The moment you enter your wedding venue and walk down the aisle, your life is fundamentally different. It can get overwhelming really quickly, so it is a good idea to reflect on your journey and the people who have been important figures in your life—including your grandparents.
Not all of us are fortunate enough to grow up with our grandparents. For those of us who are, we remember them for their tight hugs, homemade meals, tasty snacks, and snuck pocket money. They make our homes warmer, livelier, and better places.
Writing a letter to your grandparents on your wedding day is a fantastic way of showing them your love, appreciation, and gratitude. The examples below can give you an idea of and a guide for coming up with your own letter.
Letter to Grandparents on Wedding Day: Heartfelt Examples
1. Dear Grandma and Grandpa,
Let me be straight to the point: You are two of the most important people in my life. I have no clue where I would be without your wise advice, untiring guidance, and unconditional love. And your mouthwatering pierogi.
You are my role models. You are full of wisdom and kindness, and your love for each other has an enviable strength and endurance. I will, without a doubt, rely on your practicality and sageness while I navigate the maze that is married life.
Even though I am anxious, I don’t feel as lost or clueless because of the values you have instilled in me. You are living proof of how commitment, kindness, and patience can really make a relationship resilient and long-lasting.
Things will change today. My life will be fundamentally different from this day forward. No one knows what’s in store. It’s scary, but it’s also partly what makes it thrilling, too. At the end of the day, you can always rely on one thing: I will always be your skarbie.
Thank you for being such incredible grandparents. I love you both more than words can ever express, and I thank God every day for the blessings that are my loving Grandma and Grandpa.
With all my love,
Kayleigh
2. Dearest Mawmaw and Pawpaw,
Today’s my wedding day. Growing up, I always envisioned both of you walking me down the aisle while a string quartet played music in the background. Mawmaw would have given me something old, while Pawpaw would have given me something borrowed.
While you’re not here anymore to hold my hands, my husband-to-be and I splurged on live musicians in your honor. I know that while the notes of Vivaldi’s ‘Spring’ permeate the church, I will feel your presence in my heart.
Since childhood, you two have been my inspiration. You were so kind and generous, always giving us treats, cooking delicious food for us, and enveloping us in the tightest hugs that always made us feel safe. Honestly, you were the glue holding the entire family together.
As my husband-to-be and I grow old together, I wish to be even just half of how brilliant, compassionate, and loving you both are. I wish to emulate the unconditional and unending love you had for yourself, for each other, and for the world.
Thank you so much, Mawmaw and Pawpaw. I know you’re watching us from above, oohing and ahhing at the beautiful beachside venue and how we decorated it. I know you’re proud; I can feel it in my heart.
Your favorite (and only) sweetie pie,
Maddy Schumer-Lewis
3. To the Best Grandparents in the World,
I cannot be any happier than I am today, knowing I’m a few hours away from marrying my soulmate. My heart is bursting with many emotions; happiness, excitement, nervousness—you name it, and it’s there. Just as you told me a few weeks ago, I am reminding myself that this is normal. Emotions are good to have.
I know letters are your thing, so I decided to try my hand at it; you’ve shown me all the love letters you’ve exchanged throughout the years, and they warm my heart every time I think about it. Maybe this can be the start of our own tradition.
Thank you for being there for mom and dad and helping them raise us. Mom and Dad say this themselves: Who knows how things would’ve turned out without your help? Some of my most treasured memories have you in them: visiting Disneyland and riding the carousel five times because I was—and still am—too scared for anything else; joining a Zumba session moments before a storm started; hiking to a wedding and almost getting lost and injured.
When I try to envision my life at 70 years old—where I want to be, who I want to be with, what I want to have achieved, and whatnot—I think of you guys. Beyond anything else, I want to have so much love left in my heart so I can give it to myself, my husband, and the world, just like you two do.
And just like you guys, I want to be 70 and still be filled with excitement as to what the next day will bring.
Thank you so much for being a source of unconditional love since the day I was born. You were and will continue to be the people I call my home. I look forward to seeing you two walk down the aisle hand-in-hand, reliving your own wedding from many years ago.
With all my love,
Sofia
Today, before I go out into the world wearing the gorgeous dress you passed down to me, I’m spending some time reflecting on the journey that has brought me here—a journey in which you both have played important roles.
Your love, support, and wisdom have been my guardian angel throughout my life. You have given me lessons I will take into my marriage: being patient, persevering through the difficult parts of life, and loving myself as much as I love my spouse.
Unlike other relationships I’ve seen, either real or in the media, your bond has grown stronger with every year that passes. I have always admired how you seem to never run out of love for each other. Your relationship inspires my soul and spirit, and I can only pray to have a marriage as fulfilling and healthy as yours.
Hours before exchanging vows with my partner, I am reminded of the promises that you made to each other all those years ago. You have honored those promises with a lifetime of love and commitment, and I promise you that I will do my best to emulate this dedication.
Thank you, Grandmom and Grandad, for everything. You have no idea how much you’ve helped me with all that you’ve done, said, and been. I am forever grateful for having you in this rollercoaster called life. I love you!
Love,
Steven
5. To Nana and Papa,
How’s it going up there in heaven? Is it everything you’ve dreamed it would be? I hope Nana is surrounded by all the golden retrievers, and I hope Papa has all the yarn for knitting his heart desires.
It’s so surreal writing a letter to my grandparents on my wedding day. It feels just like yesterday when Papa built me a swingset and Nana pushed me along on it. Now, I’m a few months away from having my own baby.
I’m excited to get married. I’m thrilled to be months away from becoming a parent. But I’m so nervous about what’s to come; I can’t help but feel unprepared and out of my element. I could really do with Nana’s signature pep talk, complete with Papa’s homemade tres leches cake.
However, I know I can rely on what I have learned from you two. Besides basic repairs around the home and a mouthwatering chili recipe, I also know that patience, clear communication, and compassion are essential to a healthy marriage. I don’t need to look further than my own grandparents for a manual on how to nourish a fulfilling and resilient relationship.
I miss you more than you know, more than words can express, more than I can ever grasp. But I know that you are up there, guiding every step, and smiling your little smiles.
Love,
Michael
6. Dear Grams and Gramps,
While I try to write this letter, my childhood comes back to me in waves—all the memories we made, all the lessons you imparted. I feel incredibly blessed to have you by my side today, which isn’t something that everyone can experience.
You show me what the cliché “through thick and thin” truly means. You show me what loving each other unconditionally really entails. When I think of the “perfect” marriage—which I know doesn’t really exist, but you’re as close to perfect as it gets—I think of yours: strong, loving, and compassionate.
I promise this to you and my spouse-to-be: I will make a lifelong commitment to love my partner even just half as much as you love each other.
You have always been there for me to cheer me on and listen to me when I needed it most. Your shoulder has been my go-to place to cry on for decades. Your love, wisdom, and kindness have shaped me in countless ways. For the rest of my life, I will try to come up with different ways to show you how much I’m grateful and how much I love you.
In order to be the best version of myself for my partner and future family, I know I just have to look at the values, lessons, and principles you have given me. And I know that I deserve nothing less than the best version of him, too.
Thank you for everything, truly. I love you both more than words can express, and I am so grateful to have you as my grandparents.
Lovingly yours,
Elle
Final Thoughts
At your wedding, it can be a sentimental touch to an already emotional day to find a way to honor the people important to you. It does not need to be a grand gesture—though some of them might like that, too. Something as simple yet moving as a letter to your grandparents on your wedding day can show them how much you appreciate and value their presence in your life.
