PW Guide Article: Tips for Handling Your Gifts

I would add that many gifts may come before the wedding in the mail.  Make sure you keep a list of these, because it will be easy to forget who sent you what gift.  Also, FI and I did not keep the packing list for these, and that was a mistake on our part!  The packing list of any presents mailed should include the address for the gift-giver, making it easier to address the thank-you envelope.

If you're going to have any kind of day-after gathering, that's another good time to open gifts. My mother is organizing a small brunch for our out of towners and my fiance and I are going to open their gifts while they eat (and if people really want to watch us open things, we'll keep going).