What to write in a wedding guest book

You’re at the wedding, guest book in hand, and it’s your turn with the pen… drawing a blank? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. It’s safe to say that we know wedding cards here at thortful, so we’re here to help you figure out what to write in a wedding guest book.

Once you’ve figured out something nice to write in the wedding card, make sure you’ve got the best one at the ceremony. Here’s a little selection of our favourites:

How to write your wedding book message

While we’ve got tons of wedding guest book messages you can crib from if you scroll down a little, you might want to write your own from scratch. If you’re looking for some tips to write your own message, this might help.

Keep it short

As lovely as it is to write a nice long message, it’s also important to not hog the guest book for too long. Keeping it short is sensible – and ‘short’ is relative, but as a rule of thumb, we’d say stick to a few sentences, and keep it no longer than a paragraph or so. That way, you can make sure everyone has a chance to fill out their well-wishes!

Tailor your message to the happy couple

When you’re choosing what to write, tailor your message to how you know the couple and the tone of their big day.

For example, if the newlyweds are some of your best friends from uni then a snappy, funny message that will make them laugh is bound to hit the mark.

If they’re having a grand, traditional wedding, then they might prefer a more formal message, or even one of our wedding guest book quote suggestions (scroll down to spot them).

If the ceremony was romantic and sweet, then write a heartfelt message to match – and wouldn’t you know it, we’ve got plenty of those below for you as well.

Short wedding guest book messages

Shorter messages might seem a bit more formal, but formal doesn’t mean you need to write ‘to whom it may concern’ or sign off your message with a ‘yours truly’. Here are some sweet ‘n’ short wedding guest book messages to sign your name to.

1. I’m so happy for you both – here’s to a lifetime of happiness together.
2. Best wishes to the happy couple on their big day! Wishing you lots of love
3. Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness.
4. All the best for your future together
5. Thank you for inviting me to your special day
6. Congratulations and here’s to many happy years ahead
7. It’s been amazing to celebrate with you, thank you for inviting me!
8. Your big day was as amazing as you both are.
9. Wishing you all the happiness possible as you begin your new life together.
10. Thank you for inviting me to be a part of your big day.

Heartfelt wedding guest message ideas

This is the happy couple’s big day – they’ve put the effort into arranging it, and you’re here to celebrate it, so write from the heart with some genuinely sweet and sincere wedding wishes like these ones. Need a card to match? We’ve got plenty of heartfelt wedding cards that will do the trick.

1. You both mean the world to me – wishing you an entire lifetime of happiness, joy, and laughter
2. Being here with you both as you begin your amazing new life together means so much to me.
3. I can’t imagine a happier day with two better people. You are going to have a brilliant life together, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it.
4. We’ve celebrated so many amazing things together, but this has to be the best one. Here’s to many more days as happy as this one!
5. Thank you so much for having me as a part of your special day, and congratulations on the beginning of your amazing new adventure together
6. May the beautiful love you share continue to grow and flourish over the years.
7. As you take this huge step, know that I will always be there for both of you. You have my love and support, today, tomorrow, and always.
8. I hope this day has been as magical as the two of you are together – cherish every moment, because you guys were made for each other.
9. You two are the best example I know of what true love looks like, and I know you have countless happy years ahead of you. Congratulations and well done!
10. I will treasure the memories of today forever. Thank you for sharing this beautiful day with us all – I couldn’t be happier to be here to celebrate your love.

Wedding guest book advice for newlyweds

The guest book is a lovely place to give the happy couple some hard-won advice and tips about a happy marriage – here are some suggestions.

1. Laugh every day, never go to bed angry, and always hold on to each other
2. The small gestures mean as much as the big ones – show how much you love each other every day
3. Be flexible and adaptable with each other, but be solid as a rock in your love
4. Always make time for each other
5. Stand close on the good days. Stand closer on the bad days.
6. The two of you make an amazing team, and you can handle anything this wild world throws at you.
7. Laughter is always the best medicine – if you can laugh at each other and smile through the tough times, you’re onto a winner.
8. Hold hands, hold each other accountable, and hold each other every night.
9. Be there for each other through good times and bad, and always try to be the good thing in each other’s lives in the hard times.
10. Every marriage is unique, and every marriage is special – there’s no one right way to do it, so don’t worry about doing it wrong.

Funny wedding guest book messages

Sometimes your relationship with the newlyweds is a bit more ‘lol you’re getting married’ than ‘I’m crying into my wedding favours’. If that’s the case, then this list of drily funny things to write in the guest book might be more up your street.

Looking for more inspiration? Our fabulously funny wedding card collection is your next port of call.

1. Marriage is an endless sleepover with your favourite weirdo
2. Marriage is all about giving and receiving… giving your spouse a hard time and taking all the credit for being right.
3. Thanks for the free booze and a decent party!
4. Marriage is like any other job: it really helps if you like your boss.
5. Look at you two getting all married and all that grown up shit.
6. Well, it’s about bloody time.
7. This seems like a lot of effort to get some new bath towels and a toaster, but whatever works, I guess.
8. Marriage is just asking each other ‘what do you want for tea’ until one of you dies. Congratulations!
9. You two weirdos are disgustingly perfect for each other.
10. 90% of being married is shouting ‘WHAT?’ from the other room.

Wedding guest book quotes

Sometimes, someone else has already said what you want to say, and they’ve said it better. Plus, writing a quote always makes you look oh-so smart and cultured, right? Here are some quotes by the greats that are ideal for writing in the guest book.

1. “Marriage is an alliance entered into by a man who can’t sleep with the window shut and a woman who can’t sleep with the window open.” — Ogden Nash
2. ‘Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is thread, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years. That is what makes a marriage last—more than passion or even sex.’ – Simone Signoret
3. “When first we fall in love, we feel that we know all there is to know about life, and perhaps we are right.” – Mignon McLaughlin
4. “This may not seem to be a very romantic definition of love… but I think it’s a true one. It’s love, when another person’s needs are as important as your own.” – Abe Burrows
5. “Those who love deeply never grow old; they may die of old age, but they die young.” – Arthur Pinero
6. “I married for love, but the obvious side benefit of having someone around to find my glasses cannot be ignored.” —Cameron Esposito
7. “Being a good husband is like being a standup comic. You need 10 years before you can call yourself a beginner.” — Jerry Seinfeld
8. “Marriage is not just spiritual communion and passionate embraces; marriage is also three meals a day and remembering to carry the trash out.” —Joyce Brothers
9. “I love being married. It’s so great to find one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.” – Rita Rudner
10. “My most brilliant achievement was my ability to persuade my wife to marry me.” – Winston Churchill

Can’t be there on the big day? Don’t worry – we’ve also got ideas for wedding wishes when you can’t attend a wedding, and plenty of funny wedding cards to go along with them. And if you’re busy preparing for the ceremony of the year, make sure you check out the thortful blog where you can find lots of inspiration such as our guide on what to wear to a wedding.