Do you know the correct preposition to use with congratulations? Is it correct to say "congratulations for" or "congratulations on"?
Actually, both can be correct!
Congratulation is the single form of the word, and it means the action of congratulating. In the plural, congratulations is what you say to express pleasure in someone else’s success.
On is the correct preposition when you are expressing good wishes in the context of a positive event:
Congratulations on your wedding!
Congratulations on your baby!
Congratulations on your new job!
Congratulations on winning the game!
Congratulations can be given as a way to praise someone’s achievement. If you are using it like that, then for is the correct preposition:
Congratulations for reaching 100 days of sobriety!
Congratulations for leading the team to victory!
Congratulations for saving the business from bankruptcy!
You can also offer congratulations to someone.
The boss offered congratulations to his employees.
The villagers offered congratulations to the power company for the quick restoration of electricity.
You can also use this word reflexively: "You should congratulate yourself."
You can also just use the word congratulations by itself:
"They shouted ‘Congratulations!’ as the newlyweds walked to the car."
In modern times, wedding guests congratulate both the bride and groom. However, in the past, it was not proper etiquette to congratulate the bride. The correct way was to congratulate the groom and then to offer "best wishes" to the bride. The groom was congratulated because he had won out over his rivals. The bride was offered wishes that her husband would be a good one.
• "Congratulations! You made it! It's time to celebrate all the hard work that led to this joyful occasion. The road to graduation is a long, steep climb, so take a moment at the summit to be proud of your accomplishments." Sheryl Sandberg, Lean In for Graduates
Graduation Quotes
• "Graduation day is finally here, your dreams you did pursue. All your hard work has paid off, we are so very proud of you." Catherine Pulsifer, Graduation Day
College Graduation Quotes
• "Sending you a day full of sunshine, a heaven filled with rainbows, and a pocket full of dreams. May the future ahead of you be as wonderful as you are." Judith Wibberley
High School Graduation Quotes
• "You did it, even when you didn't feel like studying - you did it. Congratulations!" Kate Summers
Short Graduation Quotes
• "We've come not to celebrate your achievements, but to celebrate who you are." Dr. Kevin Leman, Be the Dad She Needs You to Be
Inspirational Quotes
• "You should be excited. You should be proud.
You are amazing. You are awesome.
We wish you success. We wish you happiness.
All your effort over the years has paid off.
Happy Graduation!"
Theodore W. Higginsworth
Graduation Poems
• "Look at you, amazing. We are so proud of you.
We wish you success in all you do.
May happiness and sunshine fill your days
You've worked hard and deserve much praise!
Catherine Pulsifer
Happiness
• "You overcame every test. Done tons of homework. For all those years. Congratulations, you made it." Danielle Duckery, Words For The Occasion: Sentiments and Well Wishes
Overcoming
• "We are so happy for you. You deserve this day to be recognized as you have worked hard to reach graduation day. Well done!" Byron Pulsifer
Happy
• "On this graduation day, we wish for you all good things that life can offer. May this day be a milestone that will bring you fond memories and may your future be brighter than this day." Catherine Pulsifer
Quotes about Life
• "Graduation is a time of completion, of finishing, of an ending, however, it is also a time of celebration of achievement and a beginning for you." Catherine Pulsifer
New Beginnings
• "As a graduate, you have worked long and hard, usually for many years, and deserve the recognition you are receiving." Jay Remer
Work
• "Congratulations! today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away." Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!
Funny Graduation Quotes
• "Behind you now is yesterday; let your experience and knowledge pave the way. Here's to you and to your success, we know you will give it your best." Theodore W. Higginsworth
Success
• "You are a piece of a great puzzle, and if you don't play your role, the puzzle will never be complete. Your piece is unique, just like you. I have trust in you, and I know you will be a leader first of all for yourself and also for humanity." Alain Bezeau
Words of Encouragement
• "Graduation is not only a time to celebrate your accomplishment but a time to look forward to what tomorrow brings. May all your tomorrows see you as happy as you are today." Catherine Pulsifer
Accomplishment
• "The world awaits all that you have to offer, keep achieving, keep accomplishing, but never forget to keep being the person you are today - kind, caring and compassionate." Catherine Pulsifer
Being Yourself
• "Use your achievement that we are celebrating tonight to launch yourselves … maybe into other education opportunities, personal goals or career job prospects. This is just the beginning. You have the guts and you have the dedication and you have the skill, obviously, to achieve what you achieved today." Francine St. Amand
Achievement
• "May the future be bright
Never stop shining your light
If I could just say
We are so proud of you this Graduation day!"
