Ask a Professional Bridesmaid: Do I have to send thank-you notes to guest who didn’t bring a gift?

 

Jen Glantz is a “Professional Bridesmaid” and the founder of Bridesmaid for Hire. She’s the author of All My Friends Are Engaged and frequently wears old bridesmaid dresses to the grocery store and on first dates. For her Brides.com column, Jen tackles a bride’s burning question: Do I have to send thank-you notes to guests who didn’t bring a gift?

You’ve checked your stack of envelopes twice already trying to figure out if some of your guests forget to give you a gift, or perhaps you just misplaced their card and check. Either way, it’s thank you note time and you’re wondering what to do about the list of people who you’re pretty sure didn’t give you a gift for your wedding.

There are two ways to go about this; first you can opt out of sending them a thank you note. But what good does that do? A giant part of you should still feel thankful that they came to your wedding and celebrated with you, even if they came empty handed. In the end, there’s no set in stone rule or law that they must bring you a gift. While it’s the proper thing to do, sometimes people, for their own set of reasons, don’t. Other times it’s as simple as them just forgetting to give you the gift. I have left many weddings with the card and check for the bride and groom still in my purse. Sometimes by sending a thank you note, simply writing you’re so glad they were in attendance on your special day, will spark them to remember to put some postage on the envelope and send you your gift.

Either way, I think it’s the right thing, and the best thing, to do. Send everyone who stepped foot in your wedding a thank you.