Before you relax in newly wedded bliss, there’s one all-important postwedding task you can’t overlook: writing thank-you notes. While these expressions of gratitude can feel formal and formulaic, we wondered how they might read if couples shared what they were truly thankful for. Read on for six guesses, plus expert etiquette on each topic.
Thanks for not getting drunk.
“Nobody wants to be the ‘Oops, I did it again’ person the day after the wedding. Keep the vibes high and the shenanigans low. We’re all here for good times, dancing, and celebrating—without any regrettable encounters as the result of being overserved!”
—Meaghan Cody, Sweet Pea Events
Thanks for RSVP’ing on time.
“It is essential to RSVP by the given deadline. Guests often don’t realize the amount of time and money put into every detail that all revolve around the final guest count—building a seating chart, table count, rentals, floral, meal selection. If it’s 10 to 14 days out and you haven’t RSVP’d, it’s too late to attend. If you RSVP’d yes and an emergency arises, reach out to a parent or someone else involved with the wedding—not the couple. Explain with an apology after the wedding, and send a nice gift.”
— Elizabeth Gonzalez, After Yes
Thanks for not bringing your kid.
“This is often a sensitive subject, as everyone has their own very strong opinion. Ultimately, you need to respect the wishes of the couple. For direction, look to the invitation details card or wedding website, where I encourage clients to plainly state whether children are welcome or not. I also advise clients that if they are expecting guests to travel with children, they may look into hiring a local babysitting service that can stay at the venue in a separate room.”
—Whitney Bailey, Engaged Events
Thanks for not posting photos before I did.
“Have a conversation with the couple about their social media preferences well before the wedding day. Ask if they’re comfortable with you sharing photos the day of or if they’d prefer a delay. For images of the bride in her gown, I always offer to wait until she’s posted something herself, giving her the space to share that special reveal.”
— Alexis Karis, Karis Concepts
Thanks for not wearing white.
“It’s still a big no-no to wear white to a wedding. Even if it’s ‘just a little’ white, err on the side of caution. When in doubt, if you have to ask, ‘Is this too (fill in the blank)?’, it probably is!”
—Jess Wegner, Jess Wegner Events
Thanks for respecting the registry.
“It is acceptable to buy off registry—but for the most part, it’s a bold move that should be taken thoughtfully. If your off-registry gift drips of ‘I know you this well,’ then by all means, blow their minds. But if your off-registry gift is more of a last-minute ‘I just remembered … ’ or reeks of thoughtless desperation, the answer is no.”
—Heather Wiese, etiquette expert and owner of Bell’INVITO
The post What Our Thank-You Notes Would Say if They were Honest appeared first on D Weddings.
