Call us old fashioned, but in the world of texting, posting and chatting, sometimes a genuine “thank you” gets lost in the whirlwind of our busy everyday routines. We believe the special people involved in your big day and were gracious enough to give you and yours truly a gift, deserve a hand written card. Handwritten notes are much more personal, special and warm than an email or text message. Here’s a few things The Wedding Guys want you to keep in mind when you start to think about Thank You Cards!
1: Timing: Let’s cut to the chase…you’re probably asking, “so just how much time do I have to write all of these heartfelt handwritten notes?” Popular belief is that couples have a one-year grace period to send out thank you notes (sorry to break it to you brides, this is not the case). All thank you notes should be sent out no later than three months after the big day. BUT, if you don’t get notes out in that time frame don’t throw in the towel just yet. Guests will appreciate your note even if it does arrive after the three-month deadline, so don’t blow it off altogether. Obviously we don’t want the newlyweds writing notes the day after “I do” or on the honeymoon, so take a couple weeks to bask in the post wedding relaxation…then get to work.
We recommend setting a daily goal for the writing process. Divide the number of notes needed to be written by 60 days (this will give you some catch up time if you miss a few days) and write that amount of notes each night. Writing a couple notes each night will be a manageable task rather than rushing to write a hundred cards a week before that three month deadline. You can make this a fun newlywed activity, sit down on the couch after dinner each night, pour a glass of wine and write a few notes together. This will give you the opportunity to talk about your loved ones, reminisce about the big day and also allow you to write a much more personal and memorable thank you note to each guest.
2: Stationery: So what stationery should you use? Please no fill-in-the-blanks or pre-printed cards, emails or Facebook posts. These cards are an extension of the beautiful wedding you just planned and they should resemble the same quality. We love the idea of having the same company who created your invitations, programs, menus, etc. make the thank you stationery as well. You can go with the same style you used for the other prints, play around with your new monogram, or go with something more trendy and fun. Creating a photo card for a thank you is a nice touch, but make sure to plan ahead and let your photographer know you plan on doing this because the timing can be tricky! If your photographer wont be able to get you prints from the actual day, consider using a shot from your engagement session for the photo card.
3: A program or favor “thank you” doesn’t count! Adding a nice thank you message to all your loved ones at the bottom of the wedding program or giving out cute favors with an attached thank you message are both sweet and fun touches to your wedding day…but they do not substitute for an official thank you note sent out after the big day. Remember, if you opt to include such a thank you on your wedding day that you are thanking guests for their attendance and support along the way, you haven’t yet thanked them individually for the gift they gave you.
4: Who gets a note? So where does the list end? There were so many special people who made your day one that will be cherished forever, and for that they deserve a million thanks. Here’s our checklist of people you definitely shouldn’t forget when writing your thank you notes.
- Anyone who gives you an engagement, shower or wedding gift. Even if you have spoken with them in person, on the phone or through text since the big day, it is still courteous to send a hand written note. Remember that individual notes should be written for each person (or household) who contributed to a group gift.
- Those you gave gifts of money. Including the amount they gave is not necessary but thanking them for their generosity is!
- Your attendants/wedding party. Attaching a personal note to the gifts of each of your attendants will remind them of the big role they play in your life and in the big day.
- Hosts of showers or parties. Try to write these notes shortly after the shower or party takes place, its one more thing to take off the post-wedding to do list and you will be able to include more personal and memorable elements of the event within the note.
- People who went above and beyond. Don’t forget about all the little things that made the big day come together and run smoothly. The cousin who picked up morning snacks, the neighbor who accepts gift deliveries while your not home, the aunt who transported gifts from the reception back home. Anyone who made the before, during or after the wedding process run a bit more smoothly deserves an extra dose of thanks.
- Suppliers and vendors. You don’t need to write a note to everyone you booked for wedding services but definitely write notes to the key players or those you were extremely pleased with. Photographers, planners, makeup artists, anyone who exceeding your expectations and enhanced your special day will love to hear about how they made your day amazing.
- Parents or hosts. We hope this is a no-brainer but anyone who contributed to the payment or planning of the big day deserves a hand written note and more!