What Should You Do Right After Your Wedding?

Congratulations — you’ve just tied the knot! After the excitement of your wedding day, it’s easy to think the hard work is done. But as someone who’s been through it all at Vogue Ballroom, I can tell you the days following your wedding are just as important. 

From sending thank you cards and organising your wedding gift inventory to navigating name changes and preserving those precious memories, the post-wedding period sets the tone for your new life together. Whether it’s updating your driver’s licence or sorting through leftover decorations, these tasks can quickly pile up if you’re not prepared. 

I’ll walk you through a practical, Melbourne-savvy checklist to help you tick off every essential step. You’ll find real-world tips, timelines, and advice that take the stress out of post-wedding admin and let you focus on what really matters — enjoying your first months as a married couple. Let’s get started.

Say Thanks the Right Way: How to Show Real Gratitude After the Wedding

Send Thank You Cards That Guests Will Love

When my husband and I got back from our honeymoon in Daylesford, we were still buzzing from the wedding — but those thank you notes weren’t going to write themselves. If you’re anything like us, you’ll want to show your appreciation while the memories are still fresh and your heart’s still full.

Here’s how to get them done without turning it into another full-time job:

Timeline:

Task	Ideal Timeframe
Start writing cards	Within 1–2 weeks of returning from honeymoon
Send cards	Within 4–6 weeks, ideally no more than 3 months

Tips:

• Use your wedding photographer’s sneak peeks to design a personalised thank you card — guests love a photo memory.
• Start with family and close friends who gave larger or more personal gifts.
• Digital cards are fine for acquaintances, but for nanna or your godfather? A handwritten note will always win hearts.

One of my favourite notes came from a couple who thanked me not just for the espresso machine, but for “that chat over drinks at the engagement party that reminded us why we picked each other.” Honestly, it made my week. That’s the kind of impact a well-written card can have.

Write Vendor Reviews That Make a Difference

Your vendors made the day happen — from the florist who nailed your native bouquet to the celebrant who had everyone tearing up. They’ve earned a bit of praise.

Where to Post Reviews:

• Google Business
• Easy Weddings (especially big in Australia)
• Facebook
• Wedding Wire / The Knot (if you’re sharing internationally)
• Instagram shout-outs in Stories or Reels

Be specific. Say why the cake was so memorable (was it the lemon myrtle cream?), or how the DJ kept Uncle Bill on the dancefloor till midnight. A good review helps other couples — and gives local vendors a real boost.

And if something didn’t quite go right? Offer feedback gently, like you’re talking to a mate. One of my couples once had issues with delivery timing for the arbour flowers. They mentioned it in the review — but also noted how the team responded quickly and gave a refund. That kind of transparency helps everyone improve.

Tipping and Thanking Vendors (Even After the Day)

If you didn’t tip on the day — don’t stress. It’s perfectly okay to send something after, especially if someone went above and beyond. Like the venue coordinator who stitched your dress in a pinch (yes, that actually happened — and saved the whole night).

There’s no fixed rule in Australia like in the U.S., but here are some rough guides:

Post-Wedding Tipping Guide (Aussie-Style):

Vendor	Suggested Tip (if exceptional)
Photographer / Videographer	$100–$300 or a small gift
Coordinator / Planner	$100–$250
Catering Manager	$100–$200
Hair & Makeup Artist	10–15% or a nice bottle of wine
Musicians / DJ	$50–$150 per performer
Florist	A glowing review + small thank you gift

Even just sending a bottle of bubbly and a handwritten note can mean the world. I still remember a bride who dropped off homemade biscotti with a card that said, “Thanks for making our day smell like magic.” You better believe that florist kept that note pinned to her wall.

What to Do with All Those Wedding Gifts and Leftover Items

After our wedding at Vogue Ballroom, my partner and I came home to a lounge room that looked like a gift-wrapped cyclone had torn through it. Boxes everywhere. Two sandwich presses. Four framed prints of native flowers. And a whole table full of candles. It’s a nice problem to have — but you’ve got to tackle it before the clutter takes over.

Log and Sort Your Wedding Gifts

If you’re still coming down from the high of your big day, gift management might not be top of mind — but trust me, the sooner you sort it, the easier the rest becomes.

