Thank you cards are a chore most brides don't exactly look forward to as a "fun" part of the wedding planning process. They're tedious, time-consuming, and they give brides everywhere hand cramps. They are, however, an important part of letting your guests know that their gifts and attendance are appreciated, and they are still an expected part of the wedding process. Getting them done (in a timely manner) is something you shouldn't put off, so here are a few tips to make the whole experience a little easier:
Write them NOW for Early Gifts
Many brides panic when they receive a gift way before the wedding date. Though it's now common courtesy to send a gift to the couple's home instead of bringing it to the wedding venue the day of the event, that leaves many couples receiving gifts before and after the big day. Here's a tip: write the card as soon as you can and put it away in a designated spot for later. While you shouldn't use the gift until after the wedding, write the card as soon as you're able. The sentiment will be fresher than if you'd waited to write the card until later.
If you're worried that your guest will be wondering whether or not the gift made it safely, don't be afraid to give them a call - just don't send the actual note until the wedding day is behind you.
Write a Detailed Thank You Note List
Though you will be getting some of your gifts before the big day, it goes without saying that the bulk of the gifts and notes and cards will arrive all at once. You probably know that you should make a list, but I suggest making a more detailed list than just "name and gift." Make note of who couldn't make it and specific sentiments that were addressed to you and your new spouse in the note. This will allow you to keep it fresh in your mind and make your cards more personal. You think you'll remember these things, but you won't.
Don't Put Them Off
Don't put writing these cards off. I mean it. Really. No one likes writing thank you cards, but they are so very very important to many of your guests. No one likes writing them, but everyone likes getting them.
It is so easy to forget to do thank you cards, but you have to make them an immediate priority (after your honeymoon, of course). Thank you cards are important to people, and it's the least you can do after your guests made the effort to send your their love to you and your new spouse for your wedding. Thank you cards that are ten months late are almost worse than no thank you cards at all. Imagine opening one up eons after a wedding and going "Oh yeah, I guess they never did thank us until just now. THEY'RE OUT OF THE WILL."
Write Personal Notes
Thank you notes are there most enjoyable when the writer takes the time to note a more personal message than "Thanks." Say what you plan on doing with the gift, and tell them how much you enjoyed seeing them, but really try to make it specific to them. It's common courtesy to write a thank you note, but it's truely enjoyable when you take the task in stride and mention just how thankful you really are.
Your bridal party – from your flower girls to your groomsmen – will be the backbone of your wedding day. Hopefully you’ve chosen your bridal party carefully, and you’re extremely happy to have them stand up for you as you marry your future bride/groom. So how should you thank them for their dedication, love, and (sometimes) hard work? Present them with bridal party gifts before the big day! Bridal party gifts are little ways to show your bridal party just how much you appreciate them – from a coloring book set for your ring bearer to an engraved flask for the best man, bridal party gifts should be personal, useful, and simple.
The best place to present bridal party gifts will be the rehearsal dinner: the get-together after the wedding rehearsal that doesn’t have to be too fancy (a backyard barbeque is more than enough). As you present your bridal party gifts, think about saying a few words of personal thanks to each of your guests. This isn’t a bad time to thank your parents either, as they’ll be attending your rehearsal dinner as well! Chose your bridal party gifts as carefully as you chose your bridal party; you won’t regret it!
Fun wedding shoes don’t have to be loud and crazy as you walk down the aisle, they can be just as subtle as a pair of sensible black heels.