Sending thank you notes is an essential and time-consuming aspect of your wedding. But it doesn’t have to be a daunting task that you continually procrastinate! Here are a few tips and tricks to help you send out the numerous letters:
Stationary
Buying your stationary early will ensure that you send your notes out in a timely manner. If you want your thank you cards to match your invitation suite, order them at the same time. Otherwise, a postcard or card with a photo from your wedding or engagement session is a very personal touch, as is a monogram of your new initials. Putting some extra thought into your stationary will give a simple thank you message a special touch that your guests will appreciate!
Organization
Keeping records of who gave what can be so complicated during the whirlwind of wedding activities: showers, parties, gifts received on the wedding day, and gifts mailed to you from the registry. Having a dedicated section in your planning book where you keep track of your gifts will take some of the stress away, especially when you enlist the help of your bridesmaids during your showers and parties! Make a note of the person (or people) and what they gave, even if it was a gift card or a $20 bill.
Recipients
Every guest, friend, or relative who gave you a wedding gift before, at, or after your wedding day should receive a handwritten note! It’s also a sweet touch to send a note to every guest in attendance, even if they did not bring a gift, as well as to your vendors! After all, they worked tirelessly to help you have the wedding of your dreams.
Timing
When should you mail your notes out? As soon as you can! While you do have the customary one year allowance for gifts received on or after the wedding day, any present given to you before the wedding at a shower or party should be thanked within a couple of weeks of receiving it. And even though you do have a year to send out the cards, procrastinating will only cause you more stress when you realize you have one month to send out 300 thank you cards. Enlist the assistance of your fiancé in writing and mailing, as long as he has good penmanship! Sit down together and write 5 notes apiece every evening to conquer the list.
Wording
The key to a well-written note is to not be too formal. After all, you are writing to your family and friends! To help you get started, we’ve compiled a few suggestions for the different types of notes that you will send out:
Guests who gave gifts: Thank the recipient for attending your wedding and for their gift. Always mention how you will use the present or how much you enjoy it!
Guests who gave money or a gift card: There is no need to mention any amount in your note, but it’s a thoughtful touch to include how you will use their gift, whether it is to purchase items for your new home together or if it was added to the honeymoon budget.
Those who sent a gift but did not attend the wedding: Thank them for their gift and let them know that their presence was missed.
Guests who attended but did not give a gift: Whether your guest brought a gift or not, it’s always a good idea to thank them for attending and celebrating your marriage!
Shower/party hosts:It’s always a sweet touch to thank your friends who hosted your showers! Let them know how much you appreciate the time and energy that they gave.
Vendors: Thank your vendors for their involvement and mention how your big day would not have been complete without them! If you are planning to tip your vendors and did not do so on the wedding day, this would be a good time to include that.
Hopefully, these tips inspire you and help you get started on your thank you notes! Happy writing!
