Mazel Tov
• English Version: Mazel Tov!
• Hebrew Version: "!מזל טוב"
"Mazel Tov" is the Hebrew version of "congratulations" (although the literal translation is "good luck"). It is by far the most common blessing in Jewish weddings. You’ll hear it, say it and use it everywhere…
• Guests congratulate the couple and their family with "Mazel Tov" as they enter the Kabbalat Panim (the reception area).
• You’ll likely write "Mazel Tov" at least once in your wedding card
• When the groom breaks the glass after the seven blessings, the crowd cheers "Mazel Tov".
When in doubt, say Mazel Tov!
May today’s joy continue to fill your life forever!
• English Version: May today’s joy continue to fill your life forever!
• Hebrew Version: שהאושר ימשיך למלא את חייכם לעד
Mazel Tov on your wedding day
• English Version: Mazel Tov on your wedding day
• Hebrew Version: מזל טוב לרגל חתונתכם
May you build a loyal home in Israel
• English Version: May you build a loyal home in Israel
• Hebrew Version: שתזכו להקים בית נאמן בישראל
May you build a Kosher and loving home
• English Version: May you build a Kosher and loving home
• Hebrew Version: שתזכו להקים בית כשר ואוהב
Bracha & Hatslacha!
• English Version: Bracha & Hatslacha! (Hebrew for "blessing and success".)
• Hebrew Version: !ברכה והצלחה
L’Chaim!
• English Version: L’Chaim! (Hebrew for "To life")
• Hebrew Version: !לחיים
L’Chaim is chanted after every toast. And my oh my, are there plenty of toasts in Jewish weddings.
Jews are particularly fond of wine (don’t worry, we don’t discriminate against the other members of the alcohol family).
It is considered a Mitzvah (a commandment from the Torah) to bring joy to the bride and groom. And last time I "checked", wine is a wonderful way to bring joy to the bride and groom (just don’t do anything foolish, yes?).
To quote King David:
Tip: If you’re the one giving the toast, just remember to conclude the blessing with "L’Chaim" (now’s the time to start practicing your "Cchh").
L’Chaim Tovim U’le Shalom
• English Version: L’Chaim Tovim U’le Shalom (Hebrew for "Good life and peace")
• Hebrew Version: לחיים טובים ולשלום
May you fulfill all your dreams together!
• English Version: May you fulfill all your dreams together!
• Hebrew Version: !שתגשימו יחד את כל החלומות
Bracha, Parnasa & Hatzlacha
• English Version: Bracha, Parnasa & Hatzlacha (Hebrew for "blessing, wealth and success")
• Hebrew Version: ברכה, פרנסה, והצלחה
Wishing you lots of Nachat/Naches
• English Version: Wishing you lots of Nachat/Naches
• Hebrew Version: מאחלת לכם הרבה נחת
May God grant you all your wishes!
• English Version: May God grant you all your wishes!
• Hebrew Version: שה’ ימלא כל משאלות לבכם
May your lives be filled with love, joy, and laughter, BH
• English Version: May your lives be filled with love, joy, and laughter, BH
• Hebrew Version: !'שחייכם יהיו מלאים באהבה, שמחה, וצחוק, בעזרת ה
May you be blessed, always!
• English Version: May you be blessed, always!
• Hebrew Version: !תבורכו תמיד
May your marriage be blessed with a lifetime of love and happiness
• English Version: May your marriage be blessed with a lifetime of love and happiness
• Hebrew Version: מאחלת לכם נישואין מלאים באהבה ושמחה
May God fill your home with love and happiness
• English Version: May God fill your home with love and happiness
• Hebrew Version: שה’ ימלא את ביתכם באושר ואהבה
May God bless you and shine a bright light in your home
• English Version: May God bless you and shine a bright light in your home
• Hebrew Version: שה’ יברך אתכם וישרה אור בביתכם
May God bless you with a lifetime of love, peace, and joy
• English Version: May God bless you with a lifetime of love, peace, and joy
• Hebrew Version: שה’ יברך אתכם בחיים מלאים באהבה, שלווה ושמחה
Here’s to a long and happy marriage, L’Chaim!
• English Version: Here’s to a long and happy marriage, L’Chaim!
• Hebrew Version: !לחיי נישואין ארוכים ושמחים, לחיים
Jewish Wedding Quotes & Sayings
The Jewish tradition is full of beautiful quotes, sayings, and phrases about marriage and love. I could easily fill an entire book just with quotes (maybe one day)…
"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine."
