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General Advice
Post Wedding Checklist: What to Do After Wedding Is Over
15 Jan 2025 •5 min read
You just got married, now what? First off, congratulations! It can be stressful at this point, but you are not alone. This post-wedding checklist will help you navigate those exciting first weeks and months of married life.
The confetti has settled, the dance floor is empty, and you're officially married! Whether you're reading this before your big day (hello, planner extraordinaire!) or scrolling through during your honeymoon downtime, we've got you covered.
After helping countless couples plan their dream, we've learned a thing or two about what comes next. Think of this guide as your friendly roadmap for newlywed life—from the must-do legal tasks to the fun stuff like honeymoon photos and wedding dress preservation.
While your planning might be complete, there's a whole new set of adventures (and yes, some paperwork) waiting for you. We'll walk you through everything you need to know, keeping it simple and stress-free. After all, you've just pulled off an amazing celebration, this part should be the easy stretch!
What to Do After the Wedding Is Over
The wedding bells have rung, and now what? From what to do after wedding ceremony moments to those first weeks of married life, there's a fresh set of adventures waiting.
Don't worry! We've mapped out all the essential things to do after wedding celebrations wind down, keeping your newlywed bliss stress-free and sweet. Let's turn those post-wedding tasks into simple, manageable steps that let you focus on what matters most: enjoying life as a newly married couple!
01.Thank Your Guests
The first thing on our after wedding checklist recommends is sending those heartfelt thank you notes. Pour yourself a glass of wine, cozy up with your new spouse, and make it a special evening activity. Those thoughtful friends and family members who celebrated with you deserve a personal note expressing your gratitude for their presence and presents.
02.Preserve Your Dress
Next up on our post-wedding to-do list is giving your gorgeous gown the care it deserves. That beautiful dress holds so many special memories - from your first look to your last dance. Whether you're preserving it as a family heirloom or considering resale, proper cleaning and storage are crucial for keeping it in pristine condition.
Pro Tip:
Take detailed photos of any stains or damage before sending your dress for preservation. Ask your preservation specialist about their guarantee and what happens if you notice yellowing or deterioration after treatment.
03.Update Important Documents
Time to make it officially official! Beyond just updating your driver's license, there's a whole world of documentation that might need refreshing with your new name. Think about everywhere your name appears—from your email signature to your gym membership.
Pro Tip:
Create a shared Google Doc with checkboxes for every place that needs updating. Include phone numbers, website links, and any specific forms needed. Share it with your spouse so you can divide and conquer these tasks together.
04.Review Your Vendors
Share the love with the amazing vendors who made your day special. Beyond just leaving reviews, consider which vendors really went above and beyond. Did your photographer capture every emotional moment? Was your DJ a master at reading the crowd? These detailed reviews help other couples and show appreciation for great service.
05.Organize Your Gifts
Whether you received physical presents or contributions through your honeymoon fund website, now's the time to get organized. Track who gave what, make sure checks are deposited and begin figuring out what to do with the wedding money you've received. Consider creating a spreadsheet to help manage thank-you notes and gift organization all in one place.
06.Create Wedding Albums
Don't let those gorgeous photos live only on your phone! Start selecting your favorites for albums and prints. Many photographers offer album design services, but you can also create your own through various online services. Consider making smaller albums as thank-you gifts for parents and wedding party members.
07.Plan Your Paper Keepsakes
Speaking of keepsakes, decide what you want to preserve from your wedding day. Your invitation suite, place cards, or wedding vows can be beautifully framed or stored in an acid-free box. Some couples even create memory boxes with items like their wedding day perfume or small decorative elements.
08.Finalize Vendor Payments
Wrap up those last financial details with your amazing vendor team. Take a final look at your contracts to ensure everything's been delivered and paid for—including any overtime charges or last-minute additions from the big day. If you used our wedding planner website to track your vendor details, now's the perfect time to do a final review and archive everything for your records.
Pro Tip:
Create a simple spreadsheet listing each vendor, their final balance, and any gratuities you plan to give. Include a column for tracking when final payments clear your account. Save those final receipts in a dedicated email folder - you'll thank yourself come tax season!
09.Clean & Store Decor
Those beautiful centerpieces and personal touches made your wedding uniquely yours - now let's make sure they stay beautiful! Whether you're planning to keep them as mementos, sell them to another couple, or donate them to a good cause, proper cleaning and storage is key. Take photos of how everything was arranged at the wedding - they'll come in handy if you decide to sell or repurpose items later.
Pro Tip:
Before storing fabric items like table runners or signage, treat any spots with a gentle stain remover and make sure everything is completely dry. Pack delicate items in acid-free tissue paper, and label each box with detailed contents. Your future self will appreciate knowing exactly where to find that special cake topper!
10.Close Wedding Accounts
Time for some digital housekeeping! Review any wedding-specific accounts you created during planning—from wedding registries to that special email address you used for vendor communications. Make sure any remaining gift cards or store credits are transferred to your personal accounts before closing things down.
Pro Tip:
Download and save any important planning documents, vendor conversations, or inspiration boards before closing accounts. Create a dedicated folder in your cloud storage to keep everything organized - it's amazing how often you might reference these details in your first year of marriage!
11.Sync Your Finances
Now for the exciting part: building your financial future together! Schedule a cozy evening at home to talk about your money goals and dreams. Whether you're combining accounts completely or keeping some things separate, having an open conversation about budgeting, saving, and spending habits sets you up for success.
Pro Tip:
Make this conversation fun! Order your favorite takeout, pour some bubbly, and treat it like a date night. Create a shared vision board for your financial goals - whether that's saving for a house, planning future travels, or starting a family. Having visual reminders of what you're working toward makes managing money together feel more exciting and purposeful.
12.Plan Your First Anniversary
It might seem early, but putting a reminder in your calendar now means you won't forget! Whether you're planning to follow the traditional first-anniversary paper gift tradition or creating your own celebration, a little advance planning goes a long way. Consider booking dinner at your wedding venue or recreating your first date.
Post Wedding Checklist
You've said "I do," danced the night away, and maybe even jetted off for an amazing honeymoon. I guess reading all of the above is a bit of a chore after all that! Let's break down what to do after your wedding with this simple checklist. Think of it as your roadmap for those first few post-wedding weeks, keeping you organized while letting you soak in all that newlywed joy.
- Write and send thank you cards to your wedding guests (aim to complete within 2 months)
- Get your wedding dress professionally cleaned and preserved
- Start the name change process (if you're choosing to do so)
- Download and back up your wedding photos
- Order wedding albums and prints
- Update your relationship status everywhere (from social media to insurance policies)
- Write vendor reviews while the memories are fresh
- Organize and record all wedding gifts
- Clean and store wedding keepsakes
- Closeout wedding-specific accounts and registries
- Make final vendor payments
- Handle wedding finances (depositing checks, using gift cards)
- Schedule your dress preservation appointment
- Merge households (if you haven't already)
- Plan something special for your first holiday season as a married couple
Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Don't worry! Our wedding planning checklist can help you stay organized even after the big day.
Remember, while some tasks (like name changes and thank you notes) should happen fairly quickly, others can wait until you're ready. The key is finding a pace that works for you and your new spouse.
Pro Tip:
Create a shared digital task list with your partner. It makes tackling these post-wedding responsibilities feel more manageable (and maybe even fun!) when you're working as a team.
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