X

20+ Ways to Give Thanks at Your Wedding

In the spirit of the season, we've gathered some fun ways to give thanks before, during, and after your big day.

Enter Slideshow
  • Keep a gratitude journal

    Keep a gratitude journal

    Unlike a regular diary, which requires daily upkeep, jot down quick thoughts about your planning "highs" (e.g. what you felt like when you bought your dress) whenever you have the time. You can also use it to store fun mementos like a sketch of your cake.

    Related: The 6 Emotional Stages of Planning a Wedding

    Photo Credit: Kevin Paul Photography

  • Spend quality time with your maid of honor and best man

    Spend quality time with your maid of honor and best man

    Plan a one-on-one hangout before the wedding chaos takes over. You'll relish the opportunity to bond with them before the biggest day of your life.

    Photo Credit: J. Wiley Photography

  • Exchange letters on the morning of the wedding

    Exchange letters on the morning of the wedding

    Sure, "meet you down the aisle" texts are charming, but there's nothing quite like putting pen to paper. Thank your future spouse for marrying you and making you the luckiest woman alive. Capture each other's reaction on film by reading the letters out loud for your videographer.

    Related: 60 Must-Have "Getting Ready" Photos

    Photo Credit: J. Wiley Photography

  • Unveil a fun wedding surprise for your groom

    Unveil a fun wedding surprise for your groom

    Is ESPN the soundtrack of your home? Give a nod to his sports obsession by having guests sign a jersey as your "guest book." Did he spend his childhood (and beyond) secretly wishing he was Spiderman? We're smitten with this creative take on the groom's cake.

    Related: 7 Ways to Surprise Your Groom at the Wedding

    Photo Credit: Jennifer Skog Photographers

  • Savor a quiet moment together

    Savor a quiet moment together

    Soak in your surroundings — the stunning reception space that took months to plan, friends and family busting a move on the dance floor, that giddy look on your husband's face that says, "We finally did it."

    Related: 35 Romantic Ideas for Your Wedding Reception

    Photo Credit: Ryan Ray Photography

  • Dedicate your wedding to both sets of parents

    Dedicate your wedding to both sets of parents

    At the ceremony, ask the officiant if you could read a poem in honor of your family. Here's one example of wording we love: "We would like to dedicate this ceremony to our parents. They have taught us our values and shown us how to laugh, love and appreciate all that life has to offer. Their generosity, support, and love are unending." Or, you can surprise them at the reception, instead. Imagine the look on their faces when they flip over this drink coaster!

    Related: 100 Sentimental Wedding Ideas You'll Love

    Photo Credit: Emma Case Photography via A Practical Wedding

  • Honor your parents

    Honor your parents' marriage by incorporating their wedding-day photos

    Whether it's one small photo tucked into your armoire or a dedicated corner at the sign-in table, they'll appreciate the sentimental gesture. Or, have your photographer help you re-create one of their favorite shots.

    Photo Credits (from top to bottom): Ana Lui; Zenobia Studios and Ashfall Mixed Media

  • Carry a piece of them down the aisle with you

    Carry a piece of them down the aisle with you

    Use fabric from your mother's wedding dress as your bouquet holder (like the photo pictured at right), or hang miniature childhood photos from your flowers. Instead of doing a bouquet toss, give a speech at the reception dedicating your bouquet to the most important woman in your life — Mom.

    Related: Unique Wedding Bouquet Details

    Bouquet at left photographed by Alisha + Brook Photographers / Bouquet at right created by Edge Design Group; photographed by Nadia D. Photography

  • Give Mom and Dad one last hug

    Give Mom and Dad one last hug

    Take the time to stop for one final display of affection. Just remind your parents that the officiant is waiting if they refuse to let go.

    Related: 200+ Emotional Wedding Moments

    Photo Credit: Jeremy Beasley

  • Toast to all of the times that your bridal party supported you

    Toast to all of the times that your bridal party supported you

    Thank your bridal party attendants for sharing in the joy of your wedding day with a quick speech. Don't forget to hand out a glass of bubbly to each bridesmaid before you hit the road!

    Photo Credit: Carrie Wildes Photography

  • Spend one-on-one time with your flower girl and ring bearer

    Spend one-on-one time with your flower girl and ring bearer

    Give the little ones a bucket filled with crayons and activities to keep them busy at the reception, let them play with your dress, and say "cheese" in the front of the camera for their very own portrait.

    Related: Adorable Pics to Take With Your Ring Bearer and Flower Girl

    Photo Credits (from left to right): Joshua McCoy Photography and Angel Canary Photography

  • Give your bridal party kudos in your wedding program

    Give your bridal party kudos in your wedding program

    Explain what their relationship is to you (a sister, friend, coworker) and include a few fun facts about them.

    Photo Credit: Woodlark Designs on Etsy

  • Dedicate a special song to your

    Dedicate a special song to your 'maids and groomsmen

    Don't require them to practice a dance beforehand, unless you're Zumba buddies or were in a dance troupe back in high school! Just have your DJ or band play a song from your past and watch unscripted hilarity ensue.

