Bridal Shower "Thank You" Messages: A Complete How-To
Thank you cards are the best way to show your gratitude to guests! Photo Credit:
Aaron Burden
After you’ve been showered with gifts, the next step is to show your appreciation to your guests! The best way to express how much they and their support mean to you is to write the perfect bridal shower thank you card message.
While it may be a classic gesture, thank you cards are still very much the norm. But you’ll have to get creative to ensure your messaging hits the mark.
Here’s everything you need to know about crafting the perfect thank you card post-bridal shower.
Modern Etiquette for Bridal Shower Thank You Messages
Take the time to draft your thank you notes to reduce the chance of wasting one with an error! Photo Credit: Ana Tavares
Handwritten Notes vs. Digital Messages
Some brides enjoy handwritten notes while others opt for digital thank yous. While there’s no right or wrong way to craft thank you cards, there are key differences, so choose wisely.
Handwritten notes are instantly personal and allow you to make a connection with each recipient. However, they do take a long time to create, so if you have a larger guest list, you’ll need to carve out lots of time.
Plus, with snail mail being what it is, there’s always a risk your card will get lost. Not to mention the additional cost of postage and cards you’ll need to factor into your budget.
Digital messages are fast, easy, and beautiful, but you’ll need to work hard to make them personal.
You’ll also need to collect everyone’s email addresses or phone numbers and enter them correctly into the platform or email, which can be a challenge.
However, you can make a stunning digital card template for free and send it to yourself for no additional cost.
There are plenty of situations where e-cards or emails are appropriate. If you hosted a casual shower or are actively looking to decrease your carbon footprint, guests won’t be surprised by a digital thank you note.
Younger guests may also appreciate a digital invite they can save on their phone to look back on while older guests may expect paper versions. You can always mix and match if you want!
Send older guests traditional paper invites and the rest fun digital cards.
Timing Is Everything
There’s actually no set timeline for sending thank you messages. The general consensus is that you send them out before your wedding day. This may be the busiest time of the wedding planning journey, but it’s important to be prompt.
No need to rush, but remember, you’ll likely have lots of wedding thank you cards to write, so doing your shower ones now will save you time down the road!
If you don’t manage to get your thank you notes out before your wedding day, don’t worry! You can simply include a brief apology in your note if they get out later than expected.
Addressing Guests Correctly
As you start addressing envelopes and drafting your notes, it can be challenging to know how to address your guests. Choose the right tone based on your relationship.
You can go traditional for older family members by starting with “Dear” or more modern and informal for friends with “Hey, girl!
If you are writing a thank you note to a couple or family, you can address them with a common last name by saying “ To the ______ family.”
If you know the family members don’t share a last name, feel free to list out everyone’s name. If all else fails, address the note to the attendees and their family.
Personalizing Your ‘Thank You’ Messages
Include an image from your shower in your thank you card as a small token. Photo Credit: Nathan Dumlao
Incorporating Shared Memories
Make your thank you messages more personal by writing down a memory you or your spouse shares with that person. It could be from the shower itself or further back. Either way, it will make the recipient smile!
Using Humor and Inside Jokes
If you’re writing casual thank you notes or have that type of relationship with your guest, incorporate inside jokes that only they will recognize. You can also add humor to your note by referencing online trends or just funny moments you both enjoy.
Multilingual Messages
If you have guests who speak different languages, use Google Translate to write all or part of the note in their native tongue. This will make them feel seen and show that you value them for who they are.
Just have a native speaker proofread your message to ensure it comes across correctly.
Creative Formats and Delivery Methods
Filming thank you messages is a modern, exciting way to thank guests for attending your bridal shower! Photo Credit: Galina Kondratenko
Video ‘Thank You’ Messages
If you’re truly committed to an eco-friendly wedding and want your gratitude to stand out, record thank you message videos! Use a high-quality camera or your phone to make a video message you can send to each guest.
