4 Easy Ways to Thank Wedding Guests

I was working at a wedding recently and came across a toy when cleaning up.  It was this small plastic cupcake.

There weren’t many kids at this wedding, so I knew it was the little flower girl’s.  So, I went up to the mother and the little girl and gave it back to her.

And her mom said, “What do you say?”.  And the little girl shyly replied, “Thank you”.

We’ve all been there, right?  It’s one of the first things you learn as a kid.

To say thank you.

To thank someone for giving you something or doing something for you.

It’s a common courtesy and in many cases it’s automatic.  You say thank you when you’re handed your coffee at a cafe.  You say thank you when your mom gives you a gift. Or you say thank you when your friend gives you a compliment.

It doesn’t matter if it’s something big or small, your thank you means something.  It’s you expressing appreciation and gratitude to the people around you.

And your wedding is all about people. 

People you love.  People who have supported you.

And that includes your guests, your friends, your family and of course your partner.  Because without them, you wouldn’t be where you are today.

(Photo credit: What a Day! Photography)

And when you think about that, doesn’t your heart just swell?  There are all of these wonderful people in your life who love you.

Expressing your gratitude for these people is an important part of your wedding day.

Not just thanking them for what they’ve done and continue to do, but for coming to your wedding.  For witnessing, sharing and celebrating your love and your new life together.

That means a lot.

So, how do you express your thanks?  How do you show your gratitude?  Here are 4 easy ways to thank wedding guests.

4 easy ways to thank wedding guests

#1 – Say it

(Photo credit: Sabine Scherer Photography)

Like the little girl, the easiest way to thank wedding guests and show your gratitude is just to say it.  Say it out loud when you make your wedding thank you speech. You’d thank everyone as whole and/or groups of people.  And you can also single out people who have done a lot for you, especially for the wedding.

You can also say it when you’re mingling and talking to people at the wedding.  Thank them individually for being there and for anything else you’d like to express gratitude for.

#2 – Write it

(Photo credit: McAllister Photography)

Another easy way to thank wedding guests is by writing it.  Thank you cards will be the first thing that pops into your mind.  And you should definitely send those as they give you a chance to literally thank each person.

But, you can also write your thanks in other ways.  It could be a part of your signage when guests arrive or leave.  Or it could be a part of your stationery like expressing your thanks in your program.

Or it can be expressed early in your save the dates, invites and/or on your wedding website.  Saying thank you doesn’t just have to be at the wedding itself, but a constant sharing of gratitude during your engagement.

#3 – Show it

(Photo credit: Bethany Carlson Photography)

Expressing your gratitude can also be done by just showing them.  This comes through not by your words but by your actions.  And this can take many forms, but really it’s just about treating your wedding guests well.

So, it might be about making sure they’re never hungry or thirsty. Or making sure they don’t have to wait in a line.  Making sure there are enough bathrooms or enough seating.  Providing blankets so no one is cold.  Or umbrellas so no one is hot.

You want to think about what would make their experience both easy and fun.  Because thinking about your guests shows you care and is a subtle way to say thank you.

#4 – Give it

(Photo credit: Tomasz Wagner Photo & Films)

Lastly, you can also thank wedding guests with gifts!  Now don’t worry, they don’t have to fancy or expensive.  But they should be meaningful, useful or fun.  And it’s important to know that it doesn’t always have to be a physical gift.

So, these gifts could take the form of a meaningful wedding favor or a super useful welcome gift.  But, it could also be an activity you plan for your guests like wine tasting or hiking.  Or it could be a hosted welcome dinner or welcome drinks.  Or it could be covering some of their hotel room costs for your destination wedding.

Now you may find that you’re planning on doing some of these already.  Which is great!  Because that means you’ve already started to express your gratitude.

But I would highly suggest you use a combo of these ways to express your thanks.  Because it surrounds your wedding guests in your gratitude and makes for a wedding experience where everyone feels good, happy and loved.

Want to make sure you’ve got thoughtful details planned for your wedding?  Contact us today.  We can help you create an experience that both you and your guests will love.