How soon after a wedding do you send out thank you cards?

The three month rule is a good guide. It gives you time to recover from the wedding, open gifts, and write thoughtful notes without feeling rushed. Many couples find that writing a few cards each evening over a couple of weeks is manageable. You do not need to do them all in one sitting.

If you received gifts before the wedding, you can send those thank you cards before the ceremony. That takes some pressure off after the wedding. For gifts given on the day, begin your notes within the first week or two after you return. The longer you wait, the harder it is to remember who gave what and what you said in your speech.

Aim to have every card posted by the three month mark. If you are very busy, set a reminder at two months to check your progress. If you have not finished by three months, do not panic. Send them as soon as you can. A late card is still better than no card, but try to avoid going beyond four or five months.

Remember that your guests do not expect a novel. A few sincere sentences are enough. The timing matters less than the thought.