Your Essential Post Wedding To-Do List

The wedding day is filled with love, laughter, and joy, but it can also be hectic and stressful. After the excitement has died down, there are still a number of important tasks that need to be taken care of in the days and weeks following the big event. This is why it's essential to have a post-wedding to-do list to help you stay organized and on track. By completing these essential post-wedding to-dos, you can ensure a smooth transition into married life and have time to relax and enjoy your honeymoon. So, take some time to plan ahead and make sure that your post-wedding journey is as stress-free as possible.

Here’s your essential post wedding to-do list

A to-do list helps you ensure that all the details are attended to, so nothing falls through the cracks. Save this article for when you're ready to knock these off your list.

1. Thank your guests 

It’s important to take the time to thank your guests for their love, support, and gifts. You can do this by sending out thank you notes or even personal phone calls. Although it may require a significant amount of time, it's crucial to remember that your guests took the time and effort to attend your wedding. Showing your appreciation for their presence and well wishes is an important aspect of being a gracious host. 

If the task is too daunting for you to undertake, try Postable. It may help you save a lot of time and energy.  You can choose a design, compose a heartfelt message, and include the recipient's address (manually or imported from a spreadsheet) and the site prints a card, puts it in an envelope, and sends it (from $3 for each card, plus postage). Guests probably won't catch on, since Postable uses "smart fonts" that make letters look slightly different the next time they're sent. We recommend hand-written cards for the most authentic effect, but our etiquette experts sign off if the notes are personalized at least in part.

2. Change your name (if desired) 

If you have decided to change your name after getting married, now is the time to start the process. This typically involves getting a new driver’s license, passport, and social security card. You might also have to update your voter’s registration, vehicle title and registration and bank accounts to name a few. The process for name change depends on your county and state. Visit your local government websites to learn more about how to change your name after marriage.

3. Organize your wedding photos and videos

Make sure to get copies of your wedding photos and videos from your photographer and videographer. You may also want to consider going old school and have them professionally printed. It’s timeless and a good addition to your coffee table. 

Consider creating a keepsake box to store special items from your wedding day such as your invitations, decorative pieces, and mementos that evoke fond memories. This will serve as a valuable legacy to share with future generations and allow you to relive those special moments for years to come.

4. Make sure you haven’t left anything at the venue

Amidst the joy and excitement of your wedding day, it's important to double-check with your venue to make sure nothing was left behind. Additionally, don't forget to express gratitude to everyone who played a role in making your special day a success. Consider leaving positive reviews for your venue and vendors as well, as it will be beneficial for their business.

5. File for your marriage license (if you haven’t done so already) 

Don't forget to file for your marriage license. This is typically done by the person who performed the ceremony, but it’s always a good idea to double check to make sure it’s been filed properly.

6. Update your legal and financial documents 

After tying the knot, it's important to update your wills and consider establishing a joint bank account, particularly if you own a home and have a mortgage together. If you need assistance with these tasks, seek the advice of professionals who can guide you through the process. Notify appropriate places once you’ve changed your name like your place of employment.

Consider using a service like Trust & Will for your estate planning needs. They make estate planning simple and affordable. Plus, the whole process can be done online. Every plan is legally-valid, state specific, and created to meet your specific needs.

7. Preserve your wedding dress and or suit 

If you plan on preserving your wedding dress, now is the time to have it cleaned and packaged for storage. To preserve your wedding attire for sentimental reasons or pass it on to future generations, it's advisable to have it professionally cleaned promptly. Despite your best efforts to keep it free from food, drink, and makeup during the big day, it may still end up with some dirt and stains. A professional cleaning service will help ensure your attire is kept in the best condition possible.

8. Relax and enjoy your honeymoon

If you haven't already, take the time to relax and enjoy your honeymoon. This is a great opportunity to spend quality time together and reflect on your special day. Make sure you find places where you really can enjoy and rest, there are plenty of honeymoon destinations where you can find that.

9. Review vendor contracts and settle any remaining balances 

Make sure to review all vendor contracts and settle any remaining balances. This includes photographers, florists, caterers, and other vendors who provided services for your wedding. Also, don’t forget to return rental items. If you rented any items for the wedding, such as tuxedos, chairs, or tableware, make sure to return them in a timely manner.

If you were thoroughly happy with the services of your vendors, you might even want to leave them a good review. Your words of appreciation can go a long way and it's always beneficial to let your vendors know just how much you valued their work.

10. Return or exchange unwanted gifts

You might want to tackle this project ASAP because many stores have a limited return window. Even if you put a list together or have a registry sometimes you may receive presents that just aren’t quite up to your liking or receive duplicates. 

11. Take down your wedding website (if you created one) 

If you and your spouse utilized a wedding website to communicate with guests, you may want to consider taking it down shortly after the wedding if you're paying a fee for its use. On the other hand, if guests are able to make contributions or send gifts through the site, it may be helpful to keep it active for a few months in case anyone still wants to offer their well wishes.

Why it’s important to have a to-do list after your wedding  

Having a post-wedding to-do list is crucial for ensuring that everything is taken care of after the big day. It's a time-honored tradition to follow up with guests, vendors, and the venue to ensure that everyone is satisfied and everything is left in good order. Weddings can be an elaborate and complex affair, with many moving parts. 

A to-do list helps you ensure that all the details are attended to, so nothing falls through the cracks. You and your spouse want to express your gratitude to all of the guests, vendors, and venue staff who helped make your day special. It can help you keep track of who you need to thank and how and also help you prioritize and keep track of what needs to be done, especially in the days and weeks after the wedding when there are many things that need to be taken care of.