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How long do I have to send wedding thank-you notes?

The usual etiquette is to send wedding thank-you notes within about three months of the wedding, and within two weeks for gifts that arrive before it, such as shower or early registry gifts. If you’re past that, send them anyway with a warm note and no long apology; a late thank-you is always better than none.

A simple timeline

  • Gifts that arrive before the wedding: within about two weeks of receiving them.
  • Shower gifts: within about two weeks of the shower.
  • Wedding gifts: aim for one to three months after the wedding (or after the honeymoon).
  • Gifts that arrive later: within a few weeks of receiving them.

Making it manageable

Keep a list of who gave what as gifts arrive (most registries let you download one). Do a few notes a day rather than all at once, and split the list with your partner. A good note is short: thank them for the gift by name, say how you’ll use it, and mention their being there.

If time is the problem, Be Thoughtful can draft a note for each guest from your list for you to edit, then write them with a real pen and mail them, mailed within about a week. Arrival in the US usually takes 3 to 7 days after mailing.

A sample thank-you card front in our hand-drawn style
A sample card front in our hand-drawn style.

Questions

It’s late, but still worth doing. Keep it warm and simple, and a short “sorry this is late” is enough.

Yes. You don’t need to mention the amount; say what you’ll put it towards.

It isn’t required, but a short thank-you for coming is a lovely touch, especially for anyone who traveled or helped.

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