A Spanish wedding message works best when it’s short, warm, and clear, with a greeting, one wish, and a simple sign-off.
You want to write in Spanish because it fits the couple, their family, or the moment. Then you open the card and freeze. Do you write Queridos or Estimados? Do you use tú or usted? Is “¡Felicidades!” enough?
Here’s the trick: you’re not writing a speech. A wedding card is a small space where one sincere wish lands better than a long list. Spanish is great at that.
Choose A Tone Before You Write
Spanish signals closeness fast. Pick the tone first, then the words come easier. Start by asking: how would I talk to them at the reception?
- Close: friends and close relatives.
- Warm and neutral: neighbors and extended family.
- Formal: coworkers you don’t know well, or elders you speak to with extra respect.
If you’re writing to both people, plural phrasing like “Les deseo…” or “Que tengan…” stays friendly without getting too familiar.
Opening And Closing Punctuation In Spanish
On cards, Spanish often places a colon after the opening line, then the message begins on the next line. The Real Academia Española describes this pattern for opening and closing lines in letters and emails, and it fits cards well. RAE punctuation for opening and closing lines.
Use A Simple Three-Line Formula
If you only write three lines, your card can still feel full:
- Opening with names.
- One wish that sounds like you.
- Closing plus your name.
Line 1: Opening Options
- Warm: “Queridos [nombres]:”
- Neutral: “[Nombres]:”
- Formal: “Estimados [nombres]:”
Line 2: One Wish
Choose one pattern, then add one detail:
- “Les deseo una vida juntos llena de…”
- “Que su matrimonio esté lleno de…”
- “Me alegra tanto verlos dar este paso…”
A short, specific wish reads better than stacking many. Think laughter on rough days, patience in small moments, staying on the same team.
Line 3: Closing
If your closing is a short phrase like “Con cariño,” Spanish commonly places a comma before your name, as shown in the RAE’s examples for letter closings. RAE closing examples.
- Warm: “Con cariño,” / “Un abrazo,”
- Neutral: “Saludos cordiales,”
- Formal: “Atentamente,”
Wedding Card in Spanish With Copy-Ready Messages
Pick one message, swap in names, then add one personal line if you’ve got space.
Short Messages That Fit Small Cards
Option 1
“Queridos [nombres]: Que su vida juntos esté llena de amor, paciencia y risas. Con cariño, [tu nombre].”
Option 2
“[Nombres]: Felicidades por su boda. Que este día sea el inicio de muchos años felices. Un abrazo, [tu nombre].”
Messages For Close Friends
“[Nombres]: Verlos juntos siempre da alegría. Que sigan cuidándose en lo pequeño y celebrándose en lo grande. Un abrazo fuerte, [tu nombre].”
Messages For Family
“Queridos [nombres]: Qué alegría verlos unir sus vidas. Que su hogar esté lleno de unión, salud y ternura. Con mucho cariño, [tu nombre].”
Messages For Coworkers Or Acquaintances
“Estimados [nombres]: Felicidades por su boda. Les deseo dicha y una vida juntos llena de buenos momentos. Saludos cordiales, [tu nombre].”
If you want a quick feel for formal vs informal openings and sign-offs, the Centro Virtual Cervantes shows letter styles by register. Centro Virtual Cervantes on formal and informal letters.
Add One Personal Line Without Overthinking
A card stops feeling generic when you add a line that only you could write. One sentence is enough.
Try A Trait You’ve Seen
- “Se nota el respeto que se tienen.”
- “Da gusto ver cómo se escuchan.”
- “Me encanta cómo se apoyan sin hacer ruido.”
Or A Concrete Hope
- “Que nunca les falte una mesa con amigos.”
- “Que tengan domingos lentos y planes que les hagan sonreír.”
- “Que sigan siendo equipo cuando toque apretar.”
Spanish uses opening and closing exclamation and question marks. The RAE confirms these are paired signs in Spanish spelling rules. RAE rules on exclamation and question marks.
Message Builder Table For Common Situations
Use this table when you want a fast, fitting message. Swap names, then add one personal line if you like.
| Situation | Opening | Core Line |
|---|---|---|
| Close Friends | “Queridos [nombres]:” | “Que su vida juntos esté llena de risas, paciencia y planes compartidos.” |
| Friend Group Card | “[Nombres]:” | “Nos alegra celebrar con ustedes. Que esta etapa venga llena de buenos días.” |
| Family | “Queridos [nombres]:” | “Que su hogar esté lleno de unión, salud y calma, hoy y siempre.” |
| Parents To Child | “Queridos hijos:” | “Verlos elegir una vida juntos nos llena de alegría. Que se cuiden con ternura.” |
| Coworkers | “Estimados [nombres]:” | “Felicidades por su boda. Les deseo armonía y un porvenir lleno de buenos momentos.” |
| Neighbors | “Queridos [nombres]:” | “Qué gusto celebrar con ustedes. Que esta etapa les traiga serenidad y compañía.” |
| Religious Tone | “Queridos [nombres]:” | “Que Dios los bendiga y les dé paz, amor y fortaleza en su matrimonio.” |
| Second Marriage | “Queridos [nombres]:” | “Qué alegría verlos construir esta etapa. Que sigan eligiéndose cada día.” |
Small Language Details That Keep It Clean
You don’t need perfect Spanish to write a great card. A few quick checks help.
Accents You’ll See Often
These pop up in wedding notes: “Qué alegría”, “Más felicidad”, “También”. If you’re unsure, check a trusted dictionary entry before you write it in ink.
Spacing And Paired Marks
Commas and periods attach to the previous word with no extra space. If you write “¡Felicidades!” or a direct question, use both the opening and closing marks so it reads natural in Spanish. RAE guidance on paired punctuation.
When You Don’t Know The Couple Well
When you’re not close, keep it respectful and plain. These lines fit almost any situation:
- “Felicidades por su boda. Les deseo lo mejor en esta nueva etapa.”
- “Mis mejores deseos para ustedes y su familia.”
- “Que su matrimonio esté lleno de amor y respeto.”
How To Mention A Gift
If you’re adding cash, a check, or a registry item, one warm line is enough:
- “Con cariño, aquí va un detalle para celebrar con ustedes.”
- “Con mucho cariño, un pequeño regalo para esta nueva etapa.”
Closing Table And Best Uses
Pick one closing that matches your relationship, write it on its own line, then sign your name.
| Closing | Best fit | Quick note |
|---|---|---|
| “Con cariño,” | Friends, family | Warm and common. |
| “Un abrazo,” | Friends, close coworkers | Friendly and casual. |
| “Con afecto,” | Family, long-time friends | Warm with a slightly formal feel. |
| “Saludos cordiales,” | Acquaintances | Neutral and polite. |
| “Atentamente,” | Formal relationships | Best for professional settings. |
| “Con todo mi cariño,” | Close family | More affectionate; keep the message short. |
Final Card Check
- Names spelled right, accents included if the couple uses them.
- One tone throughout: casual or formal, not both.
- Opening line ends with a colon, then the message starts on the next line.
- Closing line matches your relationship, then your name.
- Leave a bit of white space so handwriting stays readable.
That’s it. A few sincere lines in Spanish can carry a lot of warmth and respect.
References & Sources
- Real Academia Española (RAE).“Puntuación de saludos y despedidas en cartas y correos electrónicos.”Backing for colon use after opening lines and punctuation around closings and signatures.
- Centro Virtual Cervantes.“Cartas formales e informales.”Shows how Spanish register shifts between formal and informal note-writing.
- Real Academia Española (RAE).“Los signos de interrogación y exclamación.”Confirms Spanish uses opening and closing question and exclamation marks.