How to Write a Wedding Shower Thank You Card (With Examples!)
How to Write a Wedding Shower Thank You Card (With Examples!)
Weddings are a time of excitement, love, and laughter—but there are a lot of important tasks that come along with them! One of these wedding-season tasks is writing thank-you notes to all of the attendees and gift-givers of your celebratory wedding or bridal shower. It can sometimes be difficult to come up with thoughtful and sincere thank you card messages on your own, which is why we’ve compiled this list of wonderful wedding shower thank you messages for friends, family, and acquaintances (along with some expert thank you note-writing tips from etiquette coach Tami Claytor).
What to Write in a Bridal Shower Thank You Note

Bridal Shower Thank You Message Template

Address the recipient by name. Begin your bridal shower thank you note by addressing the recipient directly. Depending on the formality of your event and your relationship with the person you’re writing to, use just their first name or their first name with a title (e.g., Dorothy vs. Mrs. Gale). If you’re writing a thank you message to a whole family (i.e., the Joneses), address the card to the whole family. “On the envelope, make sure it says ‘family’ so that whoever opens the mail realizes the message is for everyone,” instructs Claytor. “Also, when you start off,” continues Claytor, “if it’s a family, just say ‘Hi, everyone. Hope all is well!’”

Thank the recipient for taking the time to celebrate with you. Express how thankful you are that your friend, family member, or acquaintance took the time to attend your wedding shower. Tell them how happy you were to see them and that you enjoyed the opportunity to give them a hug and catch up before the wedding. Claytor confirms that you should always start with a thank you: “The first rule of thumb is always say thank you first. Whatever the gesture is, be very specific and say thank you for X, Y, and Z.” For instance, you might start your note with “Thank you so much for attending Juliet and I’s bridal shower last weekend. We know you had to travel quite a ways to get here, but we were overjoyed to see you and get to spend some quality time with you.” Here are a few additional ways to say “thank you” on a gratitude card: I really appreciate… I’m so grateful for… You really blessed me by… It really warmed my heart that you… I’ll always cherish…

Thank the recipient for the gift they gave you, if applicable. Share your gratitude for the gift you received and “explain to the person…how it will be used,” says Claytor. In addition to sharing how you plan to use the present in your newlywed life, write a line or two about why you love the gift. Even if you don’t truly love the gift, focus on the thought behind it and your appreciation for that kindness. Claytor offers the example of a gifted “cappuccino maker. [In this case], say, “‘Aunt Barbara, thank you for the cappuccino maker. Every time I drink coffee, I'll think of you.’” Or, if a guest gifted you a cheeseboard, write something like “The beautiful cheeseboard you gifted us has been such a great addition to our at-home date nights. We’ve been having so much fun experimenting with new charcuterie boards and spending quality time together!” If you’re struggling to think of what to say to thank someone for their bridal shower gift, use these questions to brainstorm: How did you feel when you opened the gift? What plans do you have for the gift? Why is this gift a good present for you (or for you and your partner)? How will this gift improve your married life?

Compliment the recipient and add a personal note. Make sure to add at least one line into your thank you note that touches on a personal connection—otherwise, your thank you message may not genuinely express your gratitude to the giver. Find a way to show your appreciation for them as a person, like “‘I enjoyed speaking with you’ or ‘visiting with you,’” and add a “compliment to the person you’re sending the thank you card to like ‘You’re a lovely person’ or ‘You’re easy to talk to,’” advises Claytor. You could also write something like “Your friendship means the world to us” or “Thank you again for your support and love as we start this new chapter together.” To give your thank you messages an even more personalized touch, consider “taking a picture of yourself using the gift or wearing the gift,” continues Claytor. A photo included in the envelope demonstrates just how much effort you put into your thank you cards, and it can be quickly accomplished with a Polaroid or instant print camera. Tailor this part of the note based on your relationship with the recipient. A thank you message for someone you’re close to (like a bridesmaid or best friend) should be more personal and heartfelt. If you don’t know the guest well or they are someone you have a more formal relationship with, however, it’s appropriate to write a short and sweet thank you card.

Close with a look forward to the wedding or other upcoming memories. Before signing off your thank you note, share how much you’re looking forward to the recipient being a guest at your wedding. Comment on how you’re excited to dance the night away with them or to continue hearing about their upcoming travels. If the recipient of your note is unable to attend your upcoming nuptials, include a line about how much they mean to you and how you’re looking forward to seeing them at another point in the future. For example, you could write “We’re sorry you won’t be able to make it to the wedding, but we’re so looking forward to seeing you at the family reunion next spring.”

