Writing The PERFECT Thank You Note!

Where do you stand on the whole note thing?

Each wedding gift should be acknowledged with a written note within three months of receipt of the gift. It’s best to write the notes as soon as possible after gifts arrive, however. Write a note even if you have thanked the giver in person. – Emily Post

Make the job easier, more organized, and dare we say it…… fun?

• Handwritten envelopes are always best—- having said that:
• If you choose the handwritten envelope route, write a few every day prior to the wedding and then keep in a box, alphabetically. This may sound daunting at first, but you’ll thank yourself later.
• When you prepare your guest list, make address labels if you must. If you opt out of handwritten envelopes because of a very large list, you can always go for clear sheets of labels they will look nice on any color of envelope.
• Decide before the wedding if you are going to use a wedding photo (or even an engagement photo) as your card. If so, price your options and decide where you will print. Let your wedding photographer know that you would love to have a few photos early for this purpose (please).
• If you’re using a more generic thank you card, order them early.
• Purchase stamps for your notes so you’re ready and procrastination free.

What should the Perfect Thank you Note contain?

Use the name of the person/couple who gave you the gift.

Write neatly & legibly.

Be specific— don’t just say thanks for the gift…… thank them for the gift that they gave you.

Add a personal comment (example, we were so excited to get, or we can’t wait to use the….)

If the gift was cash, thank them for their generous gift and tell them how you plan to use it. (Example, we were so grateful for your gift and plan to use the money towards a sofa for our new home together).

Timing is EVERYTHING!

There is a rule of thumb that states you have three months after the wedding to send out a thank you note. We say NOPE! We agree with Martha Stewart on this one and say that unless you’re traveling around the world and won’t be back for months, send out those notes within 3 weeks after the wedding. Please. If you’ve done some planning and organization beforehand, this shouldn’t be difficult.

What if you’ve totally procrastinated and haven’t sent out your thank you’s for longer than 3 months? Yikes!!! WRITE THEM ANYWAY!!!! APOLOGIZE!

But, there is no need to get yourself into this jam. Remember, many gifts trickle in before your actual wedding day! There are fewer and fewer prettily wrapped presents that make their arrival on a table at your reception. To write thank you notes as they come in, you will obviously need to choose an engagement photo, or one taken prior to the wedding. If you absolutely must use a wedding photo then plan ahead.

Write thank you notes as your gifts arrive

if you can!!