Also, plan on bringing a cardboard box wrapped in gift wrap and with a slit in the top to hold cards. If you use a basket or another open container, it is easy for wait staff or others to slip cards into their pocket. You want something that will be easy to spot if someone attempts to take it or get into it.

-First of all, I wrote on the backs of all the cards we received, what the writer of the card gave us.

-Second, when mailing the invites, I had a list of who got an invite, and out to the right I wrote how many in their party where coming when they responded. In a different color ink, I wrote what gift they gave.
-Now, using the same list, as I write their thank you note, I am putting a check mark in the left hand margin.

It's working for me.What ever works best for the bride.
They also sell wedding keepsake books and there is plenty of space to write what you received as a gift and who the giver was. I have one of these (bought it at Michael's). Some day, when all of the craziness is over, I will update it.

Penny