What is a good Bible verse for a wedding card?

Colossians 3:14, “And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.”, or Ecclesiastes 4:12, which ends “a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Add a line or two of your own blessing for the couple.

Where does “a cord of three strands” come from?

Ecclesiastes 4:12. The passage, Ecclesiastes 4:9–12, is about the value of companions in general. At weddings many couples take the third strand to mean God.

Is Ruth 1:16 about marriage?

Ruth said it to Naomi, her mother-in-law, after both their husbands had died. Ruth 1:16–17 is still read at some weddings as a picture of lifelong commitment.

What is the most common Bible reading at weddings?

1 Corinthians 13, the “love chapter,” is one of the most familiar. Genesis 2:24 and Matthew 19:6 are also common. The couple usually chooses the readings with their pastor or priest.

Wedding Bible Verses for Cards: 12 Verses About Marriage

A wedding card is a small blessing for the couple. Below are twelve verses from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), grouped by theme, with a note on where each comes from. 1 Corinthians 13:4–7, “Love is patient,” has its own page: 1 Corinthians 13 in full.

Becoming one

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24, BSB)

The Bible’s first words about marriage, right after God makes the woman. Jesus quotes this verse in Matthew 19:5.

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate. (Matthew 19:6, BSB)

Jesus says this while answering a question about divorce. The parallel passage, Mark 10:6–9, is one of the Gospel readings listed in Episcopal marriage rites.

Two together

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up! (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10, BSB)

And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12, BSB)

This passage is about companions in general, not only husbands and wives. Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 appears among the readings in Episcopal marriage rites, and many couples take the third strand to mean God.

wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. (Ruth 1:16, excerpt, BSB)

Ruth said this to Naomi, her mother-in-law. If you write it in a wedding card, it helps to know it was first a promise between two widows.

Set me as a seal over your heart, as a seal upon your arm. (Song of Songs 8:6, excerpt, BSB)

Mighty waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. (Song of Songs 8:7, excerpt, BSB)

Song of Songs is a book of love poems. Song of Songs 8:6–7 is one of the Old Testament readings listed for weddings.

Love in married life

And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity. (Colossians 3:14, BSB)

The end of a list of virtues to “put on.” Colossians 3:12–17 is another listed wedding reading.

Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8, BSB)

Peter wrote this to churches, but it is practical for any marriage.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another. (Romans 12:10, BSB)

We love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19, BSB)

Do everything in love. (1 Corinthians 16:14, BSB)

Four words. It fits on a small card or a gift tag.

What to write in a wedding card

“Congratulations, Sarah and James! And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity. (Colossians 3:14) We are praying for your marriage.”
“Do everything in love. (1 Corinthians 16:14) So happy for you both. Welcome to the family.”
“Ecclesiastes 4:12 says “a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” May Christ hold you together for many years.”

Open with both names and a congratulation.
Write one verse with the reference underneath. If you use part of a verse, add “excerpt” after the reference.
Add one or two lines of blessing, or a memory of the couple.

Write the verse once on scrap paper first, especially on a card with a printed design, so you know how much space you have. The readings for the ceremony itself are usually chosen by the couple with their pastor or priest, and the custom differs from church to church.

More card verses: Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Practice on a printable page

The free Love Is Patient copywork page has 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 in the BSB, with one line to trace and one to write. It comes in US Letter and A4. Some couples write it out together after the wedding.

Or write it in the app

Penned Grace lets you write scripture by hand, letter by letter, on iPhone, iPad or Android, with your finger or Apple Pencil. It is free to download.