Catherine Pulsifer
Encouraging Poems
• "Offering our best wishes on your graduation and looking forward to what God has planned for your future." Byron Pulsifer
God
• "As seen by your achievement on this graduation, you hold the key to success. May your dedication and your attitude see doors open for the future you are dreaming of." Catherine Pulsifer
Dedication
• "There were days when I wondered if you would make it. But your determination and persistence paid off. You deserve a huge pat on the back. Well done and congratulations." Catherine Pulsifer
Determination
• "We are so proud of you as you graduate. You faced challenges and obstacles but each time you overcame them. May God's blessing be on your future plans." Catherine Pulsifer
Future
Sentimental Bridal Shower Wishes
Share your heartfelt sentiments with a message of love and congratulations. Use any combination of these for a bridal shower or bachelorette card message to let her know how happy and excited you are to celebrate with her.
• After the "Yes," before the "I do," happy shower to you!
• Congratulations on a wonderful partnership and the many happy years to come! I can’t wait to celebrate you on the big day!
• Happy shower. Happy couple. Happy wishes!
• Wishing you all the best on your wedding day and in the many blissful years to come.
• Just wanted to shower you with happy wishes!
• Love and blessings to you on this joyous day!
• May your marriage be filled with love, laughter and happiness!
• Cheers to many happy years!
• The best is yet to come! Cherish each moment along this journey.
• May your wedding day be as beautiful as you! Can’t wait to see you walk down the aisle.
Funny Bridal Shower Wishes
If you want to give the bride a laugh, share a funny moment or joke in your card. Just be sure the bride will appreciate the message and that it is appropriate for the setting. You don’t want to embarrass her in front of all her family and friends!
• Congratulations on finding the one person you want to annoy for the rest of your life!
• There has never been a happier occasion for me to buy a blender!
• You two are like Cholula and tacos; hot and perfect together!
• I can’t wait to watch you act surprised as you open the gifts from your pre-selected wedding registry.
• Not sure if I’m more jealous of the fact that you’re getting married, or of all the cool gifts you’re going to get. (Just kidding, it is definitely the gifts.)
Related Gift Guides & Inspiration
Advice for the Bride-to-Be
If you want to give the bride-to-be advice as she gets ready to start a new chapter of her life, use these ideas or offer wisdom from your own experiences!
• Success in marriage is the sum of small efforts focused on showing love and appreciation, repeated every day.
• Choose to love each other, even in the moments when you are struggling to like each other.
• In every disagreement in your marriage, remember that there is not a winner and a loser. You are partners in everything. It is you two working together to find the solution to a problem.
• The ingredients for a happy marriage are trust, patience and communication. Their combination creates a love that will last for years to come.
• It’s not about getting married, it’s about staying married. Take time to cultivate your love so it continues to blossom.
Bridal Shower Quotes
Sometimes the perfect words have already been said. These quotes are great for any bridal shower card message. Use them on their own, or combine them with another sentiment to wish the bride well.
• "The best thing in life to hold onto is each other." – Audrey Hepburn
• "A happy marriage is a long conversation which always seems too short." – André Maurios
• "Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years." – Simone Signoret
• "We love because it is the only true adventure." – Nikki Giovanni
• "Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies." – Aristotle
• "Before you marry a person you should make them use a computer with really slow Internet to see who they really are!" – Will Ferrell
• "You don’t love someone because they’re perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that they’re not." – Jodi Picoult
• "It’s amazing how one day someone walks into your life, and suddenly, you can’t remember how you lived without them." – Anurag Prakash Ray
• "A marriage is not a noun; it’s a verb. It isn’t something you get. It’s the way you love your partner every day." – Barbara De Angelis
• "And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make." – The Beatles
Choosing a Gift for Your Bridal Shower Greeting Card
If you're still shopping for the perfect bridal shower gift to go with your card, we can help with that too.
While registries are great to help the bride stock up on home essentials, sometimes they lack a personal touch (because let’s face it, towels aren’t exactly inspiring). If you’re looking to go off-registry, check out these bridal shower gift ideas.
Buy a Happy Bride Gift CardNo matter which bridal shower card sayings you use, the best message is one that is heartfelt and sincere. Having friends and family around to celebrate her love is the best gift of all, but a meaningful gift and a handwritten message are great ways to remind the bride how much you care.
Free Printable Gift Card Holders!
