When my husband Tim and I got married two years ago yesterday, we provided our guests with old blank postcards and asked them to write us a message. We handed out envelopes with labels and told each guest to write on a date when we could open them. Then for added mailing authenticity got them drop the envelopes in a postbox we’d made. 
So far we’ve been able to open 26 envelopes and read our guest’s messages, and each time it’s been such a lovely little blast of wedding-day memory. My son (who was 18 when we got married) dated his ‘yesterday’; many people dated theirs for our first anniversary, and some (you know who you are) for their own birthdays – so we wouldn’t have an excuse for not remembering!
Yesterday we opened one from my friend’s daughter – G, who is friends with my daughter – R. She wrote:
“Claire and Tim, I hope I’m still friends with you guys ‘cos you guys are BADASS. And I don’t say that lightly. R is very lucky to have you guys and your book tattoos and beautiful red hair. And your personalities as well, obviously. Have an amazing future. G”
This message is very special, not least because it makes me think about the lovely G, and laugh at how Tim and I aren’t BADASS at all, but also because it is the last envelope we can open until 27th February 2017. There’s another envelope dated the same year, but after that things thin out considerably: there’s one each for 2018 and 2020, two in 2021, three in 2023, and then the next is 2033, and the final joker dated their envelope 2043 (when I will be 76). I just hope they wrote something worth waiting for.
Reblogged this on Jackie Cartwright Author/Blogger and commented:
What a fab idea for wedding guests!
This is a great wedding idea! I love it, Claire!
Me too, although also frustrating in a good way. I have to put them in a drawer and try and forget about them for a few years!
You’d need reminders on your calendar so that you don’t forget to open them!
Yes, that’s what we’re having to do with those that are years apart (and hope we keep the same phones)
Yes! Or, transfer the dates to your new ones. 🙂
You have more patience than I would, what a brilliant idea!
I’m always tempted to rip all the rest of them open!
Fab idea – but yes, they’d have to be kept under kick & key as I’m not sure I’d resist opening them…
What a fantastic idea, one I hope you don’t mind me stealing (not sure who I’m stealing the idea for but I’m not married…..). Happy Anniversary to you two Badasses!
What a great wedding idea! I don’t think I’d have the patience to wait that long haha
But worth the wait!
I love postcards. I buy them at thrift stores and send them to friends all over the world. A postcard is so much easier than a letter. Maybe starting an exchange will ease the tension of the wait to open your wedding ones. I’m sure you really are badass.
Thanks Joy. (We’re really not.)
What fabulous idea. Always something to look forward to!
Very cool. I must share!
What a great idea!
The old postcards alone were fabulous, let alone the date idea 🙂
Thanks Carolyn
That’s a really wonderful idea for your wedding, and even more wonderful that you will continue to open those little messages for many more years to come – even if they are a little more spaced out now.
What an excellent idea, Claire, and so much fun! Happy anniversary.
janet