What to Write in a Wedding Thank You Note: A Simple Guide
by ShipNote TeamBlog
Writing wedding thank you notes is a heartfelt way to express your gratitude to those who shared in your special day and showered you with love and gifts. But sometimes, staring at a blank card can be daunting. Fear not! This simple guide will help you craft the perfect message for every guest.
The Basic Structure of a Wedding Thank You Note
A good thank you note is personal, specific, and sincere. Here's a template you can adapt:
- Greeting: Address the guest(s) by name.
- Thank Them for Their Presence: Acknowledge their effort in celebrating with you. If they couldn't make it but sent a gift, acknowledge that.
- Mention the Specific Gift: Be specific about the gift they gave. This shows you paid attention.
- Explain How You'll Use It (Optional but Nice): If it's a physical gift, briefly mention how you plan to use it or why you like it. For cash gifts, you can mention what you're saving towards (e.g., "your generous gift will help us so much with our honeymoon fund/new home down payment!").
- Look to the Future: Express your anticipation to see them again or share a brief, warm thought.
- Closing: A warm closing like "With love," "Sincerely," or "Warmly," followed by your names.
Examples for Different Situations
1. For a Guest Who Attended and Gave a Physical Gift:
Dear Aunt Susan and Uncle Bob,
Thank you so much for celebrating with us at our wedding! It meant the world to have you there. We also wanted to send a special thank you for the beautiful set of crystal wine glasses. We've already used them for a special dinner and they looked stunning on our table!
We're so grateful for your thoughtfulness and generosity. We're looking forward to having you over for dinner soon to show them off properly!
With love,
[Your Names]
2. For a Guest Who Attended and Gave a Cash Gift:
Dear Sarah and Tom,
It was so wonderful to see you at our wedding – thank you for making the trip to celebrate with us! We also wanted to express our sincere thanks for your incredibly generous gift. We're saving up for [mention what you're saving for, e.g., a down payment on a house / furnishing our new apartment / our honeymoon adventure], and your contribution is a huge help towards that goal.
We feel so lucky to have friends like you. Let's catch up properly soon!
Warmly,
[Your Names]
3. For a Guest Who Couldn't Attend but Sent a Gift:
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Chen,
We were so sorry you couldn't make it to the wedding, but we completely understand. We missed you! Thank you so much for the lovely [name of gift] you sent. It was so thoughtful of you. [Optional: add a sentence about how you'll use it].
We're hoping to [mention plans, e.g., share photos/videos soon / see you when we're next in town]. Thank you again for your kindness.
Sincerely,
[Your Names]
4. For a Guest Who Gave a Group Gift:
Dear [Group Name, e.g., "The College Crew" or list individual names if a small group],
Thank you all so much for coming to our wedding and for your incredibly generous group gift – the [name of gift]! We were absolutely thrilled and can't wait to [how you'll use it]. It was amazing to celebrate with all of you together.
We cherish your friendship and support.
Best,
[Your Names]
5. For a Guest Who Helped with the Wedding:
Dear [Name],
Thank you so much for being a part of our wedding day. We also wanted to give you an extra special thank you for [specific help they provided, e.g., "helping with the flower arrangements," "your beautiful reading during the ceremony," "keeping me calm before I walked down the aisle"]. It meant so much to us and we truly couldn't have done it without you.
We are so grateful for your support and friendship.
With heartfelt thanks,
[Your Names]
Tips for Success
- Be Prompt: Aim to send thank you notes within three months of the wedding.
- Be Personal: Use their names and refer to their specific gift or contribution.
- Be Sincere: Let your genuine appreciation shine through.
- Divide and Conquer: If you have a lot to write, split the list with your partner.
- Keep Track: Use a spreadsheet to track gifts received and notes sent. This is crucial!
Writing wedding thank you notes doesn't have to be a chore. Think of it as one last opportunity to connect with your loved ones after the big day and share your happiness. Good luck!