Answer
Three Simple Rules

The three most important rules about thank you notes are as follows:

• Thank you notes are mandatory.
• Thank you notes need to be sent out in a timely manner (i.e., 4-6 weeks after the receipt of each gift).
• Thank you notes must be handwritten by the bride and/or groom.

I always recommend that brides do their best to keep up with thank you notes before the wedding, since the last thing you want is to come back from your honeymoon to a huge list hanging over your head! I find that the best time to write a thank you note is shortly after you open the gift. This way your delight and enthusiasm will come through in your writing.

What Does One Say?
A good thank you note includes the following:

• A mention of the gift by name (for money, you can say “generous check”).
• Specific comments about where and how the gift will be used (if it is money, describe how you plan to spend it).
• A line about how you hope to see the giver soon, or that you enjoyed seeing them at the wedding (use appropriate variations depending on the circumstances).

Don’t be afraid to let your personality show through...it makes the note fun to read and makes it clear that it’s sincere.

Timeliness Is Key
I have heard of a rumor that one can take a year to send thank you notes, but this is false. I believe this stemmed from an old rule that wedding guests had up to a year to send a gift. It’s easiest to think about it from the giver’s point of view. He or she is wondering whether the gift was received, and is eager for confirmation that you are pleased with it. The sooner your friends and family can be provided with this information, the better. If you write a few notes per day, you will be able to finish them in fairly short order, without overwhelming yourself. And remember, this is something your groom can and should help with!

Contact
For questions about this article, please contact:
Daria MacGregor ~ Circle of Love Weddings ~ 404-513-5037