AisleDash

Life can be hectic for newlyweds, and you have to exercise great discipline to correctly play by all the rules of wedding etiquette. Some of these rules, you might argue, are a little behind the times, and maybe you decide they don't apply to you -- but there's one rule of etiquette that will probably never go away: you must send thank you notes for every engagement, shower, and wedding gift that you receive.

It's best to sit down and get started on these -- splitting the duty between the two of you, of course -- as soon as you can, or you'll be surprised how quickly the time slips away from you. But what if you do wait too long? Is it ever too late to send a thank you card?

Miss Manners says no, you must send them, better late than never. Don't make excuses, she adds -- simply apologize for your tardiness and offer up some thoughtful words describing your appreciation of each specific gift you were given.