Sign off your note with a warm closing message. To get your thank you card ready to be signed, sealed, and delivered, finish with a final thank you or best wishes. Like with any written correspondence, choose your sign-off based on your relationship—Claytor advises using “‘Regards,’ Best regards,’ or ‘Warm regards’” for more formal, business-like acquaintances. For close friends and family, however, go with something more casual like “Love” or “Cheers.” Finally, add your and your fiancé’s names after your warm closing (examples below): Warmest thanks, David and Patrick Lots of love, Elizabeth and Darcy Sincerely, Sandy and Danny Yours, Gomez and Morticia Love always, Jim and Pam All the best, Stef and Lena Gratefully, Allie and Noah Blessings, Lily and Ola Best, Nick and Charlie Fondly, Jack and Rose

Wedding Shower Thank You for Registry Gift

Thank the recipient for the gift they chose off of your registry. Wedding registries aren’t just for the actual wedding itself—many attendees will probably look to your registry to get you a bridal shower gift that they know you really need! Here are some example bridal shower thank you messages for someone who got you a gift off the registry: Dear [guest name],We were so happy to have you a part of the joyful celebration last weekend. Thank you so much for the exquisite cake stand—we can’t wait to start baking up a storm and putting it to good use! We’re so delighted to celebrate this special moment in our lives with you, and we can’t wait to see you on the big day.Love,[Your names] Dear [guest name],Thank you very much for being at my bridal shower last Sunday! We’re so grateful for the beautiful lace curtains you gave us; they have already made a great addition to our sitting room. Your friendship means so much to us, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you at the wedding in January. Lots of love,[Your names] Dear [guest name],Thank you so much for gifting us the elegant pair of champagne flutes! We’ll be thinking of you every time we toast to an exciting new chapter in our lives—of which we’re hoping there will be many! We’re so grateful for your continued support as we get closer and closer to the big day. Can’t wait to see you there!Gratefully,[Your names]

Wedding Shower Thank You for Non-Registry Gift

Thank the recipient for the thoughtful gesture of a more personal gift. Some guests prefer to select a gift that’s not on the registry—especially for a less formal event like a wedding shower. If someone went out of their way to get you a more personalized, custom gift, make sure to thank them for thinking of you (whether you loved the gift or not) with one of these example thank you messages: Dear [guest name],We are so appreciative of the beautiful framed photo collage you got us as a wedding shower gift. It’s already hung on our wall and every time we look at it, we’ll be thinking of you. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and generosity!All the best,[Your names] Dear [guest name],It was so wonderful to see you at the bridal shower! Thank you for the bagel slicer you gifted us. It was a very generous gift, and we appreciate you going out of your way to think of us. We’re looking forward to seeing you at the wedding next month, and we know that many more great memories will be made with you there!Sincerely,[Your names] Expert example from Claytor:“Thank you, Aunt Barbara, for the beautiful scarf that you gave me for [the wedding shower]. You really took the time to make sure that I would like it. It's my favorite color, red…It was just great seeing you again, and I hope to see you again soon.”

Wedding Shower Thank You for Cash Gift or Gift Card

Let someone who’s given a cash gift or gift card know how you’ll be spending it. Cash gifts and gift cards can make great bridal shower gifts, as you can put them toward something you really need or want. Whether you plan on putting the cash wedding shower gift toward your honeymoon, down payment, or kitchen appliances, let the recipient of your note know where their gift will be going! Try one of these example thank you messages: Dear [guest name],We’d like to express our genuine gratitude and appreciation for your generous wedding shower gift. We’re so excited to start off our married life together with a relaxing honeymoon and Bali, and your contribution will help to make that time even more special. Thank you for your continued support during this exciting time!Much love,[Your names] Dear [guest name],It was such a joy to see you at the shower, and thank you so much for your thoughtful gift. We’ve just put your contribution toward the down payment on our new home, so we really can’t thank you enough for helping us make our dreams of owning a house come true. You’ll be the very first to get an invite to the housewarming party! Thanks again for all of the support you’ve shown us throughout our engagement—we look forward to seeing you at the wedding.Warmly,[Your names] Dear [guest name],We are so grateful for the generous gift card you gave us for our wedding shower. We’ve been wanting to install a garden bed in the backyard of our new home, and this gift will help us so much in getting started on that project. Hopefully, we’ll be delivering some fresh herbs to your doorstep before you know it! It means a lot to know that you’re thinking of us and wishing us well at such a special time in our lives. Thank you again for your thoughtfulness!Blessings,[Your names]

