Thank you notes are a necessary part of the wedding. Attending your wedding and/or giving you a gift are people's way of showing they appreciate you, and the thank you note is your way of saying you appreciate them in turn.

When to Send them and What to Include

Thank you notes should be sent within two weeks after returning from your honeymoon. Often, wedding thank you notes are included with photography or invitation packages. These cards are ideal, as thank you notes require a personal touch, which demonstrates that you have indeed received the gift and are grateful for it. If the person to whom you are addressing the card was a member of the wedding party or otherwise especially helpful, make sure and include that fact in your note. Remember, though, to keep it a note, not a letter.

How to Write a Thank You Note

Your first lines should thank the person for attending your special day, with special thank yous for services coming second. Finally, thank the guest for the gift. If you received a cash gift from a guest, let them know it has been put to good use. Likewise, if the gift was an item, thank them for it specifically and include a note of personal satisfaction- "Thank you for the utensil set. It matches our dishes and we will be sure to have it set it out on your next visit!" Not much else needs to be said, if you frequently see the person then you might want to include a statement about seeing them on a future occasion, and then wrap it up!

Wedding thank you notes are an unavoidable part of a wedding. They are also a very special way of acknowledging a guest's contribution to your special day.