What is the appropriate time to send a thank you for a wedding gift?

There is no strict legal rule, but etiquette in the UK suggests you should send thank you cards promptly. If a gift arrives before the wedding, you can send a note straight away. This is especially kind if the giver is not attending the wedding, as it lets them know their gift arrived safely.

For gifts given at the wedding itself, many couples wait until they are back from their honeymoon. That is fine. The usual expectation is to have all thank you cards sent within three months of the wedding. Some people prefer to aim for six to eight weeks, which feels prompt without being rushed.

If you receive a gift after the wedding, for example from someone who could not attend, thank them within a month of receiving it. The same applies to gifts that arrive late in the post. Do not wait for a special occasion to send the note. The sooner you write, the easier it is to remember the giver's kindness and the specific gift.

If you are struggling to keep up, write a few cards each evening. It is better to send a short note on time than a long one months later.