    Related: All Together Now: Choreographed Wedding Dances That Make Us Smile

    Photo Credit: Becky Brown Photography

  • Thank your vendors for making your wedding vision come to life

    Thank your vendors for making your wedding vision come to life

    After all of those emails, calls, brainstorming sessions, and, yes, the times that they saved your behind, express how much you appreciate them with a heartfelt card. Pay it forward by writing a positive review online, if you were happy with their service.

    Photo Credit: Cami's Paperie on Etsy

  • Give vendors a shout-out in your toast

    Give vendors a shout-out in your toast

    If you plan on saying a few words to welcome guests to the wedding reception, mention all of the vendors who helped make your night (or day) a success.

    Photo Credit: Muriel Silva Photography

  • Create a heartfelt guest book alternative

    Create a heartfelt guest book alternative

    Your wedding day is the one time when you're surrounded by everyone who loves you, all in the same room. What better way to bottle up all of their good wishes than by preserving and displaying them in your home afterward?

    Related: 50 Unique Wedding Guest Book Ideas

    Photo Credits (from top to bottom): K and K Photography and Rachael Foster Photography

  • Incorporate "thanks" as part of your wedding décor

    Incorporate "thanks" as part of your wedding décor

    One popular option is to display a special thank-you on the menu. Or, you could include a meaningful blessing or prayer.

    Photo Credit: Taylor Lord

  • Have fun with your thank-you cards

    Have fun with your thank-you cards

    A custom illustration makes signing all of those notes that much more bearable (and, dare we say it, fun).

    Related: Etiquette Q&A: "What Should We Write in Our Thank-You Notes?"

    Photo Credit: Ashley Brooke Designs

  • Give back to your community with charitable favors

    Give back to your community with charitable favors

    Donate to a cause that is close to your heart and include a note explaining the significance behind your choice.

    Related: 15 Simple Ways To Use Your Wedding To Pay It Forward

    Photo Credit: Mari Darr

  • Donate your dress

    Donate your dress

    After the big day, you can donate your dress and any other bridal accessories to Brides Against Breast Cancer, which will resell it and use the proceeds to help a woman with cancer. Or, you can gift it to Brides for a Cause, which collects and resells gowns to support Wish Upon a Wedding, a non-profit organization that grants weddings to couples in need.

    If your bridesmaids are interested, they can donate their dresses as well, to organizations that provide prom dresses to disadvantaged high school girls. If you live in Chicago, check out The Glass Slipper Project.

    Photo Credit: Snappy Shots by Bev

  • Donate flowers

    Donate flowers

    Look fofr organizations that will re-assemble your donations into new floral arrangements for hospices and nursing homes that could use some cheer.

    Photo Credit: Amanda Marie Photography

  • Donate food

    Donate food

    Arrange to have any extra food from your reception "rescued" to feed hungry people in your area. Find out more at Second Harvest.

    Photo Credit: Bowersock Photographers

  • Keep the spirit of gratitude going in your marriage

    Keep the spirit of gratitude going in your marriage

    Leave secret messages for your spouse to find. At dinner, take a cue from Oprah Winfrey and tell them about three blessings that happened to you on that day. "When you focus on what you have, your abundance only increases," the talk show host has said.

    Related: 10 Ways Your Wedding Prepares You for Marriage

    Photo Credit: Betsy's Wood on Etsy

24 / 23
ALL PHOTOS

20+ Ways to Give Thanks at Your Wedding

X

November 15th

Photo credit: 

Megan Stark Photography via Janel Events

Tip of the Day: "Surprisingly, a two or three-course plated dinner can be more cost-effective than a buffet or live action stations, which typically require more staff, so labor costs go up. And honestly, guests sometimes don't want to get up and wait in line for food, so save yourself some dough and go with the plated meal service!" says Janel Gonzalez from Janel Events.

Plus, check out 50 Ways to Cut Wedding Catering Costs.

Weddings With Grandparents Who Stole The Show

Can we all agree that grandparents are the best? They can always be counted on to tell it like it is, to always be in your corner, and to reinforce the importance of family on your wedding day. No matter what, your wedding will be one of your best days ever, but there’s something extra-special about having your grandparents there to share it with you. These videos from Love Stories TV have some of the most unforgettable grandparent-wedding moments we’ve seen yet!

November 14th

Photo credit: 

Diva Gone Domestic

Tip of the Day: "If you have a bigger guest list than you hoped for and want to cut it down, send out your save-the-date six months in advance instead of the typical nine to 12 months. This gives some of your guests less time to make that date available for your wedding, as they may have already made other plans. Of course, be sure that the key people you want there already have your date on their calendar!" says Jamie Bohlin from Cape Cod Celebrations.

Plus, check out more ways to Get a Handle on Your Guest List.

Pages

Subscribe to BridalGuide RSS