A wedding day letter to the bride and groom is something many parents feel obligated to write. This is a time when many parents feel their child has embarked upon a journey that will change their lives forever - perhaps even more so than other significant life events. During this time, it is normal for parents to reflect upon their children's lives and want to express not only sentimental remembrances, but their hopes and dreams for the couple in the future. A beautifully composed letter is sure to be a cherished memento from the wedding and perhaps even passed from generation to generation, becoming a family wedding tradition for years to come.
Compose a Wedding Day Letter to the Bride and Groom
A letter to the bride and groom on their wedding day is a wonderful way to let your child know how you feel and welcome his or her new spouse into your family. Remember that a letter to the couple is to both of them, not just your child. Include thoughts and feelings about the spouse and the two as a new family. If you want to write something for your child alone, consider writing a special letter or poem to the bride or to the groom.
Most letters to the soon-to-be married couple have similar features, written for the specific people. Write a letter that includes many of the following points, and your new in-law and child will feel privileged to have you as a parent.
Congratulations
One of the first things many parents write in a letter is words of congratulations for the wedding. This is usually a heartfelt welcome to the new spouse and words that express the parents' happiness for the union of their child to his or her spouse.
Pride in Accomplishments
Fathers and mothers of the bride and groom often want to include a small section that has moments of remembrance of accomplishments from their child's youth and adulthood. This section is often sentimental and aimed towards either the bride or groom. However, parents can easily conclude this section by bringing up favorable traits, characteristics and personal achievements of their child's spouse, too. This way, both the bride and groom know they have made their parents proud.
Words of Wisdom
Plenty of people will have wisdom to pass onto the couple on the wedding day. Plan to include several words of wisdom in the wedding day letter to the bride and groom. Let them know that no matter what happens on their wedding day or in their future lives together, the important thing is that they will be married and face challenges as a partnership. Include any additional insights into the actual wedding day in this portion of the letter.
Advice for the Newlyweds
Towards the end of the letter, it is common to give marriage advice to the couple. This advice for newlyweds is usually based upon your own experiences, good or bad. The advice can be touching or tongue-in-cheek, depending on your personality and that of the couple. Write optimistically in this section, even if you choose to discuss difficulties in life. The road ahead of the couple is full of potential and you want to reflect it in this portion of the letter.
Conclude the Letter
End the letter by wrapping up all of your thoughts. When you write the first draft or outline of the wedding day letter to the bride and groom, you may find yourself coming back to a particular theme. Repeat this theme, mantra or words to live by in the end, along with additional congratulations and words of love.
Brides and grooms are often incredibly busy working towards their wedding day and the life afterward. Parents can offer some congratulations and words of wisdom to the couple on their wedding day by composing a letter that speaks from their heart about the new journey the couple is about to embark upon together.