Download free gift card holders to complete the perfect gift
Pam Alexander, Processor (STC, 1997-Present)
We've known each other for 25 years and boy have we seen the changes over the years! You're always so friendly and willing to help out. It won't be the same without you here and without your perky phone answering skills. Needless to say whoever ends up being your replacement has some big shoes to fill in that department. It was a pleasure when my brother and I catered your wedding reception at your house when you and Petey got married. I know how much you loved and appreciated it and glad I was part of that special day! I wish you much happiness in your retirement and future volunteer work. May you and Petey have many more happy years together. You will certainly be missed. Don't be a stranger be sure and come by some time for a visit. Take care and love ya my friend!
Karen Snyder, Real Estate Paralegal (DHC, 1997-Present)
I love you, my dear friend! Congratulations on your retirement! The memories and the laughs we shared together are priceless. You are an amazing, kind person who I cherish. I wish you health and happiness in your retirement. Always your friend, Karen Snyder.
Pattie Robinson, Processor (STC, 1997-Present)
Jeri Harig, Litigation Paralegal (DHC, 1999-Present)
Congratulations on your retirement Emiline. We have known each other for 23 years and I am going to miss you. We have watched our kids grow up, ran into each other at Walmart with our mom’s in tow, did Music in the Park a couple of times and been through a lot of changes at DHC over the years. You made DHC shine to everyone you spoke to on the phone or met in the lobby that you truly loved doing your job with your positive attitude and dedication to DHC on a daily basis. Enjoy your retirement, you certainly deserve it.
D. “Rep” DeLoach III, Estate Planning and Board Certified Elder Law attorney (2001–present)<
Emiline, you will not be at our front desk anymore but you will always be in our hearts. Your positive attitude, your energy, your love for our clients and love for our law firm was a bright light to so many people. So many good times, good people, heartbreaking moments, deaths of loved ones and more. You always represented us well, always kept a smile. Judge Greer, in the darkest times of the Terry Schiavo case, would call us just to hear your voice. I always knew that whatever was going on in the outside world, our clients could count on you. You made an indelible mark on all of us, and we have been so fortunate to have you for all of these years. Thank you for being you.
Jennifer Rosenberg, Injury Law Paralegal (DHC, 2005-Present)
Emiline, you were the first person I met when I interviewed at the firm back in 2005. You were so kind to me when I was a nervous young woman in a new town. Your warmth and kindness truly represented the friendly, family-oriented organization you've served for so long. We are a better company for having you as the face and voice of the office, and you are truly irreplaceable. Enjoy your hard-earned retirement!
Jerry Gude, Former Office Administrator (DHC & STC 2005-2015)
Emiline: I am truly thankful for having known you and worked with you for the past 16 years. Through many "highs" and a couple of "lows", I felt we always had a special bond and respect for one another. I hope you and Petey enjoy your retirement years together and you have more special time with your grandchildren. I am sure the Firm will miss you as will most of the clients who you always met with a special greeting.
Tammy Dina, Estate Planning and Elder Law Paralegal (DHC, 2005-Present)
It is a sad day here for DeLoach Hofstra & Cavonis as we say goodbye to the face and voice of our law firm. She was the face that welcomed me on the day I came to interview here nearly 17 years ago and she has been the voice of compassion and reason during my time here since. She goes above and beyond for us each day to field a high level of calls and has a way to make all those walk-in’s feel the welcome that we promise on our sign. To say that Emiline is special is an understatement. She was truly like our office mom- and I will miss seeing her smiling face every day. Walking in the doors will never be the same again. Emiline- we will miss you dearly, but we wish you all the best! Go out there and enjoy your retirement and don’t forget to stop by and visit us (and possibly water our half-dead plants 😊). ~ Your friend, TTD
April Ellison, Probate Assistant (DHC, 2022-Present)
Congratulations on your retirement! Wishing you the best of health, happiness, and success on your new journey in life. Thank you for being a friend, and one of the hardest workers I know. You will be greatly missed! Enjoy retirement, Emiline.
Lorry Feldmeyer, Probate Paralegal (DHC, 2022-Present)
Emiline: Congratulations on your retirement! You will truly be missed by all.
