Wedding Gifts: Thanking People Appropriately

By Author: Sarah McDermott
Total Articles: 143
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The list of people to thank after your wedding is not restricted only to those who give you gifts. In fact, writing out thank you notes to all those who need to be thanked can take up a lot of time after the wedding. To make it easier, begin writing notes as soon as you begin receiving gifts.

A handwritten thank you note on fine stationery is of the utmost importance. Don't send emails and don't buy pre printed think you cards that you only have to fill with your name, sign and mail. It's extremely tacky.

Make sure you write individual Thank You notes to those who presented you with gifts. If your friends pooled in some cash to buy you a gift, then all friends who were involved in pooling money for the gift should receive an individual Thank You note. Remember, handwritten is of the utmost importance, you cannot just call people over the telephone.

If guests make a gift of cash, thank them, and mention the amount they presented. Remember to include what you plan to use the money for. It will give them a sense of happiness that their gift has been so useful to you.

Bridesmaids deserve a special Thank ...
... You note, and a gift. It doesn't have to be an expensive gift, but try not be cheap about it. If you can afford to splurge on super expensive decorations and thousands of dollars on your own dress, your bridesmaids will find it strange that you could only afford a key chain as a gift!

Ushers and other members of your bridal party should each receive a handwritten Thank You note.

Whoever hosted a shower for you should receive an individual Thank You note. This should be done as quickly as possible, preferably within a couple of days of the event.

Make time to thank your suppliers, wedding planner, caterer or others who were involved at the wedding. You don't have to do this, and you're certainly not obliged to, but it gives them a terrific impression of you. If the band was in their element at the wedding, write them a note too.

Be generous in your praise of the gifts that you receive, but don't be fake about it. And most importantly, be quick. Contrary to popular expectation, you don't have a year in which to send out your thank you notes. Make sure your guests receive their notes within three months of the wedding or sooner.