9 ready-to-use messages
Wedding Party Thank-You Wording
Thank your bridesmaids, groomsmen, maid of honor, and best man for standing beside you and handling everything else.
Edited by Michael KahnUpdated
Heartfelt
Dear Kelsey, Thank you for being my bridesmaid, and for being my friend long before that. You held my dress, my bouquet, and my nerves all at once, and you never dropped a single one. I could not have walked down that aisle without you beside me. Love, Emma
Dear Renata, Thank you for being my maid of honor, which I now understand is basically a part-time job you took on for free. The showers, the planning, the pep talks, the way you held everything together: I saw all of it. I am so lucky to have you. With all my love, Emma
Dear Aunt Lucia, Thank you for traveling all that way to stand with me on my wedding day. Having you in the wedding party meant so much to me, and I know it took real effort to be there. I will treasure those photos of us forever. With love, Emma
Warm
Hey Marcus, Thank you for standing up with me. You have had my back since college, so it only made sense to have you back there on the biggest day too. Thanks for the speech, the steady nerves, and for making sure I had the rings. Cheers, Dan
Hey Theo, Thank you for being my best man, and for somehow giving a toast that made everyone laugh and cry without embarrassing me too badly. You have been there for every big moment of my life, and I would not have wanted anyone else by my side. Thank you, brother, Dan
Dear wedding party, Thank you, every one of you, for standing with us. You traveled, you planned, you danced, and you made our wedding feel like a room full of the people who shaped us. We are so grateful to have you in our lives. With love, Emma and Dan
Dear Sofia, Thank you for being my bridesmaid, and please accept this little gift as a thank-you for everything. It is nowhere near enough for all you did, but I hope it tells you how much I appreciate you. I love you. Love, Emma
Hi James and Dana, Thank you for letting little Mia be our flower girl. She has not stopped talking about it, and the photos of her marching down that aisle are some of our favorites from the whole day. Thank you for sharing her with us. Warmly, Emma and Dan
Funny
Hi Priya, Thank you for being my bridesmaid and for not staging an intervention during my many, many planning texts. You earned this friendship the hard way. I adore you and I am so glad you were up there with me. xo, Emma
Your wedding party does far more than stand beside you for photos. They plan showers, wrangle logistics, give toasts, calm your nerves, and often spend real money and vacation days to be part of your day. A thank-you note is how you tell each of them that none of it went unnoticed.
What to write to your bridesmaids and groomsmen
Lead with the thing only this person did. Maybe your maid of honor held the whole planning process together, a groomsman gave the toast of the night, or a bridesmaid flew across the country to be there. Name it, then say something true about your friendship. The wedding gave you a reason to put into words what these people already mean to you, so use it.
Pairing the note with a gift
Wedding party gifts are customary. Whatever you give, from matching robes to a nice bottle to something personal, tuck a handwritten card in with it. Most couples hand these out at the rehearsal dinner, when everyone is together and the celebration is just beginning.
Do not forget the supporting cast
Beyond the bridesmaids and groomsmen, plenty of people make a wedding happen: parents who hosted or paid, readers who spoke, ushers who seated guests, and the families who lent you a flower girl or ring bearer. A short, specific note to each is a gracious touch. For the people who gave gifts, see our wedding gift thank-you wording, and for the pros who pulled it off, our wedding vendor thank-you wording.
Common questions
What do you write in a thank-you note to your bridesmaids or groomsmen?
Thank them for standing with you and name something specific they did, like a toast, a shower they threw, or simply the calm they brought on the day. A line about your friendship and what it meant to have them up there makes it personal. Keep it warm and real rather than formal.
Do you give wedding party thank-you gifts?
A small gift for each member of the wedding party is customary, since they often spend real money and time on attire, travel, and pre-wedding events. The gift can be simple, and a heartfelt note tucked inside is what gives it meaning. Many couples hand these out at the rehearsal dinner.
When should I give my wedding party their thank-yous?
The rehearsal dinner is the traditional moment, since the whole party is gathered and the mood is celebratory. A note sent after the honeymoon also works, especially if you want to mention specific moments from the day itself.
What about the parents, readers, and others who helped?
Anyone who played a role, including parents, readers, ushers, and the families of young attendants, deserves a thank-you. A personal note acknowledging their specific part in the day is plenty.