Wedding Shower Thank You for No Gift

If someone didn’t bring a gift, thank them for their time, support, and attention. Gifts aren’t everything, and they definitely aren’t the most important part of a bridal shower. The attendees of your party have shown their love for you by coming to celebrate you and your loved ones, and you should still send a thank you note regardless of whether a certain guest brought a gift. Here are some examples of how to write a thank you note without discussing a present: Dear [guest name],Thank you so much for taking the time to attend our bridal shower and celebrate with us. It means so much to have you by our side during this special moment in our lives, and we really look forward to seeing you again at the wedding in October. Sending all of our love to you and yours!Sincerely,[Your names] Dear [guest name],Thank you for celebrating with me at my shower! I hope that you had an amazing time, and I sure had an amazing time getting to see you and catch up with you. I’m so thankful to have you by my side during this special time. Can’t wait to see you at the wedding!Best,[Your names] Dear [guest name],Thank you so much for celebrating this special milestone with us. Your presence at the shower was so appreciated, and we’re truly grateful that you took the time to attend. We can’t wait to see you at the wedding for another day (and night!) of fun, laughter, and love.Best,[Your names]

Wedding Shower Thank You for Someone Who Couldn’t Attend

If someone didn’t attend but sent a gift, share thanks for their thoughtfulness. Weddings involve a lot of time, money, and energy—and not every guest can make it to every event! But if a guest went out of their way to send along a wedding shower gift despite not being able to attend, make sure to send them a note that matches their consideration—just follow one of these templates: Dear [guest name],Thank you very much for the gorgeous ceramic vase you sent us—we can’t wait to christen our new home with a beautiful bouquet of flowers! We’re sorry you weren’t able to celebrate with us at the shower, but we can’t wait to see you at the wedding!Fondly,[Your names] Dear [guest name],Thank you so much for the beautiful garden fountain you sent us. It’s really such an exquisite and generous gift, and the fact that you went out of the way to send it means the world to us. We missed you at the shower, but we’re so excited to see you at the wedding. Thank you again for your thoughtful gift!XOXO,[Your names] Dear [guest name],Thank you so much for the love seat. It’s going to look lovely in our new home, adding to its warmth and comfort. Your absence was definitely felt at the shower, but I appreciate you thinking of us during this exciting time. I’m looking forward to celebrating with you at the wedding!With warm regards,[Your names]

Wedding Shower Thank You for Close Friends & Family

Write a more casual thank you note for close friends and family members. If your thank you note is going to someone you have a close relationship with, you can skip over some of the formalities and write a warm, friendly note. For example: Dear [guest name],Thank you so much for your amazing gift! We can already tell that the Vitamix will be a staple for our morning runs (and replace the all-too-frequent Jamba trips). You’ve been a truly incredible friend over the past few years, and we can’t wait to share our special day with you and make even more wonderful memories in the future. We love you!Love,[Your names] Dear [guest name],Unsurprisingly, I had the best time hanging out with you at the bridal shower. We so appreciate the amazing board game set that you bought us, and I’m sure it’ll fuel many fun game nights for years to come! I can’t even express how much your love has meant to us over the years, and I feel so thankful to have you as part of our wedding next month.All the love in the world,[Your names] Dear [guest name],Thank you so much for coming to the shower—it was so great to see you and catch up after WAY too long! I can’t wait to use my new mixology set and make some fun drinks, so expect a Margarita Night invite sometime in the near future. I love you so much!Hugs and kisses,[Your names]

Wedding Shower Thank You for Formal Acquaintances

Write a more polished, formal letter to someone you don’t know very well. Traditional bridal showers often include guests that you aren’t super familiar with—or maybe even people you’re meeting for the first time! For example, you might invite your partner’s female family members or members of your extended family that you’ve only met once or twice. Here are some example thank you notes for acquaintances who attended your bridal shower: Dear [guest name],It was such a pleasure to have you at our wedding shower and we really appreciate your lovely gift. We can’t wait to use the ice cream goblets—they’ll make movie nights at home feel especially fancy. We look forward to seeing you again soon.With thanks,[Your names] Dear [guest name],Please accept our sincere gratitude for the beautiful crystal bowl you gifted us. It makes a lovely addition to our kitchenware collection, and we’re looking forward to using it for years to come. It means so much to us that you could attend the shower, and we look forward to seeing you at the wedding.Sincerely,[Your names] Dear [guest name],Your presence at our bridal shower filled our hearts with joy, and we sincerely appreciate your generous and thoughtful gift. Thank you for making our day so special. We’re excited to continue the celebration with you at the wedding!Warm regards,[Your names]

