Post-Wedding Etiquette: Tips for Being Gracious and Grateful
You did it. You’re married!
After months of planning and preparation, the big day finally came. You already know that being the bride or groom can be a lot of pressure, whether you like being the center of attention or not. Because you were the hosts, it’s important that you take time to remember the contributions of friends and family that helped your day run smoothly. To help you out, I’ve compiled a few tips for how you can be gracious and grateful hosts after the wedding day is over.
Keep track of your gifts
When unwrapping gifts, make a note about who each gift came from. If the majority of your gifts came from your wedding registry, this step will be a little bit more streamlined. But if not, assign your mom or maid of honor to be the note-taker and make a list of who gave you each gift. Some guests may give money; those donations should be noted as well. Not only is it heartwarming to see tangible evidence of the support and love you received, but this little trick will help take your thank you notes to the next level.
Send thank you cards to your guests.
This gesture is a guaranteed way to make your friends and family feel your gratitude for them. The note doesn’t have to be long, but try to make it feel personal. A great way to do this is to mention the specific gift or monetary donation they gave you, as well as how you plan to use it. It’s also a great idea to send a thank you to any vendors or photographers you hired. Regardless of who you are, it’s always nice to be remembered. Try to send out your thank yous as soon as possible after your wedding day.
Don’t forget about your wedding party!
Your bridesmaids and groomsmen are the ultimate support system; they definitely deserve some thanks as well. This is a great time to show your closest friends how much you appreciate them by sending a thank you gift. Take some time to think about an item that each person would appreciate. For your bridesmaids, maybe it’s a custom necklace with their initial on it or a handwritten letter. For the groomsmen, think about a pair of sunglasses or a cool tie. Whatever you choose, let it be a reflection of your unique relationship with them.
Leave a review for your vendors
Speaking of your vendors, now is the time to let them know how they did! Many wedding vendors are small businesses who thrive on customer feedback. If your photographer or cake decorator did an amazing job, don’t be shy about spreading the word! In addition to sending them a personalized thank you, leave their business a public review. Doing so will help the vendor’s business and other couples who are planning their wedding. After all, good reviews make the world go round!
I hope these ideas were helpful! What would you add to this list?