Guide
Wedding Thank-You Timeline: When to Send Each Note
Send a thank-you note within two weeks for any gift that arrives before the wedding, including shower gifts, and within three months for gifts given at or after the wedding. If you are running late, send the note anyway.
| What you received | When to send the note |
|---|---|
| Engagement or other gift before the wedding | Within 2 weeks of receiving it |
| Bridal shower gift | Within 2 weeks, or a few weeks at most |
| Wedding gift (registry, cash, check) | Within 3 months after the wedding |
| Help from vendors, hosts, readers, friends | Within 3 months, sooner is better |
| Gift that arrives late | Within 2 weeks of it arriving |
| Already past 3 months | Send it now. Late beats never. |
Keep one list from day one
Start a simple list the day the first gift arrives. Four columns are enough: name, gift, mailing address, and note sent. Fill it in as gifts come in, and check off each note as you mail it. It keeps you from missing anyone, and it makes the writing much faster later.
Write in small batches
Five notes a night goes a long way. Many couples write shower and early gift notes before the wedding so the list after the honeymoon is shorter.
What to say in each note
- Name the gift or the help.
- Say how you will use it or why it mattered.
- Mention their part in the day, or that you missed them if they could not come.
- Close warmly and sign with both names.
Example lines you can make your own
Thank you for the stand mixer. It made our first loaf of bread last weekend, and you are invited for the next one.
Thank you for celebrating with us at the shower. The towels are already in use, and we think of you every morning.
We are sorry this note is late, but we did not want to miss thanking you for the beautiful frame. Our favorite ceremony photo is in it now.
Thank you for the gift toward our first home. It brings us a real step closer, and we cannot wait to have you over.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you have to send wedding thank-you cards?
Within three months after the wedding is the widely accepted guideline. For gifts received before the wedding, send a note within about two weeks.
Do I need to send a thank-you for a shower gift if I thank them again for a wedding gift?
Yes. Each gift gets its own note, even when it comes from the same person.
Is it too late to send a wedding thank-you after six months or a year?
No. A late note is always better than none. Add a short apology and send it.
Who should get a wedding thank-you note?
Everyone who gave a gift, plus people who helped: the wedding party, hosts of showers or parties, officiant, readers, and vendors who went beyond the job.
Should both partners sign?
Yes. One person can write it, but signing with both names shows the thanks comes from the couple.
Send your thank-you, your way
Write your note in your own words, or start from a suggestion and change any word so it sounds like you. Send it as a free digital card by text or email, or have a real card printed in a handwriting style and mailed for you from $3, postage included. See mailed card prices.
Related: Wedding thank-you note examples · Thank-you card etiquette