How to Write a Wedding Thank You Note

How to Write a Wedding Thank You Note

Writing thank you notes for wedding gifts shouldn't be a chore but let's face it: It can be. Oh I know you're very grateful for the gorgeous gifts you received, for your friends and family traveling hours to see you, and for the generous checks you've responsibly deposited into your savings account. But when you think about sitting down and forcing out gushy sentiments on those tiny cards, your eyes roll back into your head.

Don't think of it that way. Writing thank you notes for your many presents does not have to be a chore. It can be a pleasant trip down memory lane, letting you focus on each lovely gift bestowed upon you, and more importantly, letting you appreciate the giver.

Here are some tips to get you started:

When to write them.
Send notes within two weeks for gifts received before the big day, and within one month for gifts after the wedding (you get time off for your honeymoon).

How to keep track of them.
The only thing worse than thanking someone twice (really not that bad) is forgetting to thank someone entirely (very bad). Every time you open a gift or letter, write down:
- Who it's from
- What is was
- When you received it
- Whether you've written a note yet
- When it was sent
Organization is a wonderful thing and having this list will keep you motivated.

Pace yourself.
Write 5 notes a night for however many nights it takes. If you have the kind of industrious husband who will help out, good work landing that one!

Six easy steps to a warm, thoughtful note:
1. Dear Friend or Family.
2. Thank you for the [description of gift] [name of gift].
Example: Thank you for the elegant Nambe vase.
3. At least one sentence about the item: something you did with it, a reason you like it, when you plan to use it. Ideally, make the sentence 2 parts, like the example below. This makes the note feel more sincere.
Example: It's so chic and matches my living room decor perfectly.
4. Thank the giver for coming to the weeding, if they did.
Example: Thank you so much for coming. It meant a lot to us to have you there.
5. Mention something about the giver such as family members or something happening in their lives.
Example: Best wishes to the kids. OR Have a great time in Maine next month. I look forward to hearing about it!
6. Sign off. "Love" is fine for family members and close friends. For others, some choices are "Yours Truly", "Regards", or "Warm Regards".
That's it! Once you know how to write a couple of sentences that truly express your feelings, you'll find it's a piece of cake to crank out those thank you notes. And you'll feel good that your gift-giver knows you really mean it.

For more samples, visit Thank You Note Samples where you can see thank you note samples for business and personal topics -- or request a personalized thank you note, custom-written just for you.

Return to the DIY Invites section for more wedding thank you note ideas.
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