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Writing wedding thank you messages is one of the best ways to express to your friends and family that you love them and appreciate spending time with them at your wedding celebration. But at the same time, these sorts of notes can be tricky to write. Even at a destination wedding, where your entire invitation list is not always likely to show up, there are always a lot of thank-you notes to write.

How do you make every thank you note personal and heartfelt, especially when you have to write so many of them? We have compiled a comprehensive guide to writing the perfect thank you notes for wedding attendance or gifts.

This article will unpack some of the best thank you card wording and phrases that you can use, how you can best prepare for your notes, and even offer you some thank you card examples.

Why Thank You Messages Still Matter (Especially for Destination Weddings)

Your guests traveled, took time off, and budgeted for flights. That’s significant. Thank-you notes recognize that generosity. They reconnect you after the celebration. They also honor sponsors, hosts, and vendors whose work shaped your day.

When to Send Destination Wedding Thank-You Notes

Aim to send all notes within one to three months. You can send sooner after the honeymoon. If a gift arrives before the wedding, send that note within two weeks. If a guest left early, send their note promptly. Time your messages by relationship and format.

Who Gets What, and When to Send It

Recipient	Format	Timing Target	Notes
Guests who attended	Handwritten or photo card	4–8 weeks	Mention travel effort and a shared moment
Guests who sent gifts but didn’t attend	Handwritten or email	2–4 weeks from receipt	Acknowledge absence with warmth
Guests who attended, no gift	Handwritten or email	6–10 weeks	Thank them for making the trip
Wedding party	Handwritten	2–4 weeks	Add a personal memory and role
Parents & family sponsors/hosts	Handwritten	2–4 weeks	Emphasize support and hosting
Vendors (planner, photographer, etc.)	Email or card	2–4 weeks	Mention one result you loved
Late gifts	Same as above	Within 2 weeks of receipt	Reference the delivery date

Disclaimers: Timelines are guidelines. Cultural expectations vary. Always adapt to your context.

Who Should Get a Thank You Message?

You should write to all attendees, all gift givers, your wedding party, parents, and sponsors. You should also thank vendors who went above and beyond. Include anyone who helped behind the scenes: the planner, coordinator, photographer, and key staff. Keep your RSVP list handy for coverage.

Handwritten vs. Digital: What Format Is Best?

Match format to relationship and effort. Handwritten feels classic. Email and WhatsApp work for quick follow-ups or international contacts. Photo thank-yous are great for framing memories. Canva templates make personalization easy.

Pros and Cons

Format	Pros	Cons	Best Use
Handwritten note	Classic, keepsake	Slower, needs addresses	Close family, wedding party, sponsors
Photo card (printed)	Visual memory, display-worthy	Printing time and postage	Guests who traveled far
Email	Fast, trackable	Less formal	Vendors, international friends
WhatsApp / Digital card	Instant, global	Can feel casual	Travel buddies, peer groups
Canva template	Polished, easy edits	Print or export steps	Matching wedding brand

Thank You Note Writing Tips

Be specific. Name the gift or the effort.
Add one shared memory from the trip.
Use their name and yours.
Keep sentences short and sincere.
Mention how you’ll use the gift.
Close with warmth and your preferred names.

Thank You Wording Examples (By Situation)

For attending the destination wedding

“Thank you for traveling to celebrate with us in Punta Cana. Your presence made our day feel complete. We loved laughing with you at the welcome party. We’re grateful for your time and effort.”

For giving a gift (cash, household item, group gift)

“Thank you for the generous cash gift. We’ll use it for a chef’s table on our honeymoon. Your support means so much to us. We’ll share photos soon.”

“Thank you for the blender from our registry. We’ll think of you with every smoothie. We’re grateful you helped build our first kitchen together.”

“Thank you for joining the group gift. The framed print is perfect in our living room. We appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness.”

For guests who couldn’t attend

“Thank you for your sweet note and support. We missed you in Jamaica. We’ll send photos and a video link. Your love reached us from afar.”

For vendors / planners

“Thank you for guiding our timeline and handling every detail. The shaded ceremony setup was perfect for our older guests. We felt calm all day. We’ll recommend you to friends.”

For wedding party and family

“Thank you for standing with us, and for every late-night pep talk. Your toast made us cry happy tears. We’re thankful for your love and example.”

For gifts received late

“Thank you for the beautiful gift that arrived last week. We love it already. Your thoughtfulness extends our celebration.”

Cultural & International Etiquette

Respect cultural expectations on timing and formality. Some families prefer handwritten notes for elders. Others welcome digital messages. If you received cash, name how you’ll honor their gift. Use simple phrases in their language when appropriate.

Multilingual phrases:

Spanish: “Gracias por viajar para acompañarnos. Apreciamos mucho tu cariño.”
French: “Merci d’avoir voyagé pour célébrer avec nous. Votre présence nous a touchés.”
Tagalog: “Maraming salamat sa pagpunta at pagmamahal. Napakasaya namin kasama kayo.”

Tips For Thank You Notes for Wedding Attendance

Knowing how to write the perfect wedding thank you messages does not come easily to everyone. Luckily, we have a few suggestions and tips for you on how to start writing perfect wedding thank-you notes.

Plan Ahead

One of the best things you can do to write good thank-you notes is to plan ahead. When you are opening gifts at your reception or after the celebrations at home, make sure that someone, whether it be you or a maid of honor, for example, is making an organized list of what gifts came from which guests. Having this list ahead of time will make it much easier to write thank-you cards later since no one will struggle to remember where every gift came from.