Your smiling face and warm welcome to both co-workers and clients are unmatched. I will miss your smiling face each morning as I arrive at the office. I really don't think anyone can fill your shoes. You've made such a difference for so many people who have been touched by your beautiful soul. I'm so grateful to be one of them. I wish you all the best in your retirement. However, I hope we still see you once in a while for lunch or something. I hope you continue to think of me each year when you wear your snowflake pendant. All the best to you, my friend. Love always, Lorry
Gloria Centonze, Elder Care Coordinator (DHC, 2022-Present)
Dear Emiline, Somethings cannot be replaced and you are one of them. I know this isn’t good-bye but more like I’ll see you later. Morning greetings will not be the same, nor will the days that you fill with so much kindness and love you show everyone who walks through the doors of DeLoach Hofstra & Cavonis. Much Love, Gloria
Joe Murphy, Real Estate and Civil Litigation Attorney (DHC/STC, 2022-Present)
Emiline, You are truly one of a kind. Such a warm and thoughtful person who we are all better for having had the privilege to work with. The office will be a little less bright without you here but we wish you all the best with you future ministry efforts. As the saying goes "Faithful servants never retire. They may retire from their careers, but they never retire from serving the Lord."
Sue Traczyk, Assistant Financial Administrator, Private Family Trust (2012-Present)
Emiline, There are no words to tell you how much you will be missed. From all the walks we took. How we shared thoughts about our faith, how you shared and taught me so much. We shared about people we met along the way and how we helped them and they helped us. You are destined for something much bigger with Petty. I'm sure he has alot of ways to help him. You are a gem and it will be very hard to replace you. Your friend, Sue
Colette Moorefield, Private Family Trust (2015-Present)
Wishing you the best. It is yet to come.
Simone DeLoach, Director of Marketing (DHC & STC, 2022-Present)
Congratulations on your retirement, Emiline! Thank you for your fierce loyalty, unwavering dedication, and willingness to always roll up your sleeves for the good of all. We were so fortunate to have your lovely face and welcoming nature be the first thing anyone encountered when entering our offices. You are true blue and will be missed beyond measure. Please stop by the marketing offices often to "play in the dirt" where we rooted, grew, and strengthened not only our plants but also our wonderful friendship!
Kathy Carpenter, Realtor Liaison & Licensed Title Agent (STC, 2022-Present)
I am so happy for you, my friend. You made me feel welcome from day one. I so enjoyed having you as a Zumba partner. I am blessed to have worked with you and I hope you keep in touch with us! You are always welcome here and you can answer the phones when you visit if you want to-lol. Wishing you much happiness ahead. Love you and I will miss you.
Ashleigh Fisichella, Marketing Coordinator (DHC, 2022-Present)
Where to start...Emiline you are truly one of a kind, you are always thinking of how you can help everyone and put everyone at the office first. You are a true gem! I am so happy that I have gotten to experience working with someone who is so dedicated to not only the business but to the people you work with. I will truly miss you and wish you all the best! Anyone you take care of is lucky to have you!
Christine O'Neil, Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorney (DHC, 2022-2022)
Sharon Touchton, Paralegal (DHC, 2022-Present)
Congratulations Emiline, I hope retirement means spending time doing the things you love, such as gardening. I will miss getting my fresh flowers each week but will smile each Monday thinking of you tending to your garden. I am going to miss you.
Best King, Estate Planning and Elder Law Paralegal (DHC, 2022-Present)
Congratulations, Emiline! You have always been such an integral part of the law firm and I'm so sad to see you go but also so happy for you on your retirement! Your professionalism and grace are unmatched. We are all going to miss you and your bubbly, bright personality! Best wishes on a beautiful retirement!
Jerry Kleber, Cheif Operating Officer (DHC, 2022-Present)
Emiline, I am so happy for you and grateful for the endless number of times you took the front-line defense in screening phone calls; helped me on countless numbers of projects; and being one of my dear friends and colleague. I wish you and PD all the best with your new ministry in serving others, just like you have for all of us, our clients, customers and friends of DeLoach, Hofstra & Cavonis and Seminole Title Company. Your beautiful smile and love in your heart does make a difference in everyone you meet. Well done, you good and faithful servant.
Becky Brandt, Probate Paralegal (DHC, 2022-Present)
Congratulations on your retirement, Emiline!! I am going to miss seeing your smiling face each morning and the family updates!! If I know you, I'm sure that you will be just as busy (if not more) in retirement and I hope you enjoy every second of it! Your energy and cheer will be greatly missed, but I wish you all the joy in the world because you deserve it!
Carissa McGee, Processor (STC, 2022-Present)
Congratulations on your retirement Emiline! It has been a pleasure knowing you as a friend and colleague over the years. Your flowers in the restrooms always make me smile. You always have such a positive attitude and a helpful spirit. I hope your retirement is as fabulous as you are! You will be missed so much.
Becky deMaCarty, Trust Administration (DHC, 2022-Present)
Mary Hinton, Probate Paralegal (DHC, 2022-Present)
Enjoy retirement, Emiline! Your warm smile and laugh will be missed beyond words. I'm so grateful that I got to know you and appreciate the kindness you showed to me during my difficult transition to DHC. It really mattered and softened the hard days. Wishing you every good thing in life as you begin the next chapter.