• English Version: "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine." – Song of Songs 6:3
• Hebrew Version: "אֲנִי לְדוֹדִי וְדוֹדִי לִי"
King Solomon’s famous verse from Song of Songs is by far the most common quote in Jewish weddings. You’ll see it featured anywhere from Jewish wedding invitations, modern Ketubahs, and of course – on Jewish wedding cards.
"I have found the one whom my soul loves"
• English Version: "I have found the one whom my soul loves" – Song of Songs 3:4
• Hebrew Version: "מָּצָ֔אתִי אֵ֥ת שֶׁאָהֲבָ֖ה נַפְשִׁ֑י"
"Kol Sasson V’Kol Simcha, Kol Chatan V’Kol Kala"
• English Version: "Kol Sasson V’Kol Simcha, Kol Chatan V’Kol Kala"
• Hebrew Version: “קוֹל שָׂשׂוֹן וְקוֹל שִׂמְחָה קוֹל חָתָן וְקוֹל כַּלָּה"
This blessing is recited (and chanted) at the seven blessings ceremony. The blessing is concluded with the groom breaking the glass, which marks the end of the Jewish wedding ceremony, and the beginning of the wedding reception.
"He who is mightier than all; He who is blessed above all; He who is greater than all; He who is distinguished beyond all; He should bless the groom and the bride."
• English Version: "He who is mightier than all; He who is blessed above all; He who is greater than all; He who is distinguished beyond all; He should bless the groom and the bride." – Mi Adir
• Hebrew Version: “מי אדיר על הכל, מי ברוך על הכל, מי גדול על הכל, מי דגול על הכל, הוא יברך את החתן ואת הכלה”
This quote comes from the "Mi Adir", a song commonly chanted in Ashkenazi weddings.
"He Who understands the speech of the rose of thorns, the affection of lovers, the joy of the beloved, may He bless the bridegroom and the bride.”
• English Version: "He Who understands the speech of the rose of thorns, the affection of lovers, the joy of the beloved, may He bless the bridegroom and the bride." – Mi Adir
• Hebrew Version: “מי בָן שיח שושן חוחים, אהבת כלה משוש דודים, הוא יברך את החתן ואת הכלה”.
"A husband and wife are one soul, separated only through their descent to this world. When they are married, they are reunited again"
• English Version: "A husband and wife are one soul, separated only through their descent to this world. When they are married, they are reunited again" – Zohar
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and cling to his wife and they shall become one flesh."
• English Version: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and cling to his wife and they shall become one flesh." – Genesis 2:24
• Hebrew Version: "עַל-כֵּן, יַעֲזָב-אִישׁ, אֶת-אָבִיו, וְאֶת-אִמּוֹ; וְדָבַק בְּאִשְׁתּוֹ, וְהָיוּ לְבָשָׂר אֶחָד"
This quote describes the connection formed between Adam and Eve, another great symbol of two souls uniting into one.
Enjoy life with the woman you love"
• English Version: "Enjoy life with the woman you love" – King Solomon, Ecclesiastes 9:9
• Hebrew Version: "רְאֵה חַיִּים עִם-אִשָּׁה אֲשֶׁר-אָהַבְתָּ"
As you can see, King Solomon has lots to say about love and marriage. This quote is another classic.
"A person should always be careful about the honor of his wife, for blessing is found in a person’s home only due to his wife"
• English Version: "A person should always be careful about the honor of his wife, for blessing is found in a person’s home only due to his wife" – Talmud, Bava Metzia 59a 1
• Hebrew Version: לעולם יהא אדם זהיר בכבוד אשתו שאין ברכה מצויה בתוך ביתו של אדם אלא בשביל אשתו” – תלמוד, בבא מציעא נט’ א
The Talmud is full of quotes stressing the importance of loving, caring, and respecting your spouse.
"A person should always eat and drink less than what is within his means, and he should dress and cover himself in accordance with his means, and he should honor his wife and children more than what is within his means; as they are dependent on him and he is dependent on the One Who spoke and the world was created."
• English Version: "A person should always eat and drink less than what is within his means, and he should dress and cover himself in accordance with his means, and he should honor his wife and children more than what is within his means; as they are dependent on him and he is dependent on the One Who spoke and the world was created." – Talmud Chullin 84b
• Hebrew Version: "לעולם יאכל אדם וישתה פחות ממה שיש לו וילבש ויתכסה במה שיש לו ויכבד אשתו ובניו יותר ממה שיש לו שהן תלויין בו והוא תלוי במי שאמר והיה העולם"
Another great quote from the Talmud. Plus, it gives us another great reminder to stay off the snacks :).