Express Gratitude

When you consider your wedding thank you card wording, always make sure that you add the “thank you” itself. If you had a destination wedding, maybe you did not ask guests for gifts. You can always thank them simply for their attendance and company. If they did happen to give you a wedding present, always be sure to thank them for that, too.

Add A Personal Touch

To make sure every guest feels properly thanked, always try to add a personal touch to your thank-you cards. This can come in plenty of forms. You could mention something specific about the guest and about the time you spent together during the wedding festivities, or even another story or moment from your lives together. Make sure your loved ones all feel valued by you.

Wedding Thank You Card Wording

When it comes to wedding thank you messages, words and phrasing can play a huge part in how people receive your letter. The right language is important to make sure you get your point across and can properly express your gratitude.

For Attending:

When you are sending notes to your guests to thank them for joining you at your wedding celebration, here are a few thank you card examples of quality phrases that you could use:

We are incredibly grateful for your support and your time!
It was a gift to have you as a part of our celebration.
Your presence at our wedding means the world to us.
We are so thankful that you could be a part of our special day.

For Gifts:

When it comes to sending thank you notes for gifts, your language is likely to be a little bit different than if you are just thanking people for their time. Always make sure that you state exactly what the gift is and how you intend to use it. If you received a cash gift, be sure to tell your guest what the money will be used for. Here are a couple of phrasing examples that you might use:

Thank you so much for the crystal wine glasses. We cannot wait to have you over soon so we can all enjoy a drink together!
Thank you for your generous gift. We are now one step closer to completing our bathroom remodel in our new home!

Thank You Card Examples

Wedding thank you messages can be written in plenty of ways. What matters more than anything is making sure they feel true to you as well as being personal to each of your guests. To serve as inspiration, here is an example of what your thank you notes for wedding attendance might look like:

Dear friend or family member,

Thank you so much for joining us in celebration of our marriage! It is always such a joy to celebrate with you – you have always made my special days even more memorable, ever since we were kids together. Once we get back from the honeymoon, we are looking forward to another board game night with you. We are sure there will be plenty to catch up on!

Thank you again for being a part of our special day. We are so grateful to have you in our lives and we look forward to the many celebrations to come.

With love,

The Wedding Couple

Final Tips from Wedding Planners

Batch your writing by group: wedding party first, then attendees, then vendors.
Use a photo card for travelers. It acknowledges the journey.
Keep a simple script. Personalize one sentence per note.
If you’re late, still send. Gratitude doesn’t expire.

FAQs

When should I send thank-you notes after a destination wedding?
Send within one to three months. Start sooner for gifts received before the wedding. If you honeymoon right away, set one weekend to write. Use your tracker to batch messages and stay on schedule.

Do I have to send a note if someone didn’t give a gift?
Yes. Thank them for attending and traveling. Recognize their time and presence. If someone RSVP’d “no,” thank them if they sent good wishes or help. Gratitude builds goodwill either way.

Can I send thank-you messages via email or WhatsApp?
Yes, when appropriate. Use email for vendors or international friends. Use WhatsApp for travel groups or peers. For elders and sponsors, handwritten is best. A photo card works for everyone.

How long do I have to write wedding thank-you cards?
Aim for three months. Life happens. Send a heartfelt note whenever you can. Late is better than never. Acknowledge the delay briefly, then focus on appreciation.

What if I don’t remember who gave which gift?
Check your registry logs, cards, and photos of the gift table. Ask a trusted friend or family member for help. Be honest if you’re uncertain; thank them for their support and presence.

What should I say to guests who didn’t attend?
Thank them for the message or gift. Acknowledge their support. Share when you’ll send photos or a link. Keep the tone warm and inclusive. They’re part of your story, even from afar.

What’s a good thank-you note format for a group gift?
Address the group collectively, or send individual notes. Mention the gift and how you’ll use it. Reference the shared memory or trip. Sign both names and add a photo later.

How do I thank vendors like planners or photographers?
Be specific about what they did well. Name one moment they handled beautifully. Email is fine. A short card is even better. Positive reviews also help their business.

Do wedding party members get separate thank-you cards?
Yes. Write handwritten cards with a personal memory. Mention their role, time, and any expenses they covered. Express how their presence grounded you on the day.

Can I send one note per couple or family?
Yes. Address all names and personalize a line for them. Families appreciate one thoughtful card over separate, generic notes. Keep tone warm and inclusive.

Should I mention how I’ll use the gift?
Yes. It shows appreciation and intent. For cash, name the purpose: honeymoon meal, home upgrade, or savings goal. For items, say where it fits in your home.

Is it okay to use Canva or a printed photo thank-you?
Absolutely. It’s modern and memorable. Keep the design simple. Use a readable font. Include your favorite wedding photo and a short message.

What’s the best way to track who I’ve already thanked?
Use the CSV tracker. Update status, method, and dates. Batch writing sessions. Set weekly goals. Archive the file with your wedding documents.

Should I send thank-you notes before the honeymoon?
Optional. You can send early-gift notes before you leave. The rest can wait until you return. Schedule one weekend to finish them with fresh photos.

How do I write thank-you messages in another language?
Use simple phrases and your main message in English if needed. Add short lines in Spanish, French, or Tagalog. Keep tone sincere. Accuracy matters more than complexity.