Regardless of whether you have a modern or traditional wedding, we believe sending thank you cards is an essential after-wedding must. Not only is it a sign of good manners, you’re also taking the time to thank your guests for their time, gifts and best wishes.
So, what are the etiquette rules around sending thank you cards? For many newly married couples, it’s something they don’t necessarily know a lot about, prior to their big day – so here’s an easy breakdown of the essentials around thank you cards.
WRITE THANK YOU CARDS WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF YOUR WEDDING DAY
The good news is, you don’t have to write them straight away. Normal good manners dictates they need to be sent within three months – but we’d recommend writing them as you receive the gifts. Not only does this prevent anyone being missed, it also helps avoid having to batch-write hundreds!
MAKE A LIST
That being said, it’s important that you don’t miss anyone – so make a list of everyone at the wedding and reception, as well as those who send you early gifts. You can then allocate the right present to the sender, as well as ticking off those you’ve already thanked.
DON’T TRY AND DO THEM ALL IN ONE SITTING
Look to spread the writing load. Share it with your partner and limit each session to 30 minutes. Not only will this avoid you getting cramp, it’ll keep your writing looking neat and less like a spider’s walked across the page.
OPT FOR POSTING YOUR CARDS
Even in this digital age, a handwritten card is seen as that bit more thoughtful than an email. Stock up on a stack of pretty cards, envelopes and sticky stamps – to save you having to lick them all.
SIGN FOR BOTH OF YOU
Remember, as a general rule you’re both thanking the sender, so sign off from both of you. Use your first names, so it keeps it informal and personal.
PERSONALISE THE NOTE
Talking of personal, thank the person by name. You’ll also want to add a personal note about the gift as well – but keep it short and sweet. Look to mention what the gift is, as well as something nice about it (such as the colour, where you’ll display it etc). If you genuinely dislike it though, don’t lie – just stick to a basic ‘thank you, it’s really unusual’ kind of thing.
DON’T MENTION THE VALUE OF CASH RECEIVED
If you’ve been sent money, avoid mentioning how much you’ve received from the person. Instead, use words of gratitude, such as ‘generous’ and state what it went towards.
REMEMBER TO THANK HELPERS
Finally, remember thank you cards aren’t just for thanking those who’ve given you gifts. You can also write to thank people for attending your wedding, reception, engagement, as well as those who have helped organise your wedding day – including your parents!
Thank you cards may seem like a hassle to write, but for those who receive them, they’re a little token of your gratitude. They’re a thank you for their time, gifts and best wishes – and that’s something you’ll want to cherish and thank them for.
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