When and how to send wedding thank-you cards
Timing, tone and some ready-made wording – so your thank-you is as personal as the day.
Mikaela & Houssem · 4 min read ·
After the wedding it's easy for the thank-yous to wait. But a few personal lines mean a lot to guests – and it doesn't take long if you do it in batches.
1. When should you send them?
Within two to three months of the wedding is right. You can thank people for gifts that arrive before the wedding straight away – then you don't have to keep track of them later.
2. Who should get a thank-you?
- Everyone who came to the wedding.
- Those who sent a gift or a greeting but couldn't come.
- Toastmasters, witnesses, bridesmaids and everyone who helped – ideally with an extra personal thank-you.
- Vendors who went above and beyond. A review often means just as much.
3. What should the card say?
- The guest's name – and ideally something personal, like a memory from the day.
- What you received, by name. “Thank you for the beautiful vase” feels warmer than “thank you for the gift”.
- How you'll use it, or what it means to you.
- A photo from the day, if you have one.
4. Paper or digital?
A handwritten card is still the most personal, especially for older guests. But a personal email or message with a photo is perfectly fine – what matters is that it's personal and not a mass mailing. Many do both: a shared thank-you with photos on the website, and a personal card to each guest.
5. Wording to borrow
Dear Eva! Thank you for celebrating with us – and for the beautiful vase. It's already on the kitchen table with flowers from the wedding. We'll remember your speech for a long time. Love, Anna & Erik
Dear Uncle Lars! We missed you at the wedding, but were so happy with your greeting and the gift card. We'll use it for a dinner and raise a glass to you. Warm wishes, Anna & Erik
Sara and Johan – without you the evening would never have flowed so beautifully. Thank you for all the planning, all the jokes and for keeping to time. We're forever grateful. Anna & Erik