The daunting task of writing a wedding thank-you note for each of your gifts looms before you. Suddenly you have questions. Since you’ve got a lot to do, like enjoying your new spouse, we’ll cut to the chase and answer the most often asked questions and give you a few quick tips for finishing your wedding thank-you notes with grace, gratitude and efficiency.
How long do we have do send our thank-you notes?
There is a lot of debate on this. Some say you have a year. Staunch traditionalists declare you have 2 to 4 weeks from the time you return from your honeymoon. My personal benchmark is three months from the wedding date or from when you receive the gift — whichever is later.
Does everybody get a note even if they did not send a gift?
Yes. Every guest who attends and/or sends a gift gets a handwritten thank-you note.
How do I write a wedding thank-you note?
This very simple: Each note can be written in 4 to 6 sentences.
Just remember that a thank-you note is six parts:
1. Dear
2. Thank-you for the lovely (fill in the name of the specific gift)
3. Write a compliment of the gift.
4. Mention how you will use the gift (particularly if it is cash) or a compliment to the sender.
5. Thanks again.
6. Love/Sincerely
Sample:
Dear Aunt Sue,
Thank you for the luxurious down comforter. It is so elegant and soft we can hardly wait to go to sleep at night. You have exceptional taste. Thanks again.
Love,
The Happy Couple
For a less formal wedding thank-you note, switch the second line to: “It is so elegant and soft, we’ll never fall asleep on the couch again.”
The standard line people use for #4 is “We’ll think of you every time we use it.”
You do not have to wait until after the wedding. Wedding thank-you notes can be sent as gifts are received.
Knowing you only have to think of two lines for each gift keeps the task more manageable.
Other tips for your wedding thank-you notes:
- Send the cards as you write them instead of waiting. It will give you a feeling of accomplishment.
- Write just three or four notes at a time to keep your handwriting neat.
- Share the joy! Thank-you notes are not just for brides anymore. Modern etiquette says it is more than acceptable to let the hubby write the notes.
- Address all the envelopes in advance and just slip the gift tags with a note written on the back to remind you who sent what. (Use a slip of paper if you do not have the gift tags.)
- Keep a few envelopes and cards in your purse and write a few during lunch at work, in between loads of laundry, when you are in a waiting room, or during commercials instead of fast-forwarding your TiVo.
If you catch yourself struggling to think of something nice to say about an unusual gift, remember that wedding gifts are a symbol of the blessings you have and will receive in your newfound union. Use your wedding thank-you cards as a symbol of how much you appreciate each other, your loved ones, and your new life together.
Christy Murphy is the creator of my-thank-you-site.com/wedding-gift-thank-you-cards.html, which provides ready-to-copy sample thank-you notes for all occasions including weddings, and other practical tools to demonstrate and attract gratitude in every day life. She is a writer, public speaker and comedian, who has been featured on numerous television shows including CNN’s Showbiz Today, Australia’s Seven News and CBS News.