What I recommend:

• Grab a notebook or spreadsheet — note each gift and who it came from.
• Keep all gift receipts — you’ll need these for any returns or exchanges.
• Group gifts into these piles:
  
  
  • Items you’ll use right away
  • Duplicates (yes, it happens)
  • Maybes (you’re not sure, but don’t want to offend anyone)

One couple I worked with from Glen Iris set up a “gift unboxing station” the weekend after their wedding — wine in hand, phones out to snap who-gave-what — and knocked it out in a couple of hours. They even pre-addressed envelopes for their thank-you cards while doing it. Efficient and memorable.

Real tip: Most department stores like Myer or David Jones give you a completion discount on unpurchased registry items, but it usually expires 30–60 days after the wedding. Don’t leave it too long.

Return or Exchange Items Without the Guilt

Don’t feel bad about returning gifts that don’t fit your life. Your guests gave them hoping they’d bring value — and if that value comes in the form of a swapped-out food processor, so be it.

Common return scenarios:

• Duplicate appliances – If you’ve ended up with more than one air fryer, check if either has a receipt.
• No receipt? – Try scanning the barcode at the store or checking the online listing if it was on a registry.
• Wrong colour or style? – Some stores (like The Iconic or Target) allow exchange even without a receipt if it’s still in original packaging.

Pro tip: Many wedding guests now buy from online registries like MyRegistry or Gravy. These usually keep an automatic list of what was purchased, which makes returns and thank-you notes far simpler.

Deal With the Decor Before It Becomes Clutter

Melbourne weddings often include a lot of décor: candles, signage, florals, easels, throws. Especially if you’ve DIYed or hired a stylist. After the day, the question becomes: what do you actually want to keep?

Options to consider:

• Keep the sentimental stuff – Our “Welcome to Our Forever” sign now hangs in our home hallway.
• Sell the rest – Join Facebook groups like Wedding Buy Swap Sell – VIC. Local couples love a bargain.
• Gift leftover florals – Before leaving the venue, we handed centrepieces to our aunties and cousins. They loved it.

If you’ve got candles, votives, or signage without your names or dates on them — those are great candidates for resale. Keep everything clean, box it up, and snap some good photos.

Say Thanks With a Personalised Gift for Your Parents or In-Laws

You probably already thanked them on the day, but a follow-up gift after the dust settles can be incredibly meaningful.

One groom I worked with gave his dad a bottle of Shiraz engraved with the wedding date and a note saying, “Thanks for backing me since day one.” His mum got a shadow box of their ceremony flowers pressed and framed. Small effort — huge emotion.

My go-to gift ideas:

• For Mum – A pressed bouquet in a timber frame or a photo album of just her moments
• For Dad – A bottle of wine or whisky with a custom message
• For In-Laws – A framed group photo or a thank-you letter with a meal voucher

You don’t have to spend a fortune. It just needs to show thought. The kind that says, we noticed what you did for us.

Get Your Legal Life in Order: Name Changes, Licences & Docs

After our wedding, I thought the hard part was over. But then came the paperwork — and let me tell you, changing your name across every government department in Australia is enough to make anyone nostalgic for seating charts.

Still, this is one of those things you’ve got to get sorted early. Otherwise, it starts snowballing into real-life hiccups — like your Medicare card and passport saying different things when you’re trying to board a honeymoon flight.

Let’s break it down, Aussie-style, step by step.

The Name Change: What Needs to Happen (and When)

If you’re changing your name, you’ll need to do it in a very particular order — starting with your marriage certificate. And I’m talking about the official, BDM-issued one (not the pretty one from your celebrant).

“Back when I did mine, I had to wait a good 2–3 weeks after the wedding before the certificate arrived in the mail. Don’t start the process without it.”

Here’s the order most people find easiest:

Step	What You’re Updating	Where to Do It	Notes
1	Get your legal marriage certificate	Births, Deaths & Marriages (state-based)	VIC turnaround is usually 10–15 working days
2	Social Security / Centrelink	Services Australia	Free update with your marriage cert
3	Driver’s Licence / State ID	VicRoads (or local authority)	Take original marriage cert + ID
4	Passport	AusPost or Passport Office	Must match name on airline tickets
5	Bank Accounts	In branch, usually with ID and marriage cert	Some allow online upload of documents
6	Medicare Card	Via MyGov or in person	Link new spouse if needed
7	Employer / HR	HR department or payroll system	Update super and tax details at the same time

Don’t forget to update:

• Email signature
• LinkedIn and professional licences
• Utility providers
• Online shopping sites (especially subscriptions like HelloFresh or Amazon)

Use a Name Change Service (And Save Your Weekend)

I wish I’d known about this when we got married.

