Thank You Gifts are a lovely way of appreciating all the hard work friends and/or family have put into your big day. Traditionally, the bridal party including the bridesmaids, best man and ushers should receive such gifts.
The mothers of both the bride and groom, usually receive a bouquet of flowers at the reception as a gesture of thanks. Dads do tend to be forgotten but needn't be! If another member of the 'bridal team' have made a special contribution, such as a friend who stayed up all night pouring over invite designs, or a dressmaker who slaved for hours over last minute alterations, it is a lovely tribute to reward them with a special something.
Personalised presents, such as engraved jewellery for the girls or a silver tankard for the boys, make a lovely reminder of the occasion. Other ideas could be a spa day for your chief bridesmaid or mother, to help her unwind as you jet off on honeymoon, perhaps a night out with the boys for your ushers and then a little extra gift for your best man. The choices are endless and depend on your recipients' personalities.
If guests have taken the time to attend your wedding, and the expense of buying you a gift, they will expect a personal thanks. A generic letter, especially one written on a computer, is not considered sufficient. A good idea is to ask your photographer if he can make postcards from your favourite wedding photo. Sending these would be extra special for the recipient and also means that there isn't too much space for you to fill! Remember to make a list of who sent what, and don't forget, if your guests bought from a gift list, don't say how perfect the item was, as you chose it in the first place!