September 4, 2007

The ABC's of Thank You Notes

Viewed as a chore by some and as a challenge by others, every bridal couple at one time or another has to put pen to paper and thank everyone for the gifts they have received.

For those that open gifts as they are received, it is an easy task to write them as they come in, instead of letting the gifts and the thank yous pile up.

For others, the tradition they follow calls for a formal "gift opening", where the sheer number of gifts to be opened in a short amount of time negate the ability to write as gifts are opened. Here are some simplifying ideas to shrink the task to a manageable level so you can get back to the honeymoon.

Keep good records. No matter which way you handle the opening of your gifts, good record keeping is essential to ensuring that the right gift giver is thanked for the right gift. A great job for one of your attendants at a gift opening, you can even have them right down the remark you made when you first saw the gift, to give you something to mention later in the note.

Don't forget to thank the giver for being a part of your wedding celebration and not just the gift. If the giftgiver traveled, took part in the ceremony, played a part in the reception, or just took the time to honour your union, make sure you thank them first for their attendance, before you thank them for their gift. It adds a personal touch they will be sure to notice.

Timeliness is just as important as the note itself. Wedding thank you notes should be sent out no later than four weeks after the wedding. If there is a delay at the printer's, or a delay getting the personalized wedding photo thank you cards, indicate that somewhere in your note, so people understand that it wasn't laziness or ungratefulness on your part that led to the tardiness.

It may be a lot of work, depending on the number of guests that were invited and the amount of gifts received, but handwritten notes are still the proper etiquette in this computer age. No matter what the gift is, or how much you like or dislike it, remember it is the thought that counts, and the thank you note pays tribute to that thought.

©2007 Weddingstar Inc.