There are Aussie services like HitchSwitch and Easy Name Change that handle the bulk of the paperwork for you. They send you pre-filled forms, personalised checklists, and even envelopes with return postage.

If you’re working full-time, it’s a lifesaver.

Update Your Legal and Financial Life

Marriage isn’t just a name change — it’s a legal status shift. And that means revisiting your finances, policies, and legal documents.

Here’s what I walk couples through in the first month post-wedding:

1. Insurance Policies

• Update health, life, car, and home policies with your new marital status
• Add your spouse as a beneficiary

2. Superannuation + Wills

• Marriage cancels any previous wills in most Aussie states
• Update your super fund with your spouse as your new beneficiary

3. Employer HR Systems

• Ask HR to update your records
• Check your tax file number, income brackets, and benefits

4. Joint Finances

• Some couples open a joint bank account, others keep things separate
• At the very least, have a budgeting conversation and agree on how bills, rent, and savings will be shared

5. Tax Status

• Talk to your accountant or check the ATO’s advice on married vs single filing
• In Australia, your marital status might affect family tax benefits or Centrelink

Real Talk: Don’t Leave It Too Long

One couple I worked with — let’s call them Sarah and Monique — put off the name change for nearly a year. When they finally got around to it, their honeymoon booking for New Zealand had Monique’s married name, but her passport hadn’t been updated. Cue panic, rescheduled flights, and a big chunk of their travel budget gone on last-minute fees.

Even if you’re not changing your name, your marriage status affects your legal standing, superannuation, wills, and more. Best to get ahead of it.

Tip from a planner: Set aside a dedicated “admin day” with snacks, music, and all your ID in one place. Treat it like a DIY project, not a chore.

Save the Memories: Photos, Videos, Keepsakes & More

When the confetti settles and the last dance fades out, it’s those photos, videos and keepsakes that keep your wedding day alive for years to come. Back when I got married at Vogue Ballroom, I remember flipping through our wedding album weeks after the big day and thinking, this is what lasts — far beyond the flowers and speeches.

Here’s how to make sure your memories get the treatment they deserve.

Create Your Wedding Photo Album and Edit Your Video

You’ll get a flood of digital images, but the key is curating them into something you want to revisit, not just a folder of files you forget about.

• Sort your photos early — Pick your favourites within a month after receiving proofs.
• Professional album or DIY? — A good photographer often offers professional design services. But if you want a personal touch, there are easy online tools like Mixbook or Artifact Uprising that print great quality Aussie-made albums.
• Consider parent albums — My couple from Brunswick created smaller albums just for their parents with photos highlighting special moments they might have missed.

For videos, editing can be a daunting task if you’re going DIY. Most professional videographers offer highlight reels alongside full edits. Keep the highlight reel handy for sharing on socials and save the full-length for those quiet nights in.

Melbourne tip: If you’re after a uniquely local flavour, include shots from iconic places — the Flinders Street Station kiss, a snap with the Yarra in the background, or the neon lights of Chapel Street.

Preserve Your Wedding Dress and Bouquet

You won’t believe how quickly stains and fabric damage set in if you don’t act fast.

• Dress cleaning: Book your dress with a specialist cleaner within six weeks of the wedding. If your dress is silk, don’t wait. Silk can yellow quickly.
• Storage: Avoid vacuum-sealing or plastic bags. Use breathable garment bags or acid-free boxes. Hang the dress by the inner loops on a padded hanger.
• Refold the dress every 2–3 years if boxed, to avoid permanent creases.

For the bouquet:

• Dry flowers in a cool, dry place within days after the ceremony.
• Press flowers into a scrapbook or frame.
• Hire a preservation expert if you want a more permanent keepsake — some local Melbourne florists specialise in this.