Popular Wedding Wishes
Just because it’s a Jewish wedding doesn’t mean you have to stick to Jewish blessings. What works in other weddings works just as well in Jewish weddings (unless it’s a blessing that involves another religion, of course).
In fact, I strongly recommend combining the best of both worlds! That way, you can knock it out of the park with a blessing that is truly one of a kind!
Here are some of the most popular wedding wishes and blessings…
• May you accomplish all your dreams together!
• May the years ahead be filled with lasting joy!
• Today you begin a new chapter in your life.
• Wishing you joy, love, and happiness on your wedding day
• Wishing you a fun, exciting, and peaceful life as you embark on your journey together.
• May you fulfill all your dreams together!
• May your love grow stronger and stronger every year
• May today mark the beginning of a long, happy, and fulfilling life
• May today’s joy continue to fill your life forever!
• We’re so excited to celebrate this wonderful day with you as your guest
• I wish you two a lifetime of joy, success, and fulfillment together as a happy couple
• Hugs and kisses
• Best wishes
Funny Wedding Wishes
Are you good friends with the couple? Are you known for your witty jokes? Are you willing to go above and beyond to put a smile on people’s faces?
Well, you better be… because the following wishes can either make you:
• Stand out from the crowd
• Stand outside in the rain
Warning: Some married couples will find these wishes hilarious; others will find them obnoxious. Before you put these wishes on your wedding card – make sure you have a close relationship with the couple, and that they can take a joke. In other words: Know your audience (and don’t come crying to me if your blessing backfires!).
• Who needs Netflix, when you’ve got Comedy, Drama, Action, and Thriller all in one marriage?
• Listen to Me… Listen to Her!
• So excited to get wasted on your wedding day!
• Thanks for all the free snacks!
• Congratulations on your transition from "madly in love" to "just mad".
• Did you hear that the divorce rate was 50%? So, heads or tails?
• From now on, guys night out = "Honey, take out the trash"
• It’s been nice knowing you…
• Congratulations, you’re married! (My condolences)
• Wishing you a long life together, Romeo and Juliet!
Jewish Wedding Card Message Examples
OK, you found a bunch of great Jewish wedding blessings and greetings… now what? How do we translate that into a beautifully-written wedding card?
In this section, I’ll give you a bunch of wedding card examples and templates you can use as inspiration.
Important: You’re welcome to copy, borrow, or steal any of these blessings. But don’t be lazy and copy it word for word. Customize it a bit, change it to match your tone, sprinkle some of your unique fairy dust…
You don’t want the bride and groom to find out you "cheated", now do you?
The Traditional Blessing
"I have found the one whom my soul loves" – Song of Songs 3:4
Mazel Tov on your wedding!
May today’s joy continue to fill your life forever!
May God bless you with love, joy, and laughter, BH. May your love grow stronger and stronger every year!
I wish you Bracha, Parnasa & Hatslacha together.
May you build a Kosher and loving home.
Wishing you a long and happy marriage.
L’Chaim!
The Hebrew Blessing
"מָּצָ֔אתִי אֵ֥ת שֶׁאָהֲבָ֖ה נַפְשִׁ֑י"
!מזל טוב לרגל חתונתכם
שהאושר ימשיך למלא את חייכם לעד.
!שה’ ימלא את ביתכם באושר ואהבה. שאהבה שלכם תגדל כל שנה, אמן
ברכה, פרנסה, והצלחה בכל אשר תעשו.
שתזכו להקים בית כשר ונאמן בישראל, בעזרת ה'.
!לחיי נישואין ארוכים ושמחים… לחיים
The Funny Blessing
Congratulations on your wedding day! (dude, my condolences)
Oh, and you probably don’t need Netflix anymore… Now that you’ve got Comedy, Drama, Action, and Thriller in your own marriage.
Anyway, congratulations on your transition from "madly in love" to "just mad".
It’s been nice knowing you… From now on, guys night out = you taking out the trash.
Mazel Tov!
Conclusion
Congratulations! With these Jewish wedding wishes in your toolkit, you’re now ready to unleash the most beautiful stream of blessings ever known to mankind!