Create a script and practice a few times to get it right. Record a custom message in front of a beautiful backdrop for each guest so your messages come across as sincere.
Once you have them recorded, share the videos with your guests! You can craft personalized emails or text the videos directly to recipients.
Or create a private YouTube Channel, upload all the videos, and send the link to your guest list. Make sure the titles of each video are super clear so the viewers know exactly which one is for them!
2. Voice Notes
If you’re camera shy, you can also record voice messages for each guest. This will save you big money on cards and postage while still giving everyone the most personalized, thoughtful gesture of gratitude.
3. Plantable Thank You Cards
Take your printed thank you notes to the next level by using plantable paper. Most invitations will inevitably end up in the landfill. But when you use seed paper, guests can plant the card outside, and beautiful flowers will blossom!
4. Social Media Acknowledgments
Social media connects us to our favorite people and is fully ingrained into society. So it makes sense that some couples post their bridal shower thank yous to their social accounts.
You can craft a public thank you post and tag all of the guests in it. This will highlight their contribution to your special day and allow you to share your favorite photos for them to enjoy.
For a more personal approach, direct message each recipient your appreciation for their gifts, time, and presence at your bridal shower. Individual messages will take time, but it will make them smile the instant the notification pops up!
5. Hosting a Post-Shower Gathering
If you're looking for a truly inventive way to thank your guests, host a casual, post-shower social event for them to enjoy. Invite them to your home and serve fun finger foods.
Allow them to enjoy each other's company and relax before your wedding kicks into high gear.
Thanking Beyond the Gifts
Expressing Gratitude to the Host(s)
While all of your shower guests are important, the people who hosted your shower put a lot of time and effort into making sure your day was amazing.
This could mean they opened their home as the venue to your party or they did all the legwork to put the day together.
It’s important to acknowledge their effort and hospitality. One way to show your gratitude is to give them a host gift. Thoughtful presents, like a bottle of wine, a gift card, or a handmade item, will show how thankful you are to them.
Recognizing Non-Material Contributions
As you write your thank you notes, remember to acknowledge the extra steps people took to make your bridal shower memorable.
Thank people who cooked food, donated decor, or helped clean up after the party. Pointing out their efforts will make them all feel appreciated.
Guests Who Traveled Far
If a guest traveled to attend your shower, be sure to thank them! They spent their time, gas, or travel points to make it to your special day. Acknowledge the lengths they went to to be a part of your bridal shower.
Handling Delicate Situations
When No Gift Was Given
There are many reasons why guests don’t give gifts at showers. Maybe the item didn’t arrive in time, or they didn’t have enough money to purchase one. Or maybe it’s a cultural misunderstanding.
Either way, when writing the thank you note, express your gratitude for their presence and the part they played on the big day. Don’t reference the lack of a gift. Make sure your message feels natural to avoid any awkwardness.
Duplicate or Unwanted Gifts
Duplicate gifts happen. Or maybe the guest moved away from your bridal shower registry list and gave you something that just doesn’t suit your tastes. While returning or exchanging is completely acceptable, mentioning it is not.
Thank the guest without mentioning the fate of the gift. Emphasize the thoughtfulness of their gesture and your appreciation for them taking the time to attend your shower and bring a gift.
Group Gifts
If you received a group gift, you have a couple of options. You can write an individual note to each gift giver. This is a good idea if each gift-giver is a close friend or family member.
Or you can write one thank you note and ask the first recipient to pass the note to the others. This is appropriate for coworker gifts especially.
Considering Culture and Inclusivity
A cozy chair is the perfect place for a bride to open gifts and a helper to make notes about who gave what! Photo Credit: Jennifer Kalenberg
Understanding Cultural Etiquettes
Remember that there are a variety of traditions around the world. Different cultures express thanks in different ways. If you suspect any cultural differences, do some digging to see what is the appropriate method to express your gratitude.
Adapt your messages and gestures appropriately. While it may take you some extra time, the payoff will be worth it. The recipient will feel the true extent of your gratitude.