Wedding Shower Thank You for the Host

Send a note of immense gratitude to the host of your bridal shower. Hosting a party is no small feat, so make sure to send a particularly special thank you note to the person (or people) who planned your wedding shower for you. Express your appreciation with one of these sample thank you messages: Dear [guest name],There aren’t enough words to express just how grateful we are for your exquisite planning and hosting of our wedding shower. We loved every detail, and every bit of it felt just like us—especially the customized photo booth, that was a big hit! Thank you so much for supporting and helping us during the pre-wedding planning process, we couldn’t do it without you. We look forward to seeing you at the wedding (which you thankfully didn’t have to plan, although maybe you should’ve!).All the best,[Your names] Dear [guest name],We were over the moon with the exceptional job you did with our bridal shower, and we can’t thank you enough for being the most incredible and gracious host. From the balloon arches to the delicious cupcakes, every part of the day was perfect, and that’s all thanks to you. Thank you for being such an amazing friend and supporting us through every step of planning this wedding. You’ve made every moment even more meaningful. Thanks again for everything you’ve done for us.With love,[Your names] Dear [guest name],We are so blown away by all the help you gave us with the shower. It’s hard to pick just one favorite moment from such an incredible day, but we especially loved the personalized games you planned and the sentimental notes you had everyone write in the guestbook. Just a few of the many beautiful touches you gave to the shower, making it a celebration we’ll definitely remember forever. Thank you.With heartfelt thanks,[Your names]

Bridal Shower Thank You Etiquette: Dos & Don’ts

Do: Send a thank you note to everyone who attended your event and/or sent a gift. Keep a record of who attended and what gift they gave. Use blank thank you cards without any pre-written messages. Plan out your message before beginning to write it down. Write your notes by hand. Send thank you cards no later than two weeks after your wedding shower.

Don’t: Write too much—focus on the quality of the message over its quantity of words. Write the same exact message for everyone—try to add a personal touch! Combine the thank you notes for the bridal shower and wedding. Mention the specific dollar value of cash gifts. Be critical of the gift (or lack of a gift).

Frequently Asked Questions about Bridal Shower Thank You Cards

When do I send a bridal shower thank you card? Send out your bridal shower thank you notes within two weeks of the event. This timeline may seem short, but if you wait much longer then you’ll also have your wedding gift thank you cards to send, which will add unnecessary stress. Instead, get your bridal shower thank you cards out of the way and send them out as soon as possible.

Should you handwrite a wedding shower thank-you card? Yes, you should always handwrite your wedding shower thank you cards. Taking the time to write each thank you message by hand will show the recipients of your notes just how grateful you are for their time and energy.

Who should sign a wedding shower thank you card? There are different schools of thought for who should sign a wedding shower thank you card, so go with whatever feels right for you. If the shower was only thrown in one person’s honor, then it’s okay to only sign that person’s name. However, if you threw a joint wedding shower or the gift will clearly be enjoyed by both individuals in the couple, then feel free to write both names.

How should you address a wedding shower thank you card? In most cases, you can address guests by their first name in your bridal shower thank you notes. However, if you’re writing to a formal acquaintance whom you don’t know very well, it may be more appropriate to address them by their title and last name (i.e., Mr. Jensen). On the envelope itself, address guests by their full name and include their legal address.

Can I combine wedding and bridal shower thank you messages? No, it’s not considered appropriate (by formal standards) to combine thank-you notes across various wedding events. Write a different thank you note to the same guest for each event, which is traditionally the engagement party, bridal shower, and the wedding itself.

Do you send a bridal shower thank you to someone who didn’t attend or give a gift? If someone neither attended your shower or sent you a gift, there’s no need to send a thank you note. If someone attended your bridal shower or sent a gift, send them a thank you note. If a guest attended your shower but didn’t bring a gift, you should still send them a note that thanks them for their time and effort. If someone couldn’t attend but still sent a gift, send them a thank you card expressing your gratitude that they went out of their way to give a present.

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