Your best friend is getting married, and you want to write her something that doesn’t sound like a Hallmark card threw up on paper. Here are five letter templates that strike the right balance between sentimental and real—because she deserves words that actually matter.
1. The Childhood Best Friend Letter
“Dear [Name],
I’ve been thinking about all the moments that led us here, from sleepovers where we stayed up too late talking about boys we’d never have the courage to speak to, to now watching you marry someone who actually gets your weird sense of humor. It’s wild how we went from practicing kissing on our hands to me helping you pick out lingerie for your honeymoon. Time is a trip.
You’ve always been the brave one between us. When we were kids, you were the one who’d talk to the new kid at school, who’d stand up to bullies, who’d try the scary slide first. Now you’re being brave in the biggest way possible—choosing to build a life with someone, to be vulnerable every single day, to say “yes” to forever. I’m so proud of you for that courage.
I know marriage isn’t going to be all sunset walks and perfectly coordinated Instagram posts. There will be days when he leaves dishes in the sink and you want to throw them at his head, or when you’re both too tired to be kind to each other. But if anyone can handle the real stuff—the messy, unglamorous, beautiful reality of sharing a life—it’s you two.
Thank you for letting me stand beside you today. For trusting me with this role, for keeping me in your corner all these years, for being the kind of friend who makes life infinitely better just by existing in it.
All my love,
[Your Name]”
2. The College Roommate Letter
“Dear [Name],
College was where I really got to know you, not just as a friend but as a person figuring out who she wanted to become. I watched you stress over exams, cry over boys who weren’t worth your tears, and slowly grow into this incredible woman who knows exactly what she wants. [Groom’s name] is lucky you figured that out, because what you want is pretty spectacular.
Do you remember that night junior year when we stayed up until 4 AM talking about what we wanted our lives to look like? You said you wanted someone who would laugh at your jokes, support your dreams, and still think you were beautiful when you had the flu. I’m pretty sure you nailed that list.
I’ve watched your relationship with [Groom’s name] from the beginning, and what strikes me most is how comfortable you are together. Not comfortable like “settling,” but comfortable like home. Like you can be completely yourself—messy hair, weird laugh, strong opinions about pizza toppings and all—and he’s just happy to be there for it.
Marriage is going to be different from dating, but if anyone’s ready for it, it’s you. You’ve never been afraid of hard work, whether it was pulling all-nighters for finals or building the career you wanted. Now you get to put that same energy into building something beautiful with your person.
I love you, I’m proud of you, and I promise to always remind you of the ridiculous things you did in college whenever you get too fancy.
All my love,
[Your Name]”
3. The Sister/Sister-in-Law Letter
“Dear [Name],
Being your sister has meant getting a front-row seat to watching you become who you are. I’ve seen you through awkward phases, heartbreaks, victories, and that terrible haircut from sophomore year that we agreed never to mention again. Through all of it, you’ve had this incredible ability to stay true to yourself while still growing and changing.
[Groom’s name] gets that about you. I love watching you two together because he doesn’t try to change you or complete you—he just appreciates who you already are and wants to build something amazing alongside you. That’s rare, and it’s exactly what you deserve.
I know I haven’t always been the easiest sister. We’ve had our moments of driving each other absolutely crazy, competing over stupid things, and probably saying words we didn’t mean. But through all of that, you’ve been steady. You’ve been the one I could count on, the one who’d tell me the truth even when I didn’t want to hear it.
Now you’re starting your own family, and I couldn’t be happier for you. I know you’re going to bring the same love, loyalty, and stubbornness (in the best way) to your marriage that you’ve always brought to our family. [Groom’s name] has no idea how lucky he is, but I think he’s starting to figure it out.
Thank you for being the best sister, friend, and example of what it looks like to love people well.
All my love,
[Your Name]”
4. The Work Friend/Adult Friendship Letter
“Dear [Name],
Adult friendships hit different, don’t they? We chose each other without the convenience of shared classes or family obligations. We became friends because we genuinely liked spending time together, even when that time was mostly complaining about work deadlines and terrible first dates over happy hour drinks.
I’ve watched you navigate your twenties and thirties with grace, humor, and only occasional breakdowns in restaurant bathrooms. You’ve figured out what you want professionally, personally, and romantically, and you’ve never settled for less than you deserved. That’s why seeing you with [Groom’s name] makes so much sense—he’s not a compromise or a “good enough.” He’s exactly what you were holding out for.
What I love most about your relationship is how it enhances who you already are instead of changing you. You’re still the same person who texts me random thoughts at 2 PM and has strong opinions about office coffee, but you’re also happier, more settled, more yourself than I’ve ever seen you.
Marriage is going to be an adventure, and knowing you, you’ll approach it the same way you approach everything else—with intelligence, humor, and the occasional perfectly timed eye roll. [Groom’s name] better be ready for the ride.
I’m so grateful our paths crossed when they did, and I’m honored to be here celebrating this incredible milestone with you. Here’s to friendship, love, and the beautiful mess of building a life with someone who gets it.
All my love,
[Your Name]”
5. The New Friend/Recent Connection Letter
“Dear [Name],
Even though our friendship is newer, I feel like I’ve gotten to know the real you pretty quickly. Maybe it’s because we met as adults, or maybe it’s just because you’re the kind of person who’s authentically herself from day one. Either way, I feel lucky to be in your circle.
In the time I’ve known you, I’ve watched you and [Groom’s name] together, and what strikes me is how natural you are with each other.
There’s no pretending, no trying to be someone you’re not—just two people who genuinely enjoy each other’s company and want to build something together. That foundation is going to serve you well.
I may not have years of shared history with you, but I have something else: I get to see you with fresh eyes, without the lens of who you used to be or how you’ve changed.
What I see is someone who’s kind, funny, thoughtful, and ready for this next chapter. Someone who knows herself well enough to choose a partner who complements rather than completes her.
Thank you for including me in this special day and for letting me be part of your story, even if I came in partway through. I’m excited to see how this new chapter unfolds and grateful to have a front-row seat to your happiness.
Here’s to new friendships, lasting love, and the beautiful unpredictability of life bringing the right people together at exactly the right time.
All my love,
[Your Name]”
How to Write Your Own Bridesmaid Letter
Start with your specific relationship. What makes your friendship unique? Lead with a memory, inside joke, or observation that only you could make about her.
Skip the generic “you’re such a good friend” opening—she already knows you think that, or you wouldn’t be standing next to her.
Focus on what you’ve observed about her relationship, not just her as a person. What do you love about how they are together? What have you noticed about how he treats her or how she’s grown since they’ve been together? Be specific rather than general.
Include one piece of honest wisdom or encouragement about marriage, but make it real. Don’t lecture her about communication and compromise—she’s heard all that. Instead, share something you’ve learned or observed that feels true and useful.
End with gratitude, but make it personal. Thank her for something specific to your friendship, not just for including you in the wedding.
What has she brought to your life? How has she influenced you? What do you want her to know before she becomes a wife?
Keep it between 200-300 words. Long enough to be meaningful, short enough that she can read it without crying off all her makeup.
And remember—the best letters sound like you, not like a greeting card. Write like you talk, love like you mean it, and trust that your genuine feelings are exactly what she needs to hear.