Creating Personalized Postcard Wedding Thank-Yous

Creating your own postcard wedding thank-you cards is a great way to show your guests how much you appreciate them. It's a thoughtful gesture that your guests will surely appreciate. In this guide, we'll cover everything from planning ahead to personalizing your messages, so you can create heartfelt and memorable thank-you cards that reflect your appreciation for your guests' presence and well-wishes on your special day.

Choosing a postcard design

When choosing a postcard design for your wedding thank-you cards, it's important to consider the overall style or theme of your wedding. This will help create a cohesive look for your wedding stationery. Here are some tips and ideas to help you choose the perfect postcard design:

• Match your wedding invitations: One option is to choose thank-you postcards that match or complement your wedding invitation design. This can create a consistent look and feel throughout your wedding stationery suite. Consider using the same colour scheme, font, or motif that you used for your invitations.
• Monochromatic designs: For a sleek and elegant look, you can opt for monochromatic postcard designs. This could mean using different shades of a single colour or creating a black-and-white postcard. This style can be especially effective if your wedding had a minimalist or modern aesthetic.
• Floral designs: If you're looking for something more whimsical and romantic, floral designs are always a popular choice for weddings. You can choose from a variety of floral styles, including vintage florals, elegant watercolour florals, or playful and colourful illustrations.
• Photo postcards: Another idea is to feature a photo on your thank-you postcards. This could be a photo of the happy couple, a wedding photo, or even a personalised photo for each guest. This option adds a special touch and makes each postcard unique.
• DIY-style designs: For a more casual or handcrafted feel, consider DIY-style postcard templates. These might include hand-drawn elements, collage-style layouts, or playful fonts. This approach can be especially charming if you're looking to inject some personality into your thank-you cards.
• Colour schemes: When choosing a design, consider the colour scheme that will best reflect your wedding's style or theme. Soft pastels tend to evoke a romantic and whimsical atmosphere, while bold colours can make a modern or vibrant statement. You can also use colours to symbolise the season of your wedding, such as deep reds and oranges for autumn or light blues and yellows for spring.
• Personalisation: Many online platforms offer customisation options, allowing you to personalise your chosen template. You can change the colour scheme, add your own text, and even include monograms or photos. This way, you can create a design that truly feels like a natural extension of your wedding motif.

Creating a spreadsheet

Guest Information

Start by creating a spreadsheet that includes all your wedding guests' names and addresses. This will come in handy not only for sending thank-you cards but also for sending out invitations. Keep this document updated, making changes as needed if any guest information changes. You can also include additional columns in your spreadsheet to make the thank-you card process smoother.

Gift Information

Add columns to your spreadsheet to track any gifts received from each guest. This will help you personalize your thank-you messages by mentioning the specific gift they gave you. You can also add a column for notes, where you can jot down meaningful cards, shared moments during the reception, or any other details you want to reference in your thank-you cards.

Thank-You Card Status

Another useful column to add to your spreadsheet is a column to track whether a thank-you card has been sent to each guest. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you don't accidentally skip anyone. Mark each guest's row as you send out their thank-you card.

Open and Note Gifts Systematically

When opening wedding gifts, it's easy to get excited and want to tear through them all at once. However, for the sake of your spreadsheet and thank-you cards, it's important to be methodical. Sit down with your partner and take note of each gift, recording the sender and gift details in your spreadsheet. Taking a photo of each gift is also a great idea, so you can easily refer back to the details when writing your thank-you notes.

Write Thank-You Cards in Batches

After the wedding, you'll likely have a long list of people to thank. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, schedule dedicated time slots to work on writing your thank-you cards. Write them in batches, and don't try to tackle them all at once. Divvy up the task with your partner, and reward yourselves afterward with a romantic night in!

Writing the cards

Plan ahead

Set aside some time after your wedding to write your thank-you cards. It's best to send them out within three months of your wedding. Create a list of all the guests who attended and the gifts they gave you. This will help you keep track of who you've sent a card to and who you haven't.

Start with a greeting

Begin your wedding thank-you postcard with a greeting. Start with a simple "Dear" followed by the guest's name. If you're writing to a family, address the card to the whole family. If you have a closer relationship with the guest, you can use their first name.

Express your gratitude

Thank the guest for coming to your wedding and sharing in the joyous occasion. Let them know how much their presence meant to you and your partner. If they gave you a gift, mention it specifically and express your appreciation for their thoughtfulness.

Personalise your message

Include something specific about the guest, such as a shared memory or a special moment during the wedding. This will show that you reflected on their presence and that it meant something to you.

Look to the future

Express your excitement for what's to come. Mention how you and your partner plan to use the gift, or how you're looking forward to seeing the guest again soon. This will give the guest a sense of connection and anticipation for future events.

End with a closing

End your wedding thank-you postcard with a closing phrase such as "Warm regards," "With love," or "Sincerely." Sign your name and your partner's name at the bottom of the card.

Adding a personal touch

Customise the Design

Choose a design that reflects your wedding theme or colour scheme. If you're feeling creative, you can design your own postcards from scratch or customise templates available on websites like Canva and VistaPrint. Play around with different layouts, colours, and motifs to create a design that feels like a natural extension of your wedding motif and invitations. You can also include photos from your wedding to make the postcards more personal.

Write a Heartfelt Message

Take the time to write a personalised message to each guest. Begin with a simple greeting, such as "Dear [Guest's Name]," and if you have a closer relationship with the guest, you can use their first name. Express your gratitude for their attendance and mention any gifts they gave you. Share a special memory or moment you had with them during the wedding to show that their presence meant something to you.

Plan Ahead

Before writing your thank-you postcards, create a spreadsheet with your guests' names and addresses. This will keep you organised and ensure you don't forget anyone. It's also a good idea to note any gifts you receive in the spreadsheet so you can mention them specifically in your messages.

Handwrite the Postcards

While it may be tempting to print your messages, taking the time to handwrite each postcard will make your guests feel valued and appreciated. It adds a personal touch that your guests will surely appreciate.

Send Them in a Timely Manner

Aim to send out your thank-you postcards within three months after your wedding. Your guests will appreciate the promptness, and it will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed if you send them out in batches.

Remember, your wedding thank-you postcards are a chance to express your gratitude and make your guests feel special. By adding a personal touch, you can create meaningful and memorable postcards that your guests will cherish.

Sending the cards

Before sending, create a list of all the guests who attended and the gifts they gave you. This will help you keep track of who you've sent a card to. It's also a good idea to keep a record of the gifts you receive as you open them, along with the sender's details, to make this process easier.

Once you've written your cards, you can send them via snail mail. It's a nice touch to use envelopes that match the theme, colour, or style of your wedding.

Frequently asked questions