Part 1: Thank You Notes
“The more grateful I am, the more beauty I see.” Mary Davis
The arrival of the month of November reminds us of the importance of gratitude. An attitude of gratitude quiets the noise, calms the chaos, and brings true joy to our experiences. Therefore, adopting an attitude of gratitude during your engagement and wedding seasons will have a noticeable impact on the outcome of your wedding day. And that’s why we’re inviting you to join RiverStone as we embark on this month of Thankfulness.
Throughout November, we’ll be posting content that focuses on the in’s and out’s of being thankful. Taking steps to express appreciation is a fundamental way to care for important relationships in our lives and acknowledge and reciprocate the kindnesses we have received. So we’re kicking things off with a discussion about Thank You Notes! Who gets them, when to send them, and how to write them… Let’s get started!!
Who Gets a Thank You Note?
- Anyone who hosts a party, shower, or special occasion
- Everyone who gives a gift Each gift that is given should receive a Thank You! This includes pre-wedding & shower gifts, wedding gifts, and monetary gifts & donations.
- Bridesmaids & Groomsmen
- Parents
- Anyone who financially contributes to the wedding
- Vendors, Ushers & Officiants
- Anyone otherwise involved in the setup, execution, and/or tear down of your event
When To Send a Thank You Note
When you receive a gift before your wedding… send a Thank You Note within 2-3 weeks.
When you receive a gift on or after your wedding… send a Thank You Note within 3 months.
You’ve probably been told that you have up to 1-year post-nuptials to complete your Thank You’s, but it is best etiquette to send a Thank You within 3 months of receiving a gift.
If you do get behind, don’t let it deter you from completing your Thank You’s. Remember, better late than never, when it comes to expressing your gratitude!
How To Write a Thank You Note
Tips…
Stock up on pens, cards, and Forever Stamps
Make sure that you have all necessary supplies handy so you’ll be ready to get to work whenever your schedule allows it.
Handwrite your Thank You’s
Take the time to hand write your Thank You’s. Customize your gratitude, and let your guests know that you value them enough to thank them personally.
Divide & Conquer
Enlist the help of your new spouse. This is a beautiful opportunity to begin your married life by reflecting gratitude together. Plus you will be more efficient if you multiply your efforts!
Templates…
Thank Them for Their Attendance
- Thank you for being an important part of our special day.
- We’re so grateful that you traveled so far to help us celebrate our marriage.
- It meant a lot to us that you were part of our big day.
- We enjoyed celebrating our wedding day with you.
- Thank you for sharing our wedding day with us.
- We are very thankful you could attend our wedding.
Thank Them for the Gift
Thank you for [insert gift]
Add an extra detail to personalize…
- We will put it to good use for …
- What a thoughtful/creative/generous gift!
- We can’t wait to use it for …
- It will help us build our new life together…
- We will always think of you when…
For monetary gifts and donations, we recommend that you do not explicitly state the amount of money that was gifted. Instead, thank them for their generosity, and share how you intend to use the money. For example…Thank you so much for your generous wedding gift. We are looking forward to applying it to the down payment for our new house, and we will think of you often as we build our new life together.
Acknowledge & Thank Them for the Relationship
- We are so lucky to have you in our lives.
- Your friendship enriches our lives, and we are so grateful for you.
- We can’t thank you enough for your kindness.
- You mean the world to us.
- We hope to see you again very soon.
- You are loved and appreciated.
- We are so grateful to have you as a friend/brother/neighbor etc.
