Prince William and Kate Middleton say they have been “incredibly moved” by the affection shown to them since their engagement.
In a message in their official wedding programme they thanked “everyone most sincerely for their kindness”.
Details of Friday’s ceremony at Westminster Abbey have been published.
The order of service reveals Miss Middleton will vow to “love, comfort, honour and keep” but not obey Prince William.
The service will be the epitome of “Britishness”, St James’s Palace said.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office says the invitation for the Syrian ambassador in London has been withdrawn following reports that up to 400 pro-democracy protesters have been killed in Syria by security forces in recent weeks.
A Foreign Office statement said: “Buckingham Palace shares the view of the Foreign Office that it is not considered appropriate for the Syrian ambassador to attend the wedding.”
Miss Middleton has taken part in her last rehearsal at Westminster Abbey, with best man Prince Harry, the bridesmaids and pageboys.
In their official wedding programme released on Thursday, William and Kate’s message reads: “We are both so delighted that you are able to join us in celebrating what we hope will be one of the happiest days of our lives.
“The affection shown to us by so many people during our engagement has been incredibly moving, and has touched us both deeply.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone most sincerely for their kindness.”
Music choices
The bride will walk up the aisle to a coronation anthem I Was Glad by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry from Psalm 122.
It was composed for the crowning of Prince William’s great-great-great grandfather Edward VII at Westminster Abbey in 1902.
The couple have chosen to use the Series One (1966) Book of Common Prayer ceremony.
Classical compositions by Elgar, Britten and Vaughan Williams will feature during the ceremony, alongside the hymn Jerusalem and the English melody Greensleeves.
St James’s Palace said many of the “stunning” pieces were chosen by the royal couple for their “theatre”.
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and Kate’s parents Carole and Michael Middleton, sister Pippa and brother James will all act as witnesses and sign the marriage registers.
Kate’s brother James Middleton will give The Lesson, reading Romans 12: 1-2, 9-18.
The souvenir wedding programme is available to download free as a PDF from the official Royal Wedding website. The booklet will be also be sold for £2 a copy along the processional route on the day of the wedding, with proceeds going to the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry.
William is due to spend Thursday evening with the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and Harry while Miss Middleton and her family will gather at the Goring Hotel, in Belgravia.
Royal reception
The Queen is hosting an event for British and foreign royals at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, near Hyde Park, in central London.
Among those thought to be attending are the Duke of York and his daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal and Zara Phillips with her fiance, England rugby player Mike Tindall.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are expected to attend the reception before returning to Clarence House for their private dinner.
Some 50 foreign heads of state are among the 1,900 invited guests attending the wedding.
VisitBritain has predicted an extra 600,000 people will be in the capital on Friday, with some royal enthusiasts already beginning to pitch tents outside the abbey.
It is anticipated the events will be watched by millions of people worldwide on television. Thousands of journalists have descended on London and makeshift studios have sprung up outside Buckingham Palace and along the wedding route.
Security has been stepped up, with police sealing off Beeston Place where the Goring Hotel is.
On Friday, a carriage procession will pass along The Mall, Horse Guards Road, Horse Guards Parade, through Horse Guards Arch, along Whitehall, along the south side of Parliament Square and into Broad Sanctuary.
Many of Thursday’s papers carry pictures of Prince William playing a game of football with friends in Battersea on Tuesday night.
The Times said William, who is president of the Football Association, looked relaxed as he laughed and joked with his team-mates.
Westminster Abbey has closed its doors to the public so that preparations could get under way.
Large containers of green cuttings have arrived from the royal estates of Sandringham and Windsor and gardeners have set up an “avenue of trees” inside the abbey.
Six field maples and two hornbeams are to flank the route to the altar as part of Kate Middleton’s floral plans.
The Met Office says there is a 70% chance of rain on Friday, with heavier showers more likely later in the day. The forecasters expect temperatures will reach a high of 18C (64F).
