Writing thank you cards to your many wedding guests might sound worse than going to the dentist, but it’s all about organizing yourself and getting the task done the smart way. Thank you cards should be sent out no longer than 6 weeks from your wedding. We break it down for you and offer tips on how to ease the pain of writing the dreaded wedding thank you cards.

Use your guest list
You already have your guest list with names and addresses of all your wedding guests. So simply create a “thank you card” column to keep track of the gift each guest gave and check off when you finish writing a card to each guest. This will keep you organized and save potential confusions.

Check gift registries as reference
If you registered with a store, get a copy of the gift registry to see what was purchased from the registry and by which guest. This will help if you forget who bought what from the list.

Address envelopes first
Getting each envelope addressed and stamped is an easy task that can be done while watching TV or listening to music. Getting this out of the way first can help ease the workload when it comes to writing out the actual cards. And make sure to include your return address so your guests have your current address.

Set small goals
Divide your guest list into more manageable sections and set goals on how many cards you can complete a night. It is easier to write 10 cards a night, rather than trying to tackle 100 in one afternoon. Your wrist and your husband will thank you!

Take sides
Split the job up with your husband. Have him take his family and friends and you can take yours. Thank you cards should be personalized, so writing a heartfelt message to your side of the guests makes more sense and will be easier when thinking of what to write.

Keep it simple and personal
There is a reason why thank you cards are so small. Keep your thank you short and sweet, with a personal touch. Let each guest know how happy you were they could attend your wedding and how much you love their gift. If the gift was money, let your guest know how you intend to spend the money, whether it be saving for a house or decorating your new home.

Send cards out at the same time
Wait until you have finished writing all your cards to send them to your guests. This way no one feels left out or less important if they get their card later than someone else.