A good engagement wish congratulates the couple by name and looks ahead to the wedding: "Congratulations on your engagement, Ritu and Sameer. Can't wait for the wedding." In Hindi, the usual wish is "सगाई की बहुत-बहुत बधाई" (sagai ki bahut-bahut badhai), and in Marathi it is "साखरपुड्याच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा" (sakharpudyachya hardik shubhechha).
The engagement goes by many names. Sagai or mangni in Hindi, roka in Punjabi homes (often a smaller function before the sagai), sakharpuda in Marathi, nichayathartham in Tamil, nischitartham in Telugu. The wishes below work for all of them. They were written for this page, so copy freely and change the names.
Short Engagement Wishes
These fit on a card, a gift tag or one WhatsApp line.
- Congratulations on your engagement. The rings look good on both of you.
- Many congratulations, Divya and Karthik. One step done, the wedding next.
- So happy for you both. Now please fix the date quickly.
- Congratulations on the sagai. Lots of love from all of us in Jaipur.
- Best wishes on your engagement, and for every function still to come.
- Congratulations. Two families, one very long guest list.
Engagement Wishes for a Friend
A friend's engagement is the time to be a little personal. Mention something only you would know.
- From "I am never getting married" in second year to a ring in 2026. Congratulations, I am very happy for you.
- You finally found someone who replies to messages faster than you do. Congratulations to both of you.
- Engaged. I am booking my leave for the wedding today, so do not change the date.
- Congratulations, yaar. He is lucky, and I have told him so already.
- I knew this was serious when you started asking me about lehenga colours in March. Congratulations.
For a friend who had an arranged match fixed after a few meetings, keep it warm and simple: "Congratulations on your engagement. He seems lovely, and your parents look so relieved. Very happy for you."
Engagement Wishes for Family
For a Brother or Sister
- Didi, congratulations. I get a jiju, and you get someone to fix the Wi-Fi.
- Bhai, congratulations on the roka. Welcome to the family, Simran. We are very happy.
- My little sister is engaged. I am happy, and slightly scared for the boy. Congratulations to you both.
For a Cousin, Niece or Nephew
- Congratulations on your engagement, beta. Our blessings to both of you, and to both families.
- So happy to hear about your nichayathartham, Kavya. See you at the wedding in Madurai.
From Parents and Elders
- With all our blessings on your engagement. May this new bond bring happiness to both families.
- Congratulations on the sagai. We pray the wedding goes smoothly and your life together is a happy one.
Wishes for a Colleague
Keep office wishes short. One line in the team group, or a signed card if the team is giving a gift.
- Congratulations on your engagement. Wishing you both the very best, from the whole sales team.
- Heartiest congratulations on your engagement. Do share the wedding date when it is fixed.
- Congratulations, Arjun. Good news like this makes a Monday better.
Engagement Wishes in Hindi
Each line is in Devanagari for a card, with the same line in English letters for WhatsApp.
| Devanagari | In English letters |
|---|---|
| सगाई की बहुत-बहुत बधाई। आप दोनों हमेशा खुश रहें। | Sagai ki bahut-bahut badhai. Aap dono hamesha khush rahein. |
| नए रिश्ते की नई शुरुआत मुबारक हो। | Naye rishte ki nayi shuruaat mubarak ho. |
| अंगूठी तो बदल गई, अब शादी की तारीख़ जल्दी निकालो। | Angoothi to badal gayi, ab shaadi ki taareekh jaldi nikalo. |
| दोनों परिवारों को इस शुभ अवसर पर हार्दिक बधाई। | Dono parivaron ko is shubh avsar par hardik badhai. |
The formal version for a card from a family is "सगाई के शुभ अवसर पर हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ" (sagai ke shubh avsar par hardik shubhkamnayein), heartfelt good wishes on the engagement. For wedding wishes in Hindi, with shayari, see our page of wedding wishes in Hindi.
Engagement Wishes in Marathi
In Maharashtra the engagement is the sakharpuda, named after the packet of sugar (sakhar) the families exchange.
| Devanagari | In English letters |
|---|---|
| साखरपुड्याच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा. | Sakharpudyachya hardik shubhechha. |
| तुम्हा दोघांना साखरपुड्याच्या खूप खूप शुभेच्छा. | Tumha doghanna sakharpudyachya khoop khoop shubhechha. |
| नव्या नात्याच्या सुरुवातीसाठी मनापासून अभिनंदन. | Navya natyachya suruvatisathi manapasun abhinandan. |
"Hardik shubhechha" means heartfelt good wishes, and "abhinandan" means congratulations. Both are standard in Marathi cards and messages.
How to Reply to Engagement Wishes
Couples get dozens of messages in the first two days. One reply line for the group and a few personal ones are enough.
| Who sent it | Reply |
|---|---|
| Family WhatsApp group | Thank you all for the blessings. We will share the wedding date soon. |
| Close friend | Thank you. You are the first person we told after our parents, so plan your leave. |
| Elder relative | Thank you, Mama. Please keep blessing us. |
| Colleague | Thank you so much. Will bring sweets on Monday. |
| Hindi speaker | Bahut-bahut dhanyavaad. Aapka aashirwad bana rahe. |
| Marathi speaker | Manapasun dhanyavaad. (Thank you from the heart.) |
Reply to elders individually, even if it is one line. A grandmother who sent a voice note will notice if she got the same copied text as the office group.
Instagram Captions for Engagement Photos
- Said yes, then said "but the muhurat is at 7 am?"
- Ring on, fights about the guest list begin
- Engaged, and the families are already discussing the menu
- From biodata to bandhan
- Officially taken, officially happy
- One ring, two very loud families
What to Write in an Engagement Card
An engagement card needs three things. The couple's names, one line of congratulations, and your name with your relation.
"Dear Neha and Rohan, congratulations on your engagement. Wishing you a happy wedding and a happier life together. With love, Suresh and Anita Patil (Neha's uncle and aunt), Nashik."
If you give a gift or cash at the engagement, give it freely. Section 2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 covers property given "at or before" the marriage. So a "gift" the other side demands at the engagement is a dowry demand.
The engagement is when wedding planning really starts. Our month-by-month wedding checklist shows what to book first. For wishes on the wedding day itself, see our wedding wishes. And if a cousin is still looking for a match, make a biodata for them here. More guides are in the invitations and gifts section.
Common questions
What Do You Write in an Engagement Card?
Congratulate the couple by name, add one line wishing them well for the wedding, and sign with your name and relation. Two or three lines are enough.
How Do You Congratulate Someone on Their Engagement?
Say "Congratulations on your engagement" with their names, and add one personal line. For a friend, mention something you share.
What Are Engagement Wishes in Hindi?
"सगाई की बहुत-बहुत बधाई" (sagai ki bahut-bahut badhai) is the most common. The formal one is "सगाई के शुभ अवसर पर हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ".
How Do You Reply to Engagement Wishes?
Thank the group in one message, and reply to elders and close friends one by one. "Thank you for the blessings, we will share the wedding date soon" works for most people.
What Is a Short Engagement Caption for Instagram?
Keep it under ten words and a little funny, such as "Ring on, fights about the guest list begin" or "From biodata to bandhan".
Sources
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