A Guide to Writing Wedding Thank You Notes

Let's face it, everyone loves receiving free gifts. You should always show thanks and appreciation when you are given something, but when you get married, you have to take that appreciation to another level, thank you cards. Handwritten thank you cards at that. Your best friends, cousins, mom took the time out to buy you a gift for your wedding, the least you can do is write a personalized thank you card and drop it in the mail.

I know you already have so many things on our plate before you wedding, that is why it is extra important to write down exactly what you received and from whom. My advice is to keep a notepad and pen handy in the kitchen. When a package comes in, bring it to the kitchen to open, and as soon as you do, write it down. Some people like to keep track on their computer, do what suits you best. Be sure to write down their full name and address and exactly what the gift was that your received.

Don't be cheap on the stationery. Buy some nice quality cards and a high quality pen and invest a little into them.

Try to write the notes as the gifts come in. It will be less stressful for you if you are not faced with 2 dozen blank cards at one time. As you write your note and put in the envelope for mailing, be sure you mark it down next to their name on the list. I simply drew a star next to the names on my list. You can cross them out, star them, highlight, whatever your heart desires.

You don't have to go into great detail or write a huge letter, keep your note as brief as possible. "Dear, Best friends-cousin-mom, thank you so much for the "gift name here". We can't wait to put it to great use." Short and sweet will do the trick. They will know you appreciate them, you will not spend all afternoon writing notes.

Make sure to start out with a "thank you" and with a description of how you're going to use it, or that you cant wait to use it. "We can't wait to make ground coffee with our new coffee maker".

Then be sure that you mention their attendance (or not) at your wedding. Say something like, "It was so great to see you at our reception. We hope you had a great time, and we're glad you came to celebrate such an amazing time in our lives". If they we unable to make it you can say, "We're very sorry you were unable to attend our special event. We have plenty of pictures if you'd like to see them in the future".

To end your note, remind them you are thankful and sign off. "Again, thank you for coming and we really appreciate your gift. Love, "your names here".

Don't forget your husband. He is very capable of writing the thank you notes as well. Recruit him to help you if there are a lot to be written. This will keep one or the other of you from getting burnt out.

Seal it, add a stamp and drop it in the mail box. You're finished. Go enjoy married life.