Just when you've wrapped up your celebrating and are getting used to that new second ring on your finger, you realize you have this one last thing to do as newlyweds, write thank you cards. While the task is often viewed as a chore, it's important to remember that this is a special way to take time out and thank those who spent your special day with you. Before you get started on tackling that stack of cards, check out these tips for thank you card etiquette.

Be Timely

In the spirit of tradition, wedding thank you cards should mailed in a timely manner, and the idea of mailing them within a year is a myth. A window of one to three months is more proper and provides ample time to ensure they are ordered, written, addressed, signed, sealed and delivered without leaving the couple feeling overwhelmed.

If you have quite a few to complete, don't go it alone or try to cram it all in to one session. Break up the process into smaller tasks and set goals for a certain amount to do each day. Don't forget to split the “work” with your partner, too!

Be Personal

As daunting as it may be, traditional etiquette stresses the importance of being specific and personal in your thank you messages. Keeping in mind that your guests devoted their time (and often, money) to celebrate with you on your special day, it is recommended that you acknowledge their specific gift, presence, etc. while writing your notes. Be sure to keep a detailed record of all gifts received and who gave them.

For weddings with 150 guests or more, this can be very time consuming, and more modern couples are opting for preprinted thank you cards that are more general in nature. However, for smaller affairs like bridal showers or bachelorette parties, jotting down a personal note is much easier. Regardless of your decision, guests will be grateful to receive a thank you in the mail, but remember that a little personalization goes a long way.

Be Thorough

When it comes to thank you card recipients, make a list and check it twice. What may seem like a simple oversight to you, and while mail errors do happen, nobody wants a valued guest to feel slighted upon not receiving a thank you message. By being organized and thorough, you can ensure you've done all you can to ensure that every person who should have one gets one.

Who should be on your list?

Thank you card recipients should include any guest in attendance at your wedding, any guest who could not make it but sent a gift, your wedding planner and all vendors and anyone who was not invited but gave a gift. A pro tip? Be sure to get the special ones for your parents and bridal party completed first, while you are able to write the most heartfelt and genuine messages to those who deserve it most.

This article was written by Erin Celletti for Brides.com.