Thank You Cards: the Details

So you've returned from your fabulous honeymoon and all of your wedding gifts have been opened. Everything went according to plan and your wedding day was more beautiful than you ever thought possible. But there is one thing left to do – the thank you cards. They're such a simple concept. The wording doesn't have to be perfect, just heartfelt.

Bridal Fantasy has put together a guide to help you out with what a lot of couples think is a very daunting task. If done right, thank you cards can be something you enjoy instead of a chore.

Do you remember the guest list you made up with all of your guests names and addresses? Keep that list after you send out invitations. If you had a gift opening (also called an open house), then your maid of honour should have written down all the gifts you received and who they came from. This can be done as a separate list, although some couples will write it in the card. We recommend the first option. If you've waited until after the honeymoon and opened up your wedding gifts at home, you will need to make this list.

Set up a designated writing area and make sure it's comfortable, with lots of room for writing. Get some good pens for writing – roller ball ones are a lot smoother and don't leave the huge globs of ink like some of the cheaper brands do. Pick out some great stationary for your thank-you cards. A lot of people get thank you cards from the same place they got their invitations so they can match, but you can choose whatever you like. Why not get some thank you cards monogrammed with your new initials (only for gifts you received after the wedding)!

If possible, you want to write thank you notes as soon as gifts start arriving. This means any gifts you received before your wedding. The general rule for thank you cards: before the wedding, get them out within two weeks of receiving; after the wedding, within one month after you return from the honeymoon. Obviously the sooner you can get them out the better.

Be sure to mention each gift specifically – say "the wonderful crystal wine glasses" instead of "the glasses" or "your gift". This makes each card a little more personal, and helps keep you from getting confused. If the gift was money, mention how you plan to use it. "Mike and I are saving for a new car, and thanks to your gift, we will be doing test drives soon!"

Split up the work! In the past, thank you cards were typically written by the bride. These days, there is no reason why the groom shouldn't pitch in as well. He will be using and enjoying these gifts as well! The exception here is gifts from the bridal shower. If you had a couples' shower, both of you should write thank you notes. If it was just for the bride, then you should write the thank you notes. Again, these should be done as quickly as possible, with the list you made at the shower of who gave what.

You may want to write more personal thank you's to close family and friends, but you don't have to spend a lot of time trying to be creative or witty. A few well-written sentences that come from the heart is really all that is needed.