When you and your spouse have danced the last dance, you might think that the work associated with your wedding is over. Well, not so fast. The ceremony and the reception may be done and over with, but there’s one final task left that no couple should ever skip: writing wedding thank you cards.
Your guests took the time to spend your wedding day with you; many came bearing gifts. When it’s all over, wedding thank you cards are your opportunity to show appreciation to your friends and family members for all they did to make your big day extra special.
But if text messages are your preferred method of communication, lengthier missives like thank you notes can be a bit scary. What’s the thank you card etiquette for group gifts? What do you say to someone you don’t know very well? We’ve put together a guide to answer all your burning questions, with templates and wording ideas to help you wrap up this last (but certainly not least) item on your checklist.
Writing Tips
Before you flex your fingers in anticipation of doing some of your finest penmanship, here are some things to keep in mind before putting words on paper.
- Get organized. This is your key to getting those thank you cards out and keeping your stress to a minimum. Make a list of the thank you cards you need to send out and check each one off as you go. If your preference is a little more high-tech, a spreadsheet works too (pro tip—keep your guest list on file when you send out invitations and start from there!).
- Don’t put it off. Once the hubbub of your wedding ceremony is over, you’ll probably want to take a few beats to relax and enjoy your newly wedded bliss. But wedding etiquette requires that these tokens of appreciation reach the gift-giver sooner than later.
- Share the work. Getting married means that you’ve got a partner for everything. This includes life’s administrative tasks, for better or worse — so divide and conquer.
- Be specific. The last thing you want to do after receiving a thoughtful gift is to make your wedding guests feel like their thank you card is a copy-and-paste effort. To give each one a personal touch, mention the specific gift you received and share your plans for said gift. If the KitchenAid mixer will live on your counter or you’re looking forward to braising something delicious in your new Dutch oven, tell them as much; they’ll appreciate it.
- Stick to your theme. Consider ordering cards that match your wedding invitations and the overall theme of your wedding. As an added bonus, you’ll have them ready and waiting for you when the time comes to get writing.
- Don’t leave anyone out. Whether you receive a group gift or a wedding gift from a couple, be sure to mention everyone by name. You never know who came up with the winning idea.
- Specify how monetary gifts will be used. It’s worth noting that there are two schools of thought when it comes to mentioning the specific amount received as a cash gift or gift card. Some say to mention the amount so the giver knows you received what they intended, while others say it’s poor form to state the dollar value. Ultimately, we say go with your gut. But whether you mention the value or not, let the gift giver know how their generous gift will be used. It would probably make them happy to know that their gift is going toward something fun like your honeymoon fund.
- Handwrite your cards. Your guest spent their time and money to be in attendance on your special day, so it’s important that your thank you card has a personal touch — literally. Handwriting is not only personal, it also shows guests you’ve put time and thought into acknowledging their generosity.
- Manage the task. If you had a big wedding, sending out hundreds of handwritten thank you cards can feel a bit daunting. Since each card should be well thought-out and specific to the recipient — which can be taxing on a good day — work in batches if you need to.
- Leverage technology. One of the most efficient ways to get through your list of people to thank is with a boost from an AI assistant. After creating a wedding registry through Joy, users can tap into time-saving features like the ability to manage thank you notes and have an AI auto-generate a simple draft to get you started. Writer’s block, be gone!
Types of Notes and Thank You Card Wording Examples
Thank you cards are a great opportunity to show your appreciation to your guests for sharing your special day. If you’re stuck on the right card wording, here are some ideas and templates to get your creative juices flowing.
Thank You Note for a Registry Gift
If an item made it to your wedding registry, you clearly wanted it. Make sure the gift-giver knows how important it was to you.
Example:
Dear [Guest’s Name],
Thank you so much for the personalized charcuterie board! [Partner’s Name] and I are excited to get creative with this generous gift. We’d love to have you over soon so you can see it on our table. Thank you again for being a part of our special day.
Best,
[Your Names]
Thank You Card for a Cash Registry Contribution
If your guest chose to make a cash registry gift — contributing to a down payment on your new home, for example — be sure to thank them with a nod to how their generosity will help your future as newlyweds.
Example:
Dear [Guest’s Name],
Thank you so much for making a contribution to our cash registry. Next milestone: our dream home! We’ll be thinking of you when we sign on the dotted line. Thank you again for coming to our wedding and celebrating with us.
Best,
[Your Names]
Thank You Note for a General Cash Gift
If you skipped the cash registry and Uncle Marvin brought a check to your wedding or cousin Martha mailed one to you anyway, make sure your thank you card acknowledges the gift specifically. And don’t forget to let them know how you’ll use it.
Example:
Dear [Guest’s Name],
Thank you so much for sharing our wedding day with us and for the incredibly generous gift. We’ll think of you as we enjoy our first dinner as newlyweds at our favorite restaurant!
Best,
[Your Names]
Thank You Idea for a Gift You Didn’t Register For
Even if you have a wedding registry, some people have a favorite go-to gift for newlyweds. It’s still important to thank them for their thoughtfulness and generosity.
Example:
Dear [Guest’s Name],
Thank you so much for the [item]. We didn’t even think about adding this to our registry! What a great idea — it will make a wonderful addition to our home. Thank you again for being part of our special day.
