What to Write in Wedding Thank-You Cards for Every Type of Gift

After your wedding day, you'll want to soak up all the newlywed bliss with your S.O.—and we don't blame you. But there are a few important postwedding tasks to complete before you officially leave the wedding to-do's behind, like sharing your gratitude with guests. Wedding thank-you card wording can be a little confusing, especially when nontraditional gifts like cash, experiences and gift cards are involved. That's why we're breaking down exactly what to write in your wedding thank-you cards for every type of gift and guest below.

Loved ones will shower you with presents in the months before and after your big day, so it's important to express your gratitude by sending thank-you notes promptly. That said, we totally understand if you're struggling to find the right words—it's not every day your nearest and dearest put everything on hold to celebrate with you! To help you get a jump start, we're sharing 11 wedding thank-you card wording examples (and a super-helpful template) that follow the correct thank-you note etiquette, which you can copy verbatim (you're welcome). Use these samples to cut down on your writing time and get your cards in the mail ASAP.

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In this article:

• How to Write Wedding Thank-You Cards
• Wedding Thank-You Card Wording Template
• Wedding Thank-You Card Message Examples

Photo: The Knot Invitations

How to Write Wedding Thank-You Cards

Before you pull out your fanciest pens and glossy stationery (ahem, The Knot Invitations has hundreds of beautiful designs), brush up on how to write a wedding thank-you card. A note of gratitude for a wedding gift is similar to any other thank-you message you'd write. But, if you need a few pointers before getting started, we've got you covered. Read up on our top tips right here.

Handwrite your notes

Wedding gift thank-you notes should always be handwritten for one simple reason: it shows you took the time to personally write a thoughtful message. Typing or emailing your thank-you notes can seem impersonal and, in some cases, recipients may even find it rude. Since handwriting thank-you messages for every single wedding guest will take a significant amount of time, there's no need to write a novel for each person. In fact, there are no specific rules about the length of your wedding thank-yous. However long it takes you to express your gratitude is sufficient—a short and simple message can go a long way.

Prepare everything in advance

Working on wedding thank-you notes can actually be fun, especially if you buy good tools that get you excited to write. First, choose a thank-you card design that represents you as a couple. Then, treat yourself to a high-quality pen. Believe it or not, a good rollerball or fountain pen will do wonders for penmanship. Stick with blue or black ink and make sure it won't smear or bleed through your note cards. Finally, don't forget to stock up on plenty of stamps so they're ready to mail right away. In addition to stationery supplies, have your wedding gift tracking system on hand for easy reference.

Use discretion when acknowledging cash gifts

You might wonder what the proper wedding thank-you card wording is for a cash gift. In the past, it was deemed inappropriate to mention the amount of money you received in a thank-you card for a cash gift, but that isn't the case today. Some etiquette experts say that writing the number confirms that you received the correct amount in full. Use your judgment to determine what feels right based on your relationship with the guest when it comes to writing your thank-you message.

One thing you should definitely include in a wedding thank-you card for a cash gift, though, is exactly how the money will be used. Guests want to know that their gift will be appreciated, so explain if the cash donation will go to a home renovation project, a puppy fund or memorable date-night experiences. If you've specifically registered for honeymoon funds, share what kind of activities you will (or did) put the money toward.

Photo: The Knot Invitations

Work in batches

When it comes to sending thank-yous, earlier is always better. For gifts received before the wedding, it's recommended to send thank-you notes within two weeks. Then, for items received after the big day, aim to send thank-yous within three months. Since writing wedding thank-you messages can be time-consuming, don't try to get them all done in one sitting. Instead, set aside 30 minutes or so every night to tackle your wedding thank-you card list.

The best way to finish this task efficiently is to divide and conquer. Some couples separate the list down the middle, while others prefer to write thank-you cards to their extended family who may not know their S.O. as well. (No matter how you divvy up the responsibility, though, it is important to sign both of your names at the end of the card.) Do whatever works best for you and your partner, but send thank-yous as you receive gifts to cut down on your postwedding to-do list.

