10 Essential Post-Wedding Tasks: What to Do After the Big Day

So, the big day has come and gone—congratulations! But while the wedding itself is behind you, the fun (and a few important tasks) aren’t over yet. Don’t worry, though! We’ve got a handy guide to help you navigate the post-wedding to-dos, so you can transition into newlywed life without feeling overwhelmed. And remember, this isn’t a strict checklist—it’s just a helpful starting point to guide you in the right direction. Feel free to tweak it based on what works best for you and your partner!

Here are the 10 essential post-wedding tasks—organized by priority, but in a way that makes sense for YOU!

1. Make Sure Your Marriage Certificate Is Filed

This is one of the most important things to take care of after your wedding. Ensuring that your marriage is officially recognized means you’re all set for things like name changes, joint taxes, and all those other fun legal details.

• Check with your officiant or coordinator to make sure the marriage license has been signed and sent to the county or state office.

• Follow up with the clerk’s office to confirm everything’s been processed.

Once it’s official, you’ll receive a certified copy of your marriage certificate—keep this safe!

This is one of the first things you should tackle so you can handle other tasks (like legal updates) smoothly.

photographed by: capturedbyamandalynn

2. Take Care of Any Vendor Payments

We know, you just got married and now you have to think about payments again! But getting this sorted early helps you close out your wedding finances and ensures there are no surprises down the line.

• Double-check contracts to see if any balances are still due after the wedding.

• Pay vendors promptly to avoid late fees or missed payments.

The quicker you settle this, the quicker you can move on to enjoying your post-wedding bliss, debt-free!

3. Write and Send Thank-You Notes

Thank-you notes are a small but heartfelt way to let your guests know how much you appreciated their love and generosity. Plus, it’s a lovely chance to relive the joy of your big day while expressing gratitude.

• Make a list of all the gifts you received and the people who gave them.

• Personalize your notes: Mention the specific gift or experience you shared with the guest. It adds a thoughtful touch!

• Try to send them within 2-3 months: Etiquette gives you up to a year, but it’s always nice to show your appreciation sooner rather than later.

• Consider starting early: If you have time during your honeymoon or shortly after the wedding, it can be a great opportunity to get ahead on your thank-yous while everything is still fresh in your mind. Plus, it’s a relief to have them done early!

While you have up to a year to send them, completing your thank-you notes sooner helps you express genuine gratitude while reliving the joy of your wedding day. This doesn’t have to be stressful—maybe set aside a few evenings with your partner, pour some wine, and make it a fun task you tackle together.

4. Return Rentals on Time

It might not be the most glamorous post-wedding task, but it’s one you don’t want to forget! Items like tuxedos, linens, or décor usually have strict return deadlines.

• Check your rental agreements to confirm when things need to be returned to avoid any late fees.

• Delegate this task: If you’re off on your honeymoon or just need a break, ask a trusted friend or family member to help with returns.

Taking care of this quickly will save you from last-minute scrambles or unexpected charges, so you can relax!

5. Leave Reviews for Your Vendors

Your vendors worked hard to make your day special, and leaving a thoughtful review is a wonderful way to show your appreciation while helping other couples in their wedding planning journey.

• Leave reviews on Google, Yelp, or wedding-specific sites like The Knot or WeddingWire.

• Highlight what made them special: Whether it was your DJ’s ability to keep the dance floor alive or your florist’s creative designs, specific shout-outs are always appreciated.

• Be honest but kind: Constructive feedback helps vendors grow, but don’t forget to celebrate what went right.

And if you were especially happy with your vendors’ work, it’s not too late to show your appreciation with a tip. While tipping is often done on the wedding day, there’s no rule that says you can’t send a tip after the fact if you feel the service truly went above and beyond. A thoughtful gesture like this is always appreciated!

6. Preserve Your Wedding Dress and Bouquet

If you’re sentimental about your wedding day keepsakes, preserving your dress and bouquet is a sweet way to hold on to those memories.

• Look into dress preservation services to professionally clean and store your gown.

• Preserve your bouquet: If you didn’t toss it, consider drying or pressing the flowers to turn your bouquet into a beautiful keepsake.

While not urgent, taking care of this sooner rather than later helps prevent any damage to your dress or flowers.

photographed by: andyworks.c

7. Update Your Name and Legal Documents (If You’re Changing Your Name)

If either of you is planning on changing your last name, this will require updating a few legal documents. This process can take time, but it’s definitely something to handle once you have your marriage certificate in hand.

• Start with your Social Security card: Apply for a name change with the Social Security Administration.

• Update your driver’s license or state ID: Visit your local DMV to update your ID with your new name.

• Notify your bank and credit card companies: Update your financial information, and don’t forget to also update insurance policies, health records, and employer records.

You can take your time with this one, but it’s important to stay on top of it if you want all your official records to match.

8. Review Your Financial and Legal Plans

Marriage is a big life change, and it often means adjusting your financial and legal plans to reflect your new partnership.

• Update beneficiaries on life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and wills to include your spouse.

• Consider joint accounts: If you’re merging finances, now is a good time to open a joint account or discuss how you want to manage your money together.

• Check health insurance: You might want to add your spouse to your health insurance (or vice versa) during your employer’s enrollment period.

This is another task you can take at your own pace—what matters most is having open, honest conversations with your partner about your future together.

9. Organize Your Wedding Photos and Videos

Your wedding photographer and videographer likely captured some amazing moments! Organizing these photos and videos will help you relive the magic of your big day for years to come.

• Work with your photographer to get your photos and videos once they’re ready.

• Create a wedding album: Whether physical or digital, organizing your favorite moments into an album is a great way to preserve your memories.

• Share with friends and family: Set up a shared digital folder or album so loved ones can enjoy the pictures too.

This is a task to enjoy rather than rush—take your time sorting through the memories and finding your favorite snapshots!

10. Create a Wedding Memory Box

Weddings are full of little details and mementos that are fun to keep as souvenirs. A wedding memory box is a great way to store these items and keep them safe for years to come.

• Collect sentimental items like invitations, programs, table cards, or a piece of décor from your day.

• Add personal touches: Include special keepsakes like ribbons from your bouquet or a small piece of lace from your dress.

• Store it safely: Whether you keep it in a decorative box or scrapbook, this collection will be a lovely reminder of your wedding day.

This is one of those fun, creative tasks that can wait, but it’s a meaningful way to hold on to the little things that made your wedding unique.

photographed by: west_is_indigo

Final Thoughts

Your post-wedding journey doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By breaking things down into simple, manageable tasks, you’ll be able to tackle them without stress and with plenty of joy! Remember, this list is just a guide to help get you started—what matters most is that you and your partner do what feels right for you. Take your time, enjoy the memories, and don’t forget to celebrate every step of the way.

You’ve just wrapped up an incredible milestone in your life, and now it’s time to enjoy this exciting new chapter as a married couple!