Those Two Little Words: Thank You

Your wedding event is not finished until you’ve sent out your thank you notes. Just as important as the invitation, the thank you card is an absolute necessity! The mark of a well- mannered bride, it also lets the gift-giver know you’ve received their gift and that you cared enough to take the time to send them a personalized thank you.

Although not a difficult task, writing thank you cards can become time consuming if left to the last minute. To avoid such a calamity, you should send them out as soon as you start receiving gifts. As part of good etiquette, thank you's should be sent out no later than one month after your wedding. If waiting until after your honeymoon appeals to you, perhaps you can divide the task with your new husband and he can help write them. Keep in mind that you will also need to send thank you cards to your service providers (florist, caterer, musicians), to let them know what a great job they did and that you appreciate their efforts.

There is a broad variety of styles and colors available in thank you cards, so check with your stationer as soon as possible. There are several questions you should ask yourself when choosing your thank you cards: “If I order thank you cards from the stationer, who is doing my invitations? Will they give me a bulk rate or discounts? Do I want to have the same typeface as my invitations? Can I save some money by buying prepackaged sets which are reasonably priced as well as convenient?” Also remember, that it is not imperative that everyone receive the same card, so it’s okay to choose different stationery, or a variety of different cards.

When it’s time to sit down and write your card, remember that there is no "formula" for the perfect thank you card. The best way is to express what is in your heart and expound from there or you could use a "form" thank you, with subtle changes made according to what was received and who sent the gift. If you choose the latter, try to alternate writing to your husband’s family and to your family. You would not want two people to receive the same exact note. Imagine if your family compared your thank you's!

Just remember what you are writing about and that, even in today’s electronic age, your card must always be handwritten. A simple note, expressing your heartfelt appreciation for their kind and generous gift is always appreciated. Letter writing has fallen out of fashion in today's society, but if someone is out of town and unable to attend the wedding or the reception, a card might not be big enough to express your thanks for their generous and thoughtful gift!