Address them properly

Not sure how to address wedding thank-you notes? The interior of the card can be informal. If you're sending the card to an entire family or a couple, address each member who attended your wedding (and signed the card or gift tag) by name. It's perfectly fine to address guests by their first names. Ultimately, you should do what feels right based on your relationship with them.

On the exterior of the wedding thank-you card envelope, address guests the same way you addressed your wedding invitations. It's best to also handwrite the addresses, though you can use preprinted return address labels on the back flap to save some time as you seal up each card.

Wedding Thank-You Card Wording Template

Wedding thank-you note wording can be as short or as long as you'd like, but regardless of whether you could write a full essay about how much you adore your new KitchenAid mixer or not, there are a few things you definitely should include in your message. Of course, you can always add extra flourishes on thank-you notes for your parents, wedding party members and other close-to-you guests. And don't forget to imbue a little bit of your personality as a couple into your words. All that considered, here's a template of how you can compose your thank-you notes to cover all of the bases:

• "Dear" followed by the recipient's name or names—if your note is going to multiple people
• "Thank you for" followed by the specific item they gifted you
• How you intend to use the item or how you've used it so far
• A sentence about how much you loved celebrating alongside them at your wedding (or how you excited you are to celebrate with them, if you're sending this note before the big day)
• A "thank you again" phrase to cap things off
• A thoughtful sign off followed by both you and your partner's names

Wedding Thank-You Card Message Examples

If you're wondering what to say in wedding thank-you cards, look no further. We've outlined wedding thank-you card templates for the most common gift scenarios below. Go ahead and copy these wedding thank-you card messages word for word—just be sure to add your own personal touch to make your salutations feel thoughtfully tailored to each recipient. It's wedding thank-you card wording made simple.

• Saying Thanks for a Registry Gift
• Saying Thanks for Money
• Saying Thanks for a Cash Fund Contribution
• Saying Thanks for a Gift Card
• Saying Thanks for a Charitable Donation
• Saying Thanks for a Group Gift
• Saying Thanks for an Off-Registry Gift
• Saying Thanks for a Gift You Don't Love
• Thanking Guests You Don't Know Well
• Thanking Those Who Couldn't Attend
• Thanking Someone Who Didn't Give a Gift

Saying Thanks for a Registry Gift

Most guests will use your registry to buy a wedding gift, so you'll likely have an easy time explaining how excited you are to receive something off your wish list. Here's what to write in a wedding thank-you message for a gift selected directly from your registry.

Dear [guest names],

Thank you so much for the crystal wine glasses. We now have a complete set—and you know how we love our wine! We're looking forward to your next visit, when we can enjoy a drink together. Thank you again for thinking of us!

All the best,

[Your names]

Saying Thanks for Money

If a guest gifted you money for you to spend or save as you please, be sure to let the gifter know how you might use their generous gift (going toward a future house, honeymoon and so on). Here's how to thank guests for a cash wedding gift.

Dear [guest names],

We are so grateful for your generous gift. We're one step closer to the kitchen remodel we've been dreaming of and plan to start this spring. It was so wonderful to have you celebrate alongside us at the wedding—thanks for making the trip. Looking forward to seeing you at [the next occasion you'll be together].

Much love,

[Your names]

Saying Thanks for a Cash Fund Contribution

Choosing to add cash funds to your wedding registry is a great way for guests to feel more comfortable giving you cash over a physical gift, since they'll know exactly where their dollars are going. You can register for cash for just about any activity that fits your lifestyle, making it a versatile (and meaningful) gift idea.

Dear [guest names],

We are so grateful for your generous contribution to our honeymoon fund. We'll think of you as we enjoy our zip-lining excursion in Aruba! We can't wait to see you again soon—and thank you for helping us celebrate our big day.

Sincerely,

[Your names]

Saying Thanks for a Gift Card

Gift cards are such an easy option for guests. Like a cash gift, it's a nice touch to mention what you'd like to use the gift card for in your note. Use this simple wedding thank-you card idea as inspiration for any kind of gift card.

