How and when to thank grandmother for gift of dress

JCbride2015

My grandmother is generously giving me my wedding dress as a gift.  She lives OOS.  I just found the dress this weekend (yay!), Facetimed her in for shopping, and she paid the deposit over the phone.  The dress will arrive in March, at which time the rest of the payment is due, and the wedding is next May.

When do I write her a TY card or otherwise "officially" thank her for this gift?  Obviously I said thank you numerous times on the phone while shopping.

I'm thinking at the RD, or shortly after the wedding, with a card and a small gift might be appropriate.  But if she's expecting a card or something earlier, now that we've put money down on the dress, I don't want to offend her.

Thoughts?

lyndausvi

Yay for finding a dress. I would send a thank you right now. Nothing stopping you from giving you a give later.

JaxInBlue

Agree with lynda.  Send a note now, maybe including a pic of you in the store wearing the dress (if you can)?  I think at the wedding, or shortly after, would be the time to give her a gift, if you want to do that, and I would absolutely be sure to get a picture of you and her that shows off the dress.

Congrats on finding your dress, btw!

sarahufl

My philosophy is that you can't thank enough. If someone bought me that gorgeous dress I would be thanking her a lot Card now would be nice. Gift and card at the wedding as well. Also, maybe take a nice photo of you together at the wedding, in the dress, and frame it for her.

JCbride2015

Thanks everyone!  I'll go with the consensus then-- card now, card and gift later.  I love the idea of framing a picture for her after the wedding, too.

SapphireCounselor

Nothing to add. Your idea of framing a picture after the wedding is really sweet. Just wanted to say congratulations on finding the dress. Do you have a pic of the dress to share with us? I love seeing everyone's dresses!

JCbride2015

@SapphireCounselor Thanks!  I posted in CC but I'll always take an opportunity to show it off.  I lovelovelove it!

JCbride2015

Hmmm, having TK picture problems.  Here's the back:

a13049

Ettiquette wise, it would be appropriate to give her your thank you now.  Like you said, you can continue to thank her.  Me personally, a wedding dress is usually a significant wedding purchase and very personal gift to me as well.  I would find an additional way to thank her, like getting a picture of the two of you with you dress, blow it up and put it in a frame with a personal note on the back. I would love to have that picture around my home too, to tell you kiddos about later.   

YOur dress is gorgeous btw

HisGirlFriday13

Beautiful dress!! I'm also in the camp of sending her a TY now, then another when it comes in, then a gift at the RD. You really can't thank someone TOO much for generosity like this.

JCbride2015

Yep, I'll send her a card now followed up by a card and gift later, then the framed photo (love that idea).  My grandmother is very proper so I'm sure she will love getting multiple cards!

SapphireCounselor

JCbride2015 said:

@SapphireCounselor Thanks!  I posted in CC but I'll always take an opportunity to show it off.  I lovelovelove it!

So pretty! You're going to rock it.

lc07

Everyone else has you covered on etiquette. Just wanted to add that YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! And so is your dress. 

JCbride2015

@Ic07 you are too sweet! Thanks for putting a big 'ole smile on my face!!!