The Post-Wedding Checklist You Actually Need (From a Newlywed Planner)
The confetti has settled, the cost of that last glass of champagne is hitting, and you’re basking in that newlywed glow. The big planning push is over, but there are a few important tasks to tackle to officially wrap up your wedding experience and start your new chapter off on an organized foot.
Now that I’m going through this myself, here is the official post-wedding checklist that I'm using to make sure everything is handled with the same care as the wedding day itself.
My box of pre-sorted thank you’s, blurred for our guests’ privacy.
1. Write Your Thank You Cards (The Smart Way)
The Task: Write a personal note to every single guest who gave you a gift. Grateful as you are, this still may make you groan.
My Advice: Start early, finish slow. When I had a spare moment before our wedding, I pre-sorted and addressed all of our envelopes. Being an October wedding, I knew we’d have ample opportunity to hand-deliver the majority of our cards to friends and family. I sorted our envelopes into sandwich bags by responsibility (Conner for his friends and family, me for mine, split the mutuals), delivery method, and deadline. Now, we will be able to chip away at our thank you’s as the opportunities to deliver them arrive.
Remember: You technically have a year after your wedding to deliver your thank you’s. Don’t rush.
2. Handle Your Legal Name Change (If Applicable)
The Task: Update your name on all your legal documents.
My Advice: Start with the big ones: get your certified marriage certificate, then head to the Social Security office, then the DMV. Once your new driver's license and social security card are in hand, updating everything else (bank accounts, credit cards, passport) becomes much easier.
3. Preserve Your Wedding Attire
The Task: Have your wedding dress and/or suit professionally cleaned and preserved.
The Planner Tip: Do this as soon as possible after the wedding, before any stains have a chance to set. If you’re heading straight to a honeymoon, delegate someone else to bring your dress to a preservation professional and pre-set the appointment. Research a reputable preservation company. It’s a beautiful investment in a cherished heirloom.
4. Review Your Talented Vendors
The Task: Write a review for the creative partners who made your day incredible.
The Planner Tip: This is such a meaningful way to show your gratitude. A thoughtful review is one of the most valuable things you can give a small business. It helps them grow and helps other couples find them. Try to think of something special they did for you, something you would want other couples to know, something that will help their particular value and perspective shine.
5. Design & Order Your Wedding Album
The Task: Don't let your beautiful photos live only on a hard drive!
The Planner Tip: This is the most important one. Your wedding album is the first heirloom of your new family. I know firsthand how easy it is to put this off, so my advice is to schedule a "design date night" with your partner a month or two after you receive your gallery. Go through your photos together and select your absolute favorites. It’s a beautiful way to relive the day and ensure your memories are beautifully preserved for generations to come. Plus, if you order them quick enough, they make the perfect holiday gift!
Warmly,
Natasha