Alexa Kunzig, Licensed Title Agent & Closer (STC, 2022-Present)
Emiline, Congratulations on, not your retirement, but a new journey! It is so wonderful that you get to leave a job you love and move on to something that I'm sure you will love just as much, if not more! You will be missed dearly as you have touched so many of us here at the office. I will never forget the kind words you shared with me through one of the most difficult times I've had in my life. You did not even know me then as I was a brand new employee here at the office, but that didn't matter to you, you were so sympathetic and I will be forever grateful. Your love knows no bounds and you bring light everywhere you go! I can't think of anyone better to take on this new role you are assuming - you will bring your patients love and light as well! I am so happy for you and everyone who gets to enjoy your presence next!
Michael Cavonis, Law Clerk (DHC, 2022-Present)
A story you've told me that has stuck is that one of your first office functions was a baby shower for my mother while she was pregnant with me. That story highlights how much I associate the office with you, and how strange it will feel having you gone. I have always appreciated how welcoming you have made me feel and I am sure many other employees and clients would say the same. I greatly appreciate all of our conversations about our faith which I can see exudes through you daily. I know you will stay very busy with your volunteer work, but you deserve some restful moments if you will allow yourself some. You will be sorely missed, but I am very happy you will get to work with Pete and pursue a new calling.
Chantal Guilbault, Business Office Administrative Assistant (DHC, 2022-Present)
Congratulations Emiline!!!!! I hope you enjoy retirement and find joy with your family and with all your projects. I will always be grateful for your kindness and support when I started working here after being off the workforce for so long and with all that I had been through. We will definitely miss you, please don't be a stranger. Big hugs, Chantal
Robert Case, Office Runner (DHC, 2022-Present)
I will miss you George. Love, Ralph
Emily Poole, Licensed Title Agent & Closer (STC, 2022-Present)
Thank you for always being a bright spot in the day! You were a friendly face from the day I started, and I always appreciate how much you help us out!
Amy Hernandez, Public Benefits Coordinator (DHC, 2022-Present)
Congratulations on your retirement, Emiline! Thank you for your constant positivity and encouragement in all that you've shown me. I will miss the flowers throughout the office, and our little getaways for lunch, you are truly one of a kind. I hope all the best for you in all that you do, you will be greatly missed my friend.
Margaux Herodet, Real Estate Legal Assistant (DHC, 2022-Present)
Although I haven’t had the pleasure of knowing Emiline as long as most, in this short time I’ve learned that Emiline has a heart of gold. Emiline is kind, giving, smart; she’s the first one who will go out of her way to make sure that everything and everyone is good to go, with her contagious smile and pleasant voice. Emiline is not just a receptionist, she is essentially our “mom” of our family here at DeLoach, Hofstra & Cavonis. I believe she is the reason most of our clients have gravitated towards our firm; when clients call our office for the first time and hear her friendly voice, one can tell she’s smiling as she speaks with them and is truly sincere. This woman does it all, from being the face of DHC, being a mother and grandmother, and helping the woman at her church – Emiline does, truly, have a heart of gold. Happy Retirement Emiline! I wish you nothing but happiness and good health in your next chapter. And, most importantly, have fun!
Maggie Cavonis, Assistant Financial Administrator, Private Family Trust (STC, 2022-Present)
A big congratulations to you on your retirement! For years you have been the smiling face that has greeted every person who walked through those doors. You brought so much cheer to that office and the light of Christ has shown through you every single day. I am thankful for all your kindness and the scripture you imparted to us. Both Michael and I are sad to see you go, but we know the impact you will have on the residents of the retirement homes will be immeasurable.
Lena Trehy, Processor (STC, 2022-Present)
Congratulations on your retirement, Emiline! I am so excited for you to start this new chapter in your life, but I will miss seeing your smiling face everyday. In a short amount of time we have become like family and I am so thankful for that! I will always remember our time at the front desk together with a smile, because you made it truly wonderful!
Casandra Pyle-Batcho, Processor (STC, 2022-Present)
Happy retirement and congratulations! It's been a pleasure to work with you and I wish you all the best with all the good things to come. Your little vase of flowers always put a smile on my face.
Devan Farrell, Receptionist (STC, 2022-Present)
Congrats on your retirement Emiline! Although I have not known you long, I am very blessed to have worked alongside you these past few months. I will truly miss you!
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