Halp? Who gets Thank You Cards?

I view thank-you cards as for people who gifted us. The reception is the thank-you for guests attending. I only had a few people not give gifts (which honestly, didn't bother me at all because we didn't really need lots of stuff), and I didn't send them a card.

Here, though, I've noticed that half will say thank-you cards are for presents and the other half says everyone gets one.

I view them as for presents as well.

This is solely up to you. As E-Tex noted, couples will only send them to guests who gave a gift. We on the other hand are sending them to everyone who attends whether they give a gift or not.

In my opinion...everyone. Thank you for sharing our day with us. I'm not inviting them because of what they can give us, I'm inviting them because I can't imagine getting married without them there. So I'll send a thank you for them making the time to be there and spend the day with us.

I never heard of the "thank you cards for gifts only" rule until I joined WW, but now it makes total sense to me. I don't understand people who go to weddings empty-handed unless there is some kind of legitimate circumstance (like my elderly aunts and uncles for example...I wouldn't be offended if they didn't bring a gift because they are retired with no income). So I think if you only sent thank you's to those who gave a card or gift, that would be fine.

I'm with E-Tex...you thank people for a gift, if they didn't give one, what are you thanking them for?

I only sent thank you notes for people we received something from.

We sent thank you cards to everyone (household) that showed up. We had a DW and everyone took time out of their life to be with us.

BUT if we had a local wedding and people did not have to travel, we would still have set out cards to everyone. (household). They still took time out of their day, life, etc to spend time with you. The idea that the reception is the "thank you" for your guests is beyond me. The reception (AKA PARTY) is simply that, a party. Thank you cards are one of the cheapest part of purchasing stuff for the wedding. How hard is it to write out a thank you card for everyone. You wrote out all of the invitations. I just think its bad manners. (the you is general is this ranty bit at the end)

Christine A, you're thanking them for sharing in your day. However, like I said, it's solely up to you.

I will be sending them to everyone. BUT...that is because we're only inviting around 40 people. So really it's only around 20 thank you cards. If I was doing a huge reception...I'd only send them to people who gave a gift or card.

They go to those who gave gifts only.

Regardless of what you decide, make sure you write a personal note! Something super generic is almost worse than no thank you, IMO.

We did not send thank you's to people who did not give us a gift. Just make sure you write a personal note on your thank you's!

The reception is a thank you for the guests. In my opinion those who did not give a gift do not get a thank you card.

Thank you all for the input! I ordered enough for all guests and our vendors as well, who I know would appreciate a thank you. I also didn't want to come off as rude or unthankful for those who did take the time out of their lives to celebrate with us. I suppose I just wasn't sure what to write in those cards of folks who didn't give, but I suppose a "sharing of day" sentiment wouldn't go unnoticed. @mrslav, I absolutely plan on hand writing each one, I agree that's a special, and necessary touch.

How about, "Thank you for sharing our happiness. We hope that you had as much fun at our wedding

as we did!" Or, "With sincere appreciation, we both send thanks for sharing in our day and for your thoughtful wishes, too."

I sent them to people we got a card from, i went around and talked to everyone but for my DHs side it was hard for me to remember who was there. but i would also send a card to people who were there that traveled far or did alot for the wedding, like i didnt get a card from my sister/brother inlaw but they helped me alot so i sent a thank you (my sister was also my MOH)

We sent them to everyone who attended and everyone who gave us a wedding gift or card, even if they didn't attend. I didn't want to send any to those who attended without bringing a card, but DH is a stickler for mail-related etiquette, so we sent them cards I'm still annoyed at them. Idiots.

I plan to send them to everyone who attends and/or gives a gift (including those who attend without gifting, and those who gift without attending).

I can't believe how many people don't believe in sending a thank you note to people who take the time out to come share your wedding day with you, but could not bring a gift for one reason or another. You never fully know the monetary circumstances people are facing, gifts are secondary to their spending their time with us IMHO.