What goes in a thank you card?

We are attaching our thank you notes to the favors. Mainly because it is a surprise wedding, and there isn't any gifts, etc. involved. So we are hand writing a thoughtful thank you note/sentiment in each.

I'll be giving people photos from our photographer at a later time if anybody wants them.

My photographer includes thank yous with his package so we will be using those and for select special people we may include a hand written note.

We picked a template on VistaPrint that matched our invitations. We opted for a photo from the wedding on the back of it instead of printing one out for everyone. We came up with a general template of what to write in them (glad you could join us, thanks for the gift etc) and then tweaked it a little if the people gave a specific gift and not just cash. We wrote very specified ones for our wedding party, officiant, and family.

Following for suggestions!!!

Thank them for come to the wedding to celebrate the day with you, thank them for the specific gift they gave (if it was cash or a gift card you could make a note of what you will be putting it to if you know) and that’s all you actually have to put in them.

If if you want to include a picture from the wedding you can but it’s not needed.

I didn't put a picture in the thank you cards. We figured we'll end up posting them on social media, and family will get their own copies.

My Sister in Law used a wedding picture and made it the cover of her thank you card, which was really cute (we just didn't want to wait that long).

We kept ours simple and tried to write a little something personal about each person. The typical 'template' I used was:

Dear X,

We really loved having you join us to celebrate our marriage. You've been such a good friend for so long, that celebrating our first steps as husband and wife wouldn't of been the same without you.

Thank you so much for the wonderful pasta maker, we simply cannot wait to have you over for a pasta night!
Love, the OURLASTNAMEs

For people who give money, we said

Thank you so much for your generous gift - it will definitely be put to good use for our upcoming Indonesian honeymoon.

My friend did postcards with a wedding photo. she ordered them from vistaprint. and instead of going under the wedding section. she went under marketing supplies. with a discount code and it was super affordable.

I would strongly suggest waiting until after the wedding and mailing your thank you cards. You're thanking people for their gifts, and their presence, so specifically mentioning what they gave you, its personal. And if someone spent the time to buy you a gift, it shows them you opened it, and know who gave it to you.
Depending on the cost, I may print photos to include with them... our favourite bride and groom shot or something. But mostly like I will write out a link to an online album where they can see lots of photos

Gina made a good point if you are sending the thank you card after the wedding.

In the case of saving the time and postage. I had arranged the favours at the tables with the thank you card to individuals/couples/household. I would show pictures though its not posting for some reason.

We did cash gifts and the wording on the card went:

Thank you for sharing our day with joy, laughter and happiness.

Your gift will be deeply appreciated.

You usually thank the person for joining you on you and also thank them for the gift (if they brought one). I would definitely include a photo.
eg.
Dear Megis,
Thank you for being there on our special day. It meant so much to us to have you there. A big thank you for the crock pot. It will really help us with our busy schedules!
Love Gina.

if the give a monetary gift, you could say:
Thank you so much for your generous gift. We will be putting it towards are new home!