Growing up, my mother instilled in me the importance of a thank-you card. At an early age, I was writing my own thank-you cards to friends and family members who sent me a gift for this reason or that. Sadly, Thank-you cards seem to be a thing of the past. I’ve been to so many children’s birthdays where gifts were opened after the party and a thank-you never came. I’ve also thrown a birthday party for my son recently where we didn’t send any thank-you cards (mainly because the children ripped into the gifts like piranhas and I had no idea who gave what).

When Andy and I got married, we got several gifts sent directly to our apartment before we were married and took several home after. As I opened gifts, I would write a thank-you note. This way, I didn’t have to worry about writing down the wrong gift or missing someone.

Who gets a thank-you card?

Anyone who sent you a gift.

When should you send out thank-you’s?

For gifts you receive before your wedding, send the thank-you notes before your wedding. For gifts received after send out your thank-you notes 2-3 weeks after your wedding. This means you may be spending every night after your honeymoon writing thank-you cards, but you can do it!

Do you want to feature a wedding portrait on your thank-you cards but haven’t gotten photos yet?

Ask the photographer for some photos early (I usually post sneak peek photos that can be used). You can also use an engagement photo on your cards instead of wedding photos.

What to write:

Address your gift giver & write something genuine and from the heart. Thank them for coming to your wedding as well as the gift. You can say what you are most excited to use the gift for or how great it looks or how soft it is…