How to Write a Thank You Note

The wedding is over, you are home from the honeymoon and settling into your home and life together. Now there are still a few more wedding related tasks to tackle before you can put the biggest event in your life behind you. One of those tasks is writing thank you notes. In our society today, handwriting thank you notes is a lost art. Growing up, I learned how to write a thank you note in penmanship class but that no longer happens in public school. In case you were not taught the art and etiquette of the thank you note fear not, I am here to help and to hopefully make this as painless as possible.

How to Write a Thank You Note

Remember: Thank You Cards should be sent within 3 months of receiving the gift, the sooner the better. They must be handwritten and personalized. They take time so if you have a spot in your home where you can leave your supplies set up so that you can work on them over a few days time, it will make this task easier. I suggest setting a goal of writing 10-15 notes a day. Writing thank you notes is a tedious process and if you write too many at one time they become a bit insincere. Break up the task into manageable bites and it will be much easier on you.

Who Gets Thank You Notes?

• Everyone who gave you a gift or cash for your engagement, bridal shower or wedding.
• Everyone in your wedding party.
• Anyone who hosted a shower or party for you.
• The wedding hosts (your parents, his parents etc).
• People who help the day of the wedding-guest book attendant, the cousin who handed out the programs, the friend who set up chairs etc.
• Any friends who jumped in and went over and above to help make your wedding day special.
• Any vendors whose services were above your expectations.

Gather your Supplies

• Your note cards-You can use formal thank you cards, photo cards or, if you’re crafty handmade cards.
• A good pen, preferably black
• Your gift list
• Your wedding invitation list-for addresses
• A wet sponge
• Stamps
• A return address stamper or labels

Writing your Thank You Notes

1. Dear (insert name here)
2. Thank you so much for the (specific name of gift) or for cash (generous gift)
3. Let them know how you will or have used their gift-We have/plan to: buy a ____ with it/display it in our___/cook a___with it. 
4. Thank them for sharing your wedding day with you and tell them how much you appreciate their friendship/love/support.
5. Close with another thank you and sign it from both you and the groom.
6. Address the envelope, put a stamp on it and seal it.
7. Mark it off of your gift list and move on to the next one.

While this is geared towards wedding Thank You Cards, the process and sentiment is the same for any kind of thank you. I hope you found this helpful and if you don’t need this information right now, you may want to pin it for future reference.