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How to Write a Thank You Note with Examples

The big day is over.  The rentals have been returned and all the vendors paid.  You’ve opened all the gifts and now it’s time to send out those thank you cards.  It would be easier to send out some emails or text messages but you know the best way is to hand write notes but the idea of hand writing notes to 100+ guests seems overwhelming.  It’s a lot of writing, no one will deny that, but it’s doable and with the knowledge of how to write a thank you note, the task is far less intimidating.

navy-harvest-thank-you-card-1

Start with the “Who”

Hopefully you did your prep work and already have a general list of all your guests and maybe even what gift they gave you.  You should also be sure to include anyone that did anything to help out such as planning, running errands, decorating or anything else related to the event.

“What” to Say

Writing a good thank you card isn’t rocket science. There is no need to use fancy wording or write anything good enough to get published.  The trouble most people have is trying to write too much or too little.   The most important thing to remember is to sincerely show how much you appreciate the gift or hospitality.

Start with a greeting.

  • Be sure to use the correct form and spelling just like on the invitations.
  • Dear Aunt Ellen and Uncle Denny,
  • Dear Robert and Jessica,

Express your thanks.

  • Thank you so much for…
  • I’m so grateful you were there when…
  • I appreciate the…
  • I am thankful for…

Add specific details.

  • Name the gift and why you are thankful.  Be specific (don’t just say “gift”) and briefly tell them how you plan to use or display their gift.
  • The money you gave us will help us make the needed updates to our kitchen that we’ll enjoy for years to come.
  • Being the go-to person on my wedding for questions allowed me to fully enjoy the day and not have to worry about anything.
  • Here’s a photo of the frame you gave us with one of our favorite wedding pictures hanging in our family room.

Add a closing statement that “looks” ahead.

  • This should be specific to the person you are thanking, not a generic phrase.  Mention the next time you may see them or let them know you are thinking of them.
  •  
  • We would love to have you over for dinner soon to see our new house.
  • We look forward to seeing you both when you are in town for the holidays.  Be sure to let us know ahead of time what your schedule is.
  • We look forward to seeing you at Julia’s birthday party in September.

Restate your thanks (optional) 

  • You can reiterate your thanks by adding details to thank them in a different way.
  •  
  • We felt so blessed that you made the trip to be with us on our wedding day.  We can’t wait to see you again soon.
  • Thank you again for your generosity.

Sign the note with your regards

Depending on your relationship with the person or people you are thanking, sign your name using:

  • Sincerely,
  • With Love,
  • Many thanks,
  • Yours Truly,

“When” to Send Them

 
It is always best to send out your thank you notes as quickly as possible.  For events like weddings or showers, a general rule of thumb is to send out the thank yous within a month after the event.  If you have passed that amount of time by a month or more, that is not an excuse to not send them at all.  It is always best to do it as soon as you can no matter how late they may be.

See below for a few examples:

Example 1:

 
Dear Emily and Justin,
 
Thank you so much for the beautiful crystal wine glasses.  You know how much we love our wine and now we have a complete set!  Josh and I are looking forward to your next visit so that we can enjoy a drink together.  Thank you again for your beautiful gift.
 
All the best,
Laura and Josh
 

Example 2:

 
Dear Aunt Lorraine and Uncle Rob,
Josh and I are so grateful for your generous gift.  We’re one step closer to the updates to our back deck that we plan to start in the spring.  It was so wonderful to have you with us to celebrate our wedding.  Thank you so much for making the trip.  We look forward to seeing you at Mom and Dad’s for Thanksgiving.
Much love,
Laura and Josh

Example 3:

 
Dear Sean,
Thank you for the cool backyard fire pit.  We have been so looking forward to fall for our wedding day and now we can look forward to spring so we can enjoy a fire in the back yard!  We are so fortunate to have such thoughtful friends.  We hope you’ll join us for s’mores when the weather warms up!  Thank you again for thinking of us and for celebrating this special time of our lives.
Much love,
Laura and Josh
Example 4:
 
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Jones,
 
Thank you for the lovely crystal vase.  It’s the perfect piece to add to our entryway.  I’ll be sure to keep on Josh to keep it filled with flowers.  My parents have spoken fondly of you for as long as I can remember.  Josh and I are looking forward to meeting you at the wedding next month.  Thank you for your kindness and for sharing this very special time in our lives.
 
Sincerely,
Laura and Josh
 

Example 5:

 
Dear Brittney and Jason,
Thank you for the colorful serving dishes.  They are so fun!  Every time we use them, we will think of you and remember this special time in our lives.  We give you many thanks for sharing in the joy on our wedding day.
 
Fondly,
Laura and Josh

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How to Write a Thank You Note (with Examples)

Writing a simple thank you note seems easy enough until you actually sit down to write one.  You don’t want to sound too generic but you don’t want to write a novel.  Follow our simple formula for writing the perfect (length) thank you note.