Thank You Cards and Invites

In the thrill and excitement of an impending honeymoon, many couples just forget about thank you cards. This is not fair. These cards are important as it is your duty to thank your guests for their gifts in a personal, handwritten letter. Although in vogue at present, emailing a general thank you lacks the warmth of the personal touch and should be avoided if possible. Tradition demands that thank you cards should be sent within two to three weeks after you receive the gift. In case you find it tough to acknowledge the hundreds of gifts you have received in a timely manner send some general acknowledgement card to each gift-giver, but never forget to follow it up with a personal note soon after.

The quality of paper is a key factor especially in free thank you cards. You should choose a card stock weighing between 25-30 lbs. Remember that folded notes are the most appropriate style for these notes. It is even better if you ask for engraved or printed stationery, personalized with your names on the cards and your address on the envelopes. Although a little more expensive, these are elegant as well as convenient. Both the bride and the groom should sign the note. Use a good pen and write legibly on the thank you cards. Mention how happy you were for their presence in your celebration. If they failed to attend, tell them how much you missed them.

You should send out formal wedding invitations about 8-12 weeks before the D-Day because your guests need enough time to plan their travel and accommodation. You can also send save the date cards to let them mark off the date in their calendar. Try to avoid affixing labels to your wedding invitation envelops as they look far less personal than you want them to be. Try to theme the save the date cards, wedding invitations and thank you cards where possible.

It is always better to hand-address the invite or, if the purse permits, hire a calligrapher to handle the project. It is not proper to include information about gifts in the wording. However, some couples these days include announcement of gift registries as inserts with their invitations. If you don’t prefer receiving gifts, rely on word of mouth rather than printing “No Gifts Please” on the invitation. Other unpleasant decisions like avoiding children at weddings should also be left to word of mouth. You should also address your envelopes in a proper manner. Avoid using nicknames in the address.

The etiquette rules often seem overwhelming; so it makes sense to treat them as guidelines or recommendations. Especially for elements like the thank you cards it is not compulsory that you should abide by all the rules. You can avoid those that do not suit you, but it is better if you do not discard them lock, stock and barrel.

Bride and groom looking to plan your wedding online? Jen Carter, owner of My Wedding Blog, offers free information on wedding planning.