Best,
[Your Names]
Thank You Message for a Charitable Donation
There’s probably no other time in your life when you’re likely to feel so grateful for all that you have and all that life has given you. For that reason, many couples choose to show their gratitude by giving back.
Example:
Dear [Guest’s Name],
Thank you so much for your generous contribution to [Charity Name]. This organization is near and dear to our hearts, and we’re thrilled to be able to give something back in a meaningful way. Thank you again for celebrating our big day with us!
Best,
[Your Names]
Thank You Card for a Gift From a Guest Who Didn’t Attend
Some of your guests may not make it to your wedding due to illness, financial concerns or work-related commitments. And while they may not have been in attendance, they may send a gift along with their good wishes, so be sure to thank them, too.
Example:
Dear [Guest’s Name],
Thank you so much for the espresso machine! [Partner’s Name] and I are coffee connoisseurs who love savoring that first cup of the morning. We’re sorry we missed you at the wedding, but hope to see you soon!
Best,
[Your Names]
Thank You Wording Idea for a Group Gift
If you receive a group gift (this is quite common with high-priced items), each person or household should receive a card. Just be sure that your thank you message acknowledges the group effort.
Example:
Dear [Guest’s Name],
Thank you so much for the yearlong subscription to Hello Fresh. Only our closest friends know that neither of us can cook! We can’t wait to have you all over for dinner — once we’ve polished our skills, of course. We’re so lucky to have such great friends, and we were over the moon that you could celebrate the big day with us.
Best,
[Your Names]
Thank You Note for a Gift From Someone You Don’t Know Well
With big weddings, you may receive a gift from someone you don’t know well. Whomever it is — a distant cousin, a great aunt or your dad’s business partner — it’s still important to send a thank you card. When you do, be sure to mention the person you have in common or the relationship, however loose.
Example:
Dear [Guest’s Name],
Thank you for the gorgeous wine decanter. It will look lovely on our bar cart. We’re so glad you could make it to the wedding. My dad has shared some great stories over the years, and [Partner’s Name] and I were so happy to finally meet you in person!
Best,
[Your Name(s)]
Thank You Card for a Guest Who Didn’t Bring a Gift
While wedding gifts are customary, they’re not mandatory. That means you may have folks on your guest list who join in on the celebration without bringing a gift or those who simply opt for a card with their good wishes. Sending a card thanking them for their presence is never a bad idea.
Example:
Dear [Guest’s Name],
Thank you for taking the time to celebrate our special day with us. Your smiling face and those incredible dance moves brought a smile to our faces. We hope to see you again soon!
Best,
[Your Names]
Thank You Message for a Close Family Member
Your thank you cards to close family members may look a bit different than others on your guest list. These people probably did some of the heavy lifting to bring the dreams of your big day to life. Whether it was their help with the wedding planning, providing emotional support or hosting the rehearsal dinner, be sure to thank them for their contribution accordingly.
Example:
Dear [Guest’s Name],
We thank you for your love and support from the bottom of our hearts. You helped us make our dreams come true, and the day wouldn’t have been the same without you. [Partner’s Name] and I look forward to making even more happy family memories with you!
All our love,
[Your Name(s)]
Thank You Card for a Member of the Wedding Party
Like your family members, the members of your wedding party played a huge role in your wedding planning and likely tended to more than a few details of the day. So be sure to thank them for their specific contributions and let them know how much you appreciate their support.
Example:
Dear [Member of Wedding Party],
Thank you so much for being a part of our wedding. Your love and friendship mean the world to [Partner’s Name] and me. Your smiling face made the day extra special. We were so happy to have you by our side and look forward to seeing you soon!
All our love,
[Your Names]
Thank You Note For People Who Traveled to See You
Chances are your guest list will include a few people from out of town. While expressing gratitude for their gift, be sure to also thank them for making the trip.
Example:
Dear [Guest’s Name],
Thank you so much for making the trip to celebrate our wedding day. It meant so much to [Partner’s Name] and me that you traveled all the way from California just for us. We hope you had as much fun as we did!
Best,
[Your Name(s)]
Thank You Note For People Who Got You a Gift You Don’t Love
If your guest went off-script and bought a gift you don’t love, you still need to send a thank you card. You don’t have to rave about a gift you don’t love, but you should still find something positive to say.
Example:
Dear [Guest’s Name],
Thank you for the salad spinner! It’s been a long-time goal of ours to eat healthier, so we’ll be thinking of you as we start our new meal-prep routine. Thank you again for sharing our special day!
Best,
[Your Names]
Thank You Note for Your Wedding Vendors
Wedding vendors do the lion’s share of the work to make your big day a success. While you’ve paid them for the job, it’s not uncommon to develop a relationship with them. Whether it’s your wedding planner, the creative visionary who took your stunning wedding photos or your florist, a thank you card might be a nice way to show them some extra appreciation and close out the chapter.
Example:
Dear [Vendor Name],
Thank you so much for helping us bring our wedding day dreams to life. Our wedding photos are absolutely stunning! It was such a pleasure working with you. Not only did you make our day extra special, but you’ve also given us a way to look back on this day for years to come..
Best,
[Your Names]
