Wedding Ideas

Recognize family & friends on your wedding day

These days, it really is better to give than to receive. Studies show that people are placing less of an importance on material goods and valuing more and more the time spent with family and friends. And no gift can compare to the feeling you get when you've done something unexpectedly nice for someone else.

So on your wedding day, a day that's all about you, why not use the occasion to do something nice for the people you love?

Here are a few easy ideas on how you can use your special day to give a gift of thanks:

• On the day of the wedding, send an e-card to your parents and other special people to thank them for being there through the years. You can personalize e-cards in advance. Just tell us when to send them.
• Call your parents out. At the reception, publicly thank your parents or special people in your life for the important lessons you have learned from them.

• Tuck a handwritten note into hotel room gift baskets.
• Hand out signed cards in your receiving line.
• Instead of favors at the reception, include a heartfelt letter at each place setting.
• If you'd rather not have the guests bring gifts, request donations to your favorite charity instead.

Of course, you don't need a special occasion to thank the people you love. With the right words and the right card (some starting at just 99 cents), any day at all is a great opportunity to say "thanks."