The dedication is the first thing people see in the video, so it sets the tone for everything that follows. Most people get stuck on it: how do you fit so much love into one sentence? Here are a few simple rules, followed by examples for each occasion.
How do I write a good dedication for the start of a video?
Shorter is better. On a big screen in a hall, people have only a few seconds to read. One or two lines are enough, and a longer sentence simply will not be read to the end.
A name, an occasion, and a warm sentence. This is the formula that almost always works: who the video is for, in honor of what, and one sentence that feels like a hug.
Speak to the person. "Mom, you..." feels closer than "In honor of Mom, who is...". Speaking directly turns the dedication into a small letter.
Check spelling and names. A typo stands out on a big screen. Watch the spelling of names, the numbers, and the form of address, and ask someone else to read it before you approve.
One language per line. Choose by your audience. At GrowingTale you can write the dedication and the closing note in Hebrew or in English.
Leave the story to the photos. The dedication only opens the door. There is no need to tell the whole story in it, because the video will do that.
Dedication examples for a birthday
A child's birthday
Noa is 6 - six years of laughter, questions, and magic. Happy birthday, our love.
To Ethan, who grew up too fast and stayed as sweet as the very first day. Happy 10th birthday.
Maya, every year with you is a new chapter we never want to end. Happy birthday.
Owen is 3: from the first step to the fastest run in the park. We love you.
To Lily on her 8th birthday, from the family that is moved by you all over again every day.
A milestone birthday for a parent
Dad, 60 years of stories. Here are a few of them, with love from all of us.
Mom is 50 - it all started with you. Happy birthday.
To Danny at 40: the same smile, a little less hair, and a lot more love.
70 years, three generations, and endless memories. Happy birthday, Dad.
To our mom, who always took the pictures of everyone else - this time she is in them. Happy 65th birthday.
For a birthday video where you watch a child or a parent grow from photo to photo, a growing-up film is an especially good fit. There is more on the birthday video page.
Dedication examples for a bar mitzvah, a bat mitzvah, and a wedding
Bar and bat mitzvah
Jacob, 13 years in which you grew up right before our eyes. Mazel tov on your bar mitzvah.
To Tamar, who is 12: from our little baby to a young woman we are so proud of.
Ari, 13 years of questions, dreams, and surprises. And the best is still ahead of you.
Shira, we watched you grow, photo after photo. Mazel tov on your bat mitzvah, with love from Mom and Dad.
To Noah, who always knew exactly what he wanted. Mazel tov on your bar mitzvah, from the whole family.
A wedding
Two kids, two families, and now one home. Dana and Ryan, congratulations.
Before they met: the story of Ori and Michelle, from the beginning.
Noa & Ben - two stories that became one.
Abby and Alan, all of these photos led to this moment.
From kindergarten to this day - Leah and Tom, the road that brought you to each other.
For a wedding, the dedication fits especially well with a video that starts with the childhood photos of both partners. We wrote more about it in our guide to a wedding video from childhood photos.
Dedication examples for an anniversary, for grandparents, and in memory of a loved one
An anniversary
25 years together, and still holding hands. Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad.
To Ruth and Moe, 40 years of home, children, and grandchildren. Thank you for building all of this.
10 years, two daughters, and one love. Happy anniversary, my love.
50 years together, and the photos show that the smile has not changed.
Grandparents
To Grandma Hannah, because of whom we all have a home to come back to.
Grandma and Grandpa, your story is the beginning of all of us.
To Grandpa Joseph at 80: every grandchild here is part of your story.
In memory of a loved one
In a video in memory of a loved one, the dedication is gentler and quieter. A name is enough, and sometimes the years of a life, and one line of love.
In memory of Dad, who was always there. We remember and we love.
Mom, every picture here is a moment we will keep in our hearts.
Uncle Aaron, your smile keeps walking with us. With love, the family.
We wrote about choosing the photos and the tone for a video like this in our guide to a video in memory of a loved one.
What do I write in the closing note of the video?
The closing note is the last word of the video, and it can be a little more personal than the dedication, because at that moment the audience is moved and listening. Three good ways to close:
- A signature: who is giving the video. "With love, Mom, Dad, Ethan, and Maya."
- A look ahead: "And this is only the first chapter. Congratulations, Noa."
- Thanks: "Thank you for coming to celebrate with us."
In a video in memory of a loved one, the closing note can be a simple line like "Always with us." Here too, shorter is better: one or two lines, and names spelled correctly.
A small tip: write the dedication and the closing note together, as a pair. When the ending returns to a word or an idea from the opening, such as "chapter" or "story", the video feels closed and whole. And if the opening was light and funny, you can close on a more emotional moment, and the other way around.
Frequently asked questions
How many words should a dedication have?
One or two sentences are enough, ones that fit on one or two lines of the screen. If you have to read the dedication twice to understand it, shorten it.
Can I change the dedication after the video is ready?
Yes. After the video is ready, you can change the opening and the closing note. Some changes come with a number of free tries, and the site shows every limit up front.
My guests speak different languages. Which language should I write in?
Write in the language of most of your audience, or of the person the video honors. Another option is to write the dedication in one language and the closing note in the other.
Do I need to put a date in the dedication?
It is not required. A date fits when the video will be kept as a keepsake for years, for example at a wedding or an anniversary, but for a screening at the event itself, a name and a warm sentence are usually enough.
Which is better, a written dedication or an opening scene?
It is a matter of taste. A written dedication is personal and direct, and a cinematic opening scene creates a moment of anticipation before the photos. If you are showing the video at an event, it is also worth reading how to play a video at an event.
