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An aunt sits in a special spot. She isn't a parent, so she gets to be the one who says yes, keeps the secrets and notices things nobody else does. When her niece gets married, she often has a lot to say and not much time to say it.
Here are six poems written in an aunt's voice for a niece's wedding. Use one in a card, read one at the reception, or borrow a few lines for a toast. Each is short, and each leaves room for a memory of your own.
1. The One Who Said Yes
Your mom said no to a third cookie.
I said, "Go on, it's a holiday."
Your dad said bed at eight.
I said, "Five more minutes," and meant fifty.
That was my job, and I took it seriously:
the sweets, the stories, the rides home,
the loan that never got mentioned again.
I was never meant to be the sensible one.
Now you're marrying a man who makes you laugh,
and I'm going to say yes to that too.
Yes to the cake, the dancing, the rest of it.
Go on. It's a holiday.
Best for: a warm, funny toast. About 40 seconds.
2. From Baby Photos to This
I have a photo of you at two,
cake on your face, furious about something.
I have one of you at ten, missing a tooth,
holding a trophy bigger than your arm.
I have one from the day you left for college
that I can't look at without a tissue.
And now I'll have this one,
you in white, and him looking at you.
I've kept them all in a drawer,
the way you keep anything that matters.
Today I'll add the new one,
and the drawer is going to be a bit fuller.
Best for: a card, with a printed photo if you have one. About 35 seconds.
3. For the Girl Who Told Me Everything
You told me about the boy in third year
and the teacher who got it wrong,
the job you nearly quit in March
and the night you knew he was the one.
I'll keep every word of it.
That's what an aunt is for:
a vault with a kettle,
and a very short memory for gossip.
You'll tell him things now.
Good. That's how it should be.
But if you ever need a car, a couch
or a talking-to, my door doesn't lock.
Best for: a private card or a quiet moment at the reception. About 35 seconds.
4. Things I Wish I'd Been Told
Marry the one who's kind when things go wrong.
Anyone is nice on a good day.
Learn how the other person likes to be comforted,
because it won't be the way you do.
Let some arguments go unsettled.
Not every question needs an answer by midnight.
Keep a friend who isn't his friend,
and a hobby that isn't ours.
Take the trip before you're ready.
Say sorry first when it's small.
Above all, keep being the person
he fell for when he first heard you laugh.
That's the best advice I have,
and I got it from watching you.
Best for: the ceremony or a toast, with a thoughtful tone. About 50 seconds.
5. A Warning to the Groom
You've married into a family of talkers.
We'll call at dinner, call at ten,
and ask when the baby's coming
before you've unpacked the honeymoon.
You've also married a woman
who's kind, quick and fearless,
who remembers every birthday
and never lets a joke go to waste.
Treat her well. I mean it.
I have a casserole dish and a long memory.
But I think you already know,
so welcome, we're glad to have you.
Best for: a humorous reception toast. About 40 seconds.
6. An Aunt's Blessing
May your mornings be slow,
your arguments short,
your table crowded,
and your fridge never empty.
May you always find a reason to laugh
on the days there isn't one.
May he be your best friend
long after the music stops.
I'll be at the end of the phone,
as I've always been.
With all my love, today and after,
your aunt.
Best for: closing a toast, or writing inside a card. About 35 seconds.
How to Make an Aunt to Niece Poem Your Own
Change the details to match what only you two know: the nickname, the holiday tradition, the thing you always say. One real memory is worth more than a whole stanza of general praise.
Say it out loud before the day. Most of these run 35 to 50 seconds, which is a good length for a toast. If you're unsure about a joke, show it to a family member you trust first.
If you aren't reading it aloud, write the poem in a card or print it with a photo. Many brides keep a card from an aunt long after the flowers have gone.
See also: More poems for the bride: from her mother, from her sister and from her grandmother.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an aunt read a poem at her niece's wedding?
Yes, though it helps to ask the couple what is planned. A reception toast, a family reading or a card tucked in the gift are all good places for an aunt's poem. If the ceremony is tightly scheduled, offer the toast or the card instead.
How long should an aunt's poem for her niece be?
Thirty to sixty seconds is a good length when read aloud, usually 12 to 20 lines. If you'd like to add a story, say it in two or three sentences before the poem, and keep the total under two minutes.
Should I write my own poem or use one of these?
Both work. Start with one of these and replace the details with your own: the nickname, the holiday tradition or the thing you always say to her. A few personal lines inside a ready-made frame feel real and take far less time than writing from scratch.
What if I'm not very close to my niece?
Say what you honestly feel. A short, warm poem that welcomes her husband or wife into the family and wishes her well is enough. Avoid inventing memories you don't have, because guests who know the family will notice.
Final Thoughts
An aunt's poem works best when it is short, warm and a little bit personal. Choose the one that sounds like you, swap in your own memory and read it aloud once before the day. Your niece will remember that you took the time.