shape. If you want to get creative, you can design your own custom envelope with a layout, design, and text of your choice. You can also print photos of the couple and memories on the envelope to make it more special.

When it comes to the colour, you can choose something that matches the wedding theme or the couple's style. If you're not sure, classic colours like white, cream, or light grey are always a safe choice. You can also add some embellishments like ribbons, stamps, or wax seals to give it a luxurious feel.

Remember to write the couple's names or "The Newlyweds" on the envelope. If you're very close to the couple, you can even add a fun nickname or inside joke that they will appreciate.

Finally, don't forget to seal the envelope securely. You can use a regular envelope seal, but if you want to add a special touch, consider using a sticker with a cute design or a personalized return address label.

What to write inside the envelope

When addressing the envelope, if you are unsure of how the couple will be handling last names, there are some easy workarounds. Address the envelope with "To the newlyweds", "To the Mr. and Mrs.", "To the Mr. and Mr.", or "To the Mrs. and Mrs.".

If you are giving a monetary gift, it is better to give a check instead of cash. That way, if it gets misplaced, you can still track it.

Now, onto the fun part: what to write inside the envelope!

When writing your wedding wishes, it is important to address the card to both members of the couple. If you know the bride, avoid making the card too personal to just her. Now that she is married, the contents of the card should be relevant to both of the newlyweds.

Try to avoid being too generic. Always include a note beyond what is pre-written inside the card. If you are short on words, you can say something like, "I found this card, and these words were exactly how I felt". This gives added emphasis to the card itself.

Be careful with humor. Sarcasm on paper can be hard to read without context. Avoid topics that could be sensitive to the couple, such as money or the length of their relationship.

The better you know them, the more personal the card can be. You can include a memory that involves them. Sign-offs can be full of love; some examples include "XOXO", "Elated for you", "Over the moon for you", and "Madly in love with you two".

• "Dear [Couple's Names], Congratulations on your wedding day. I wish you a lifetime of health and happiness. Best regards, [Your Name(s)]".
• "Dear [Couple's Names], Thank you for inviting me to share in this special day! May your marriage be filled with success and happiness. Best wishes, [Your Name(s)]".
• "Dear [Couple's Names], Many prayers for a happy and healthy union. May God bless you and grant you all of life's joys together. With love, [Your Name(s)]".
• "Dear [Couple's Names], I should have known the first time I caught you playing footsie underneath the table in our college cafeteria that we'd end up here one day. From late-night library sessions to even later-night McDonald's runs, it's been such a joy adventuring through life with you these past seven years. Here's to seventy more. XOXO, [Your Name(s)]".
• "To the newlyweds—I'll never forget that first Thanksgiving when [Partner's Name] let their new girlfriend/boyfriend take the last slice of pumpkin pie without complaining. I knew something was different then, and now, here we are! [Partner's Name], you've been like a sister/brother to me these past few years, and today, I couldn't be happier to officially call you my sister/brother-in-law. Welcome to the family! I'm so happy for you both. Love and congratulations, [Your Name(s)]".
• " [Couple's Names], The greatest hope a parent has for their child is that they find a partner to travel through life with. Today, my daughter/son gains that partner and I gain a son/daughter. What a wonderful moment for our family, and for the one that you two have now begun. May everything that comes next be as filled with joy as this day is. All my love, Mom and/or Dad".

Remember, the message is just as important as the present!

Frequently asked questions