Thoughtful Ways to Express Thankfulness at Your Wedding

It’s that time of year! Thanksgiving is here, providing a good reason to reflect on our many blessings. But a holiday certainly isn’t necessary to express our gratitude… Weddings are a year-round opportunity to show a little extra thankfulness for the people you love.

Our couples always amaze us with their kindness and thoughtfulness. We often get the same question from our brides: “What can I do to thank my guests?” Or, “What’s something special I can do to thank my _____ (mom/dad/sister/grandma)?”

Whether you want to thank the entire guest list, or simply spotlight that one special person… we’re here to help! Here are a few of our favorite ways to say “thank you” to the people who mean the most on your special day:

FOR ALL GUESTS

• Wedding Welcome Bags: Do you have a lot of out-of-town guests? Provide a thoughtful Welcome Bag for each guest upon arrival at their hotel. Most Welcome Bags include a few snacks, sweet treats, water or soda, and a couple of local goodies. You can also include a printed note thanking guests for traveling to be present on your special day.
• Program or Menu Note: Feel free to add a short note to your program or menu thanking guests for being part of your special day. Guests will appreciate the personalized touch!
• DJ Shout Out: Chat with your DJ about a shout out to your friends and family. He can include a big thank you to all the guests before introducing the newlyweds, or at the end of the night before the last song (or maybe even hand you the mic for a word of thanks!)
• Favors: Favors are the perfect token of gratitude for all your guests. Let guests take home a memento of your celebration, and be sure to attach a personalized little “thank you” tag.
• Handwritten Thank You Notes: Don’t be tempted to skip the thank you notes after the big day is over. A handwritten thank you note will never go out of style, and it is absolutely necessary. We know it may seem a bit daunting at first, but writing thank you notes won’t be as bad as you think! Order some pizza or pour some champagne and make a date-night out of it. You and your new spouse can tackle it together and be done in no time!

FOR SPECIAL LOVED ONES

• Day-Of Gifts: nothing says “thank you” like a thoughtful gift. Consider wrapping a sweet present for your groom, along with a heartfelt letter. You might also deliver a token of gratitude to your parents—a small gift or a thoughtful note will definitely make an impression.
• Ceremony Role: A small ceremony role is a wonderful way to honor a loved one. Ask them to be a reader, usher, or member of your house party.
• Raise a Toast: A toast is a great way to thank someone publicly for their love and support. The bride may wish to give a short toast to her parents (especially if her parents are hosting the wedding), or to someone who has particularly influenced her life (like a grandmother or sister).
• May I Have This Dance? Special dances aren’t limited to father/daughter and mother/son. You can plan for a moment on the dance floor with someone you love—perhaps a favorite sentimental song with your grandpa, or a funny dance with your brother. Have fun with it!
• Family Photos: Displaying framed photographs of your parents and/or grandparents is a lovely way to honor your heritage. And trust us, the grandparents love it!
• Honor Loved Ones Who Could Not Attend: Sometimes special loved ones are unable to attend your big day—elderly grandparents in particular may not be able to travel. If you’re missing someone on the big day, include a note at the ceremony: For those who could not travel to be with us today, but are celebrating in spirit. You can include this note on the program, or in a frame next to a memory rose. Save a program to send to them, and be sure to share photos!

Which one sounds like a good fit for your big day? We’d love to hear all about it and help you plan all the details. Get in touch so we can start planning!