Inclusive Language
As you write your notes, be mindful of preferred pronouns and titles. Keep your wording gender-neutral if you are unsure. You also need to be mindful of diverse family structures and different last names.
When in doubt, stay as neutral as possible and use first names in place of pronouns or last names. Always use Ms. over Mrs. if you are unsure how to address a female guest.
Sample Messages for Inspiration
Heartfelt and Personal Examples
I am beyond grateful for your amazing gift.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the __________.
Our hearts were touched by your thoughtful gift.
This gift will always remind me of the amazing bond that we share.
When I saw your gift, my heart sang. You know me so well!
I can never express just how grateful I am for you and your thoughtful gesture.
Thank you for using your precious time to make my day even more special.
I’ll always cherish the beautiful _____________ when I see it in my home.
I’m so glad you were at my shower. You made the day even better!
My heart is full thanks to your kind gesture.
Short and Sweet Messages
Thank you for everything.
My gratitude is overflowing.
My heart sang when I saw the gift.
Thank you for attending my shower.
My bridal shower wouldn’t have been the same without you.
Thanks a million!
You know me so well.
We can’t thank you enough.
I’m beyond grateful!
Thanks for the ____________!
Creative and Unique Phrases
I can’t wait to use the ______________ when……..
Your presence and present were both appreciated!
Gifts like yours make us feel so loved.
Wow! What a gift!
I don’t think I can ever top your amazing gift.
OMG I love it!
Thank you for showering me with gifts!
Raising a glass to your amazing creativity.
Of COURSE you got me the best gift ever!
Your present was giving “I know her SO well!”
Enhancing Your Thank You Messages
Including Photos from the Bridal Shower
Take your invites to new heights by attaching a memorable photo of the event to the note. It should include the recipient and perhaps the bride too. If you took a group photo, you can just print that one to give to everyone.
Another option is to share a link or QR code that goes to an online gallery. That way, guests can comb through the albums to find their favorite shots and download them to their devices.
2. Small Tokens of Appreciation
You can also include small trinkets in your thank you notes. Personalized bookmarks, magnets, or keychains are easy to ship and will amplify your message of thanks.
If you’re crafty, you can DIY some small items for a personal touch. Think a hand-knit scrunchie, potholder, or an embroidered pin.
Make sure it’s something you can easily make so it doesn’t take up too much time, especially if you have a lot of notes to write!
Managing ‘Thank You’ Messages Efficiently
Stay organized to ensure you don't overlook any of the thoughtful guests at your bridal shower! Photo Credit:
insung yoon
Organizing Your List
During the shower, your host, the maid of honor, or a bridesmaid should have added a notetaker to the bridal shower checklist and tracked who gave you what gifts. This will come in handy when you are writing thank-you notes!
Review those records and then go through your register and emails to make sure you don’t miss any gifts that were sent directly to your home.
There are all sorts of apps and digital tools you can use to organize your list. Find a free template and use Good Notes or another organization app to keep track of everything.
Then, you’ll have it on your phone and can cross the people off your list as you go.
Time-Saving Strategies
To make the most of your time, set some daily thank you cards for yourself. Write a few notes each day, checking the guests off your list as you go. This will make the task seem less overwhelming.
You can even do it as you listen to your favorite podcast or wait for dinner to cook in the oven.
Another time-saving strategy is to create a basic template you can personalize for each guest. Write down a basic format, leaving room to add personal details that will make the note unique to each guest.
The Closing Message
Expressing your most heartfelt gratitude is a great way to make your loved ones feel appreciated and to strengthen the bonds you have. Not only are you showing that you care, you are letting them know that you appreciate everything they’ve done for your bridal shower.
When writing your bridal shower thank you message, it’s important to let your personality shine through your messages.
Add something that will make your guests smile and represent the unique connection you have with each recipient. It will make them feel as good as you did at your bridal shower!