Whether you’re looking to congratulate the bride and groom with a thoughtful blessing, give a funny toast at the wedding ceremony, or write a personal Jewish wedding card.
Notice how I highlighted the "personal" part?
That’s because no matter how many blessings I present to you, nothing beats a warm, heartfelt blessing that comes from you.
A Jewish wedding card with a bunch of copied & pasted blessings will only get you so far. If you want to give your card that extra "oomph", inject some of that special personality of yours into the blessing.
Besides, you know the bride and groom much better than I do (I wasn’t even invited! 😡)
Remember:
So steal away (but don’t copy!).
Mazel Tov 🙂
Traditional Irish Language Wedding Toasts
• Sláinte chuig na fir, agus go mairfidh na mná go deo. [pronunciation: slawn-cha kwig nah fur, og-us guh mar-fig nah mnaw guh joe] (Health to the men and may the women live forever!)
• Mo sheacht mbeannacht ort! [pronunciation: Muh shocked bannocked urt!] (My seven blessings on you!)
• Go maire tú! [pronunciation: Guh morra too!] (May you live long!)
• Go dté tú an céad! [pronunciation: Guh day too un cay-ad!] (May you live to be 100!)
• Beannacht Dé leat! [pronunciation: Bannocked day lat!] (God’s blessing on you)
• Go n-éirí an bóthar leat! [pronunciation: Guh nye-ree un bow-her lat!] (May your journey be successful)
Traditional Irish Language Wedding Vows
• Tha mise (spouse’s name) a-nis ‘gad ghabhail-sa (spouse’s name) gu bhith ‘nam chéile phòsda. [pronunciation: Tha misha [spouse’s name] a-nish gad gowell-suh [spouse’s name] guh vih num kayla pohs-dah. (I, [spouse’s name] now take you [spouse’s name] to be my husband/wife.)
• Ann am fianais Dhé ‘s na tha seo de fhianaisean tha mise a’ gealltainn a bhith ‘nam fhear pòsda/bean chéile dìleas gràdhach agus tairis dhuitsa, cho fad’s a bhios an dìthis againn beò. [pronunciation: Ow-ann ow-am fee-un-ish day snah tha shuh deh fiann-ashion tha misha a-gyall-tin a vih num far pohs-dah/ban kayla deel-us grawd-hock og-us tar-ish goo-it-suh, ko fad’s a vee-us un dee-hish ag-win bee-oh.] (In the presence of God and before these witnesses, I promise to be a loving, faithful and loyal husband/wife to you, for as long as we both shall live.)
Traditional Irish Wedding Blessings (see printables for the full text!)
• May God be with you and bless you, may you see your children's children...
• May the wind be always at your back, may the warm rays of sun fall upon your home...
• May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home...
• May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace...
• Love, life and happiness, may your troubles be few and your blessings many...
• May your troubles be less, and your blessings be more...
• May you feel no rain, for each of you will be a shelter to the other...
• May the meaning of this hour be fulfilled through the days and years to come...
• Merry met, and merry part, I drink to thee with all my heart...
Ceremony Readings by Famous Irish Poets (see printables for the full text!)
• Scaffolding by Seamus Heaney
• He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven by W. B. Yeats
• A Poet to his Beloved by W.B. Yeats
• Her Praise by W.B Yeats
• The Indian to His Love by W.B. Yeats
• Lines Written for a Thirtieth Wedding Anniversary by Eavan Boland
• Oh, Call it By Some Better Name by Thomas Moore
• We Are Made One with What We Touch and See by Oscar Wilde
• Her Voice by Oscar Wilde
Traditional Irish Language Wedding One-Liners
• Céad míle fáilte romhat (Welcome, everyone!)
• Sláinte! (Cheers!)
• Grá mo chroí (Love of my heart)
• Tri na haoiseanna, thar am, mo ghrá (Throughout the ages, beyond time, my love)
• Grá go deo (Love Forever)
• Grá, dílseacht, cairdeas (Love, Loyalty, Friendship)
• Cuisle mo chroí, amhrán m'anama, solas mo oíche (Pulse of my heart, song of my soul, light of my life)
• Anam cara (Soul mate)
• Maireann croí éadrom i bhfad (A light heart lives long)
• Ní neart go cur le chéile (There’s no strength without unity)
• Le mo ghrása mise, agus liomsa mo ghrá (I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine)
• Is tú mo rogha (You are my chosen one)
• Tá mo chroí istigh ionat (My heart is within you)
• Mo mhíle stór (My darling)