Here's How to Write a Letter for Your Dad to Open on Your Wedding Day

Regardless of the type of wedding—big, small, micro mountain-top ceremony with only immediate family—writing a letter to your dad on your wedding day is a special tradition that'll ensure he knows just how much he means to you on this special day. Penning a thoughtful, handwritten day-of-wedding letter to your dad will make him know he's instilled the right values and traditions in you—and it'll give him a tangible keepsake to cherish for years to come. (He'll put it in that special place where he stores all of the Father's Day and birthday cards you gave him.) Honor the father figure who helped make you into the incredible spouse-to-be that you are today with a heartfelt wedding day letter—and be prepared to deliver it with a sweet thank-you gift and a box of tissues!

In this article:

• Wedding Day Letter to Dad Template
• Wedding Day Letter to Dad Example

Wedding Day Letter to Dad Template

While there's no one-size-fits-all template for every father out there, we've provided some structured guidance, ideas and components that any thank you letter to dad on wedding day ought to include. Ultimately, you know your dad best and your letter to your father on your wedding day should be reflective of your relationship with him, but these key pointers will help get you started on your quest to figure out what to write in a card to your dad on your wedding day (and finish that task!).

1. A Thoughtful Greeting

This may seem like an obvious portion of the letter, but the opening greeting will set the tone, level of sentimentality and overall voice of your card to your dad on your wedding day. For starters, you should address him by whatever you call him in real life, whether it be dad, pops or a funny nickname. Or, you can add a more-special opening address, like: "To the man who taught me how to be a strong woman."

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2. The Reason You're Glad He's With You on Your Big Day

It's important to let him know how grateful you are to have him celebrate you joining your life with your future spouse's. It's a great opportunity to thank him for traveling to be with you or just for agreeing to walk you down the aisle. The options here are endless, but thanking him for being there altogether is the best place to start when it comes to opening the body of your wedding day letter to your father.

3. What You Love About Him

After your loving opening line or two, now's the time to compliment your old man and tell him why he's just the best. Be sure to mention specific traits and characteristics that feel personalized to him—not just the usual suspects plucked from a Hallmark card (i.e. "fun" or "nice"). It's a great opportunity to mention his compassion, open-mindedness and generosity, and how those traits have helped shape you as a person and as a romantic partner. It's best to include specific examples or memories that illustrate his characteristics of honor as well.

4. Explain How Your Relationship Helped With Your Relationship With Your Spouse-to-Be

Whether directly by counseling you through a first or formidable argument with your future spouse or indirectly by raising you with solid communication skills and an unparalleled sense of compassion and empathy, this letter to your father is a great time to express your gratitude for how he's been there for you through it all. You don't need to go into the details of anything too negative (unless you want to, of course), but mentioning the ways your father has helped you navigate your partnership with your future spouse will make the wedding day letter to your father feel extra special and appropriate for your big day.

5. Close With Love

Here's arguably the most important part of the letter: Tell him how much you love him! Before signing your name. Feel free to keep it simple, since you've gone into depth earlier about the specifics. Plus, nothing beats a classic "I love you, Dad."

Wedding Day Letter to Dad Example

Below, you'll find a sample letter to dad on your wedding day so you can see how our tips all tie together. After you're done writing, scoop up some thank-you wedding gifts for parents to hand over when you give out wedding party gifts or on the morning of with your thoughtful note to dad.

Dad,

I am so excited and happy to be able to share this most special day with you—through everything, you've been there for me and helped me to become the person I am today. As I've matured as you've raised me, I can't imagine what today must be like viewed through your eyes. I know you've sacrificed so much to be here and to get me to this very moment, including many things I probably don't know about. Through thick and thin, our relationship has been such an important one and I couldn't fathom getting married without you being present to see and share in the celebration with us.

I appreciate the innumerable things you've done and provided for me, and the support and love you continue to give me—especially on a day as important and emotional as this one. Your dedication to your children and family is so admirable and I'm lucky not only to share in this momentous day with you, but to share in every day. Every moment, whether large or small, is a precious gift I appreciate more and more as time passes.

While I imagine it's difficult and scary to see your child setting off to create their own family, you can rest assured that I'll live by the values and lessons you've taught and imparted to me. I can't wait to share these with my spouse and future kids. Our family isn't dividing, it's growing. I can't wait to walk down the aisle with you. I love you, Dad.

With so much love,

[Your Name]