Dear [guest names],

Thank you so much for the Airbnb gift card. You know we're always looking forward to our next adventure and this generous gift will help us plan the cross-country road trip we've been dreaming of. It was so great to celebrate with you at our wedding. We can't wait to see you again soon!

Much love,

[Your names]

Saying Thanks for a Charitable Donation

Guests will already feel good about contributing their wedding-gift money to a charitable organization, but a thoughtful message explaining how much the particular organization means to you will bring on even more good energy.

Dear [guest name],

We're so thankful for your generous contribution to the ASPCA. This organization has such a special place in our hearts, since we're proud parents of two rescue pups. We're so grateful our wedding day can give back in a meaningful way. We can't wait to celebrate with you soon!

All the best,

[Your names]

Saying Thanks for a Group Gift

Some guests may band together and invest in a big-ticket registry item as a group gift. If you receive one, send each person who contributed their own individual thank-you note. Here's exactly how to word a thank-you message for each of those wedding guests.

Dear [guest name],

Thank you for the awesome backyard fire pit. We were counting down the days until our wedding, and now we can count down until summer! We're so lucky to have such thoughtful friends. S'mores soon? Thank you again for thinking of us and helping us celebrate this happy time in our lives.

Fondly,

[Your names]

Photo: The Knot Invitations

Saying Thanks for an Off-Registry Gift

Some guests might shop off-registry for your wedding gift. If that's the case, it's still necessary to thank them for their generosity. Use this wedding thank-you card template for an unexpected present.

Dear [guest name],

We are so grateful for your generous gift. We love getting creative in the kitchen, so we'll think of you every time we use this knife set. Thank you so much for joining us on our wedding day and helping us celebrate this special time in our lives.

All the best,

[Your names]

Saying Thanks for a Gift You Don't Love

Even if you received a wedding gift you don't love, it's still important to send a thank-you message to the guest. It's the thought that counts—right? Use this wedding thank-you card example to respond graciously.

Dear [guest name],

Thank you for the colorful serving bowls—so fun! Every time we look at them we will think of you and remember this special time in our lives. Many thanks for sharing in our joy on our wedding day.

Fondly,

[Your names]

Thanking Guests You Don't Know Well

If you received a gift from a guest who's an acquaintance or a friend of a close family member, here's the perfect wedding gift thank-you card wording.

Dear [guest name],

Thank you for the absolutely beautiful crystal vase. It's perfect for our entryway—I will nudge [spouse's name] to keep it filled with flowers. My dad has spoken so fondly of you over the years and we look forward to seeing you at the wedding in a few weeks. Thank you for your kindness and for sharing in this exciting time in our lives.

Sincerely,

[Your names]

Photo: The Knot Invitations

Thanking Those Who Couldn't Attend

There are a few reasons why a guest may have been unable to attend your wedding, from illness to unavoidable family or work commitments. Even though they weren't there to watch you say "I do," some guests will still send their well-wishes, if not a thoughtful wedding gift. If you received a gift, you should send a wedding thank-you message regardless of whether or not they made it on the day.

Dear [guest name],

Thank you so much for the super-soft bath towels. [Spouse's name] and I have started referring to our bathroom as "the spa," that's how luxurious they are. We missed you at the wedding and hope to celebrate with you in person soon.

With love,

[Your names]

Thanking Someone Who Didn't Give a Gift

While giving a wedding gift is encouraged, it's not a requirement. Similarly, it's not mandatory to send a thank-you card to a guest who didn't give a gift. Though, sending a thank-you note is still a nice gesture for anyone who traveled a long distance to attend the wedding or offered their support in other ways. Note that your thank-you note shouldn't be used as a reminder to send a gift—it's only to thank guests for their time and support.

Traditional etiquette indicates that guests technically have up to one year after the wedding to send you a gift. Since thank-you messages should be sent within three months of your wedding date, include notes for those who didn't send a gift in your last batch.

Dear [guest name],

Thank you so much for celebrating our wedding day with us. It was so great to have you by our side as we welcomed the next chapter in our lives. We hope to see you again soon!

Sincerely,

[Your names]