One bride I know had her bouquet preserved in epoxy resin as a paperweight on her desk. Every time she looks at it, she remembers the nerves, the laughs, and the moment she said “I do.”

Build a Wedding Memento Box

This isn’t just about photos. Gather your invitations, programs, table cards, ribbons from your bouquet, even little notes you exchanged on the day.

• Store them in a decorated box or scrapbook.
• Include small details that don’t make it into albums but hold big meaning.
• Pull it out on anniversaries for a nostalgia hit.

When I help couples with this, I always suggest adding one new item each anniversary — a ticket from a first trip, a new photo, or a handwritten note.

Final Wedding Tasks You Can’t Forget

After the last guest waves goodbye and the music fades, there’s still a little more work to do. I’ve seen plenty of couples put these final tasks on the back burner — only to scramble later. The truth is, ticking these off early saves stress and money.

Return Rented Items and Wrap Up the Venue

Every venue has its own rules about what happens after the party. When I planned my own wedding at Vogue Ballroom, we had to coordinate returning rented chairs and décor the next morning, or risk extra charges.

Here’s your quick checklist:

• Confirm pick-up dates with vendors for tuxedos, furniture, glassware, or décor.
• Pack items carefully and label boxes — it helps with returns and avoids mix-ups.
• Check venue policies — some require you to leave the venue spotless the next day.

If you’re renting from a local Melbourne supplier, remember that weekends are busy, so schedule pick-ups early in the week when possible. That way, you avoid the post-wedding rush.

Review Your Contracts and Backup Files

You might think the contract side is done, but this is the time to double-check:

• Have you made all final vendor payments? Missing one can lead to awkward calls.
• Do you have digital backups of your wedding photos and videos? Store copies on a hard drive and cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox.
• Check if you have licensing rights to use your music or videos on social media, especially if you plan to post publicly.

Collect Guest Feedback and Share the Love

It’s easy to forget the voices of those who celebrated with you once the day is over. But guest feedback can be gold.

• Ask trusted friends or family what stood out to them — the good and the “could-be-betters.”
• Use feedback to write honest vendor reviews and testimonials.
• Consider submitting your wedding story to local wedding blogs like Easy Weddings or Polka Dot Bride — it’s a great way to celebrate your day and help others.

A bride I recently worked with got featured on a Melbourne wedding blog simply by sharing how her florist incorporated local native plants. It gave her wedding extra shine and made for some great memories.

Start Building Your Married Life Together

After all the planning, celebrations, and post-wedding admin, it’s easy to feel like you’ve run a marathon. When my partner and I settled into married life, I remember us both needing a proper breather before diving into “real life.” And that’s okay.

Adjust to Married Life at Your Own Pace

You’ve just pulled off one of the biggest days of your life. Take a moment. Whether that means turning off your phones for the weekend or booking a spa day in the Dandenongs, give yourselves permission to relax.

Melbourne’s unpredictable weather means sometimes a cosy day inside with a takeaway and your wedding album is the perfect plan. Or, if you’re more adventurous, take a weekend trip to the Mornington Peninsula and just enjoy being newlyweds without any “to-do” lists.

Set Your Next Life Goals as a Couple

One thing I always tell couples is that setting shared goals keeps your relationship strong — and your budgets sane.

Here’s a simple way to start:

• Pick a quiet afternoon and chat about your plans for the next year. Moving house? Saving for a holiday? Upgrading your car?
• Get a shared digital calendar — Google Calendar works great for syncing appointments, bill dates, and social plans.
• Consider making a vision board, either physical or digital, to remind you of your dreams and milestones.

Build a Foundation with Open Communication

Marriage is a team effort. Keeping lines open about finances, feelings, and future plans will save a lot of headaches.

When I worked with a couple from Ringwood, they found scheduling a weekly check-in (even 15 minutes) helped smooth out misunderstandings and keep them connected during busy weeks.

The days after your wedding are just as important as the big event itself. Taking care of thank you notes, legal updates, and preserving your memories early sets you up for a smooth transition into married life. 

From my experience, staying organised and ticking off these tasks one by one makes a huge difference. Don’t let the admin overwhelm you — break it down, ask for help if needed, and keep the focus on building your future together. After all, the best part of marriage is the journey you share from here on.