Congratulations on your recent marriage! This is an exciting time, but after the whirlwind of the wedding, you might wonder what comes next. Planning your life together is just beginning, and there are several important tasks to take care of as newlyweds. This guide will help you navigate the first steps after the wedding to ensure your new life together starts smoothly.
Summary
After your wedding, relax and enjoy your new status as newlyweds. Update your social media, open presents, and start writing thank-you notes. Prepare for your honeymoon and spend time with family and friends. Handle important tasks like receiving your marriage license, changing your name if desired, preserving your bouquet and attire, and managing finances. Organise wedding photos, thank vendors, and return any rented items. Plan something new to look forward to, and enjoy this new chapter in your life together.
Things To Do After Your Marriage
Relax as Newlyweds
- After the excitement and busyness of the wedding, it’s essential to take a moment to unwind.
- Spend a quiet day together, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and reflect on the joy of your wedding day.
Make It Social Media Official
- Update your relationship status on platforms like Facebook and Instagram to reflect your new marital status.
- Consider changing your surname on your social media profiles if you decide to do that.
Open Presents
- Enjoy the fun of opening your wedding gifts, whether you had a registry or left it to chance.
- Keep a record of who gave you what to send out thank-you notes later.
Check Your Social Media and Wedding Hashtag
- If you used a wedding hashtag, now’s the time to look through the photos shared by your guests.
- Save any pictures you love and relive the memories of your special day.
Receive Your Marriage License
- Your marriage license might take a few weeks to arrive, depending on where you were married.
- This document is essential for other post-wedding tasks, such as changing your name.
Change Your Name (If You Want To)
- If you take your spouse’s surname, start the legal process with your marriage license.
- Update your Social Security card, driver’s license, bank accounts, and other important documents. Check out Vogue Ballroom Wedding Venue for your ultimate wedding reception.
Preserve Your Bouquet
- Consider having your bouquet preserved as a keepsake from your wedding.
- Choose between pressing flowers or having them sealed in a glass dome or shadow box.
Write Thank-You Notes
- Start writing thank-you notes for wedding gifts as soon as possible.
- Writing a few notes each day will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Pack for Your Honeymoon
- If you’re heading off on a honeymoon, pack and prepare for your trip.
- This will build excitement and ensure you’re ready to relax and enjoy your vacation.
Spend Time with Family and Friends
- If you have out-of-town guests, consider spending time with them before leaving.
- Host a small gathering, like a brunch or coffee, to show appreciation for their presence at your wedding.
Host an Informal Brunch
- Hosting a casual brunch the day after the wedding is becoming more popular.
- It’s a relaxed way to spend more time with close family and friends and to debrief about the wedding.
Thank and Review Your Wedding Vendors
- Send thank-you notes to the vendors who helped make your wedding day special.
- Leave reviews for your vendors online to help future couples plan.
Preserve Your Attire
- Get your wedding attire cleaned and preserved as soon as possible to keep it in good condition.
- This often involves a professional cleaning service specialising in preserving wedding dresses.
Save the Top Tier of Your Wedding Cake
- Traditionally, couples save the top tier of their wedding cake to eat on their first anniversary.
- Wrap it well and store it in the freezer to keep it fresh.
Close Out Your Wedding Registry
- Review your wedding registry and make any necessary returns or exchanges.
- Take advantage of registry completion discounts to purchase any remaining items you need.
Return Registry Gifts
- If you received duplicate gifts or items you don’t need, return them within the store’s return period.
- Some stores offer discounts on remaining registry items when you make returns or exchanges.
Plan Post-Wedding Hangouts
- After the wedding, reconnect with friends and family, as you may have been too busy to see them during planning.
- Schedule regular get-togethers to maintain your social connections.
Manage Your Finances
- If you haven’t already, now is the time to discuss and manage your finances together.
- Consider opening joint accounts, setting a budget, and planning your financial future as a couple.
Talk to Your Photographer About Albums
- Discuss options for creating a wedding album with your photographer.
- Decide on a style and format that will best preserve your memories.
Look at Wedding Photos
- Gather photos from your guests and professional photographers.
- Create an album or digital slideshow to enjoy your wedding day memories.
Share Your Photos
- Once you receive your professional wedding photos, share them with your guests and loved ones.
- Consider creating an online album or slideshow to share with those who couldn’t attend. Looking for the Best Wedding Venue in Melbourne? Vogue Ballroom is Melbourne’s Iconic wedding venue place.
Organise Wedding Rental Returns
- Return any rented items, such as tuxedos or décor, to avoid late fees.
- Make sure everything is accounted for and returned on time.
Combine Your Finances
- If you’ve decided to merge your finances, now is the time.
- Open joint bank accounts and update any financial information to reflect your new marital status.
Discuss Your Tax Filing Status
- Now that you’re married, you must decide whether to file taxes jointly or separately.
- Consult with a tax professional to determine the best option for your situation.
Update Your Insurance Plans
- Review your health, life, and other insurance policies to ensure your spouse is listed as a beneficiary.
- Consider combining health insurance plans if it’s beneficial.
Write Down Your Favourite Wedding Memories
- Take some time to jot down your favourite memories from the wedding while they’re still fresh.
- This can be a meaningful way to reflect on your day and can be revisited on anniversaries. Check out Vogue Ballroom Wedding Venue for your ultimate wedding reception.
Plan Something New
- Avoid post-wedding blues by planning something new to look forward to.
- Whether it’s a small gathering, a weekend getaway, or starting a new hobby together, having something on the calendar can keep the excitement alive.
Conclusion
Starting your married life on the right foot involves more than just enjoying the honeymoon phase. You ensure a smooth transition into married life by taking care of these post-wedding tasks. From managing legalities to preserving memories and nurturing relationships, each step is crucial in laying a strong foundation for your future together. Whether it’s updating documents or simply relaxing, these actions will help you and your spouse settle into your new life as a married couple.
FAQs About Wedding
What is important about a wedding?
It’s where it breathes life; it’s where it takes shape. Your ceremony is where you and your partner declare your chosen promises, vows, and aspirations together. To put it simply, this is where you celebrate your commitment together.
What is the main purpose of the wedding?
A wedding ceremony’s prime function is to provide the bride and groom an opportunity to make promises to each other. Those promises form the basis of their marriage and give the officiating clergy the right to pronounce them man and wife.
What colours are you not supposed to wear to a wedding?
Visitors should not wear all white to the wedding unless requested by the couple. Please refrain from wearing anything that could be mistaken for a wedding dress, such as white, off-white, beige, cream, or white lace.
What is the average cost of flowers for a small wedding?
According to our friends at Weddingwire.com, the average cost of wedding flowers in the U.S. is around $1,500 for small to medium-sized weddings and up to $5,000+ for large weddings. Whatever your wedding budget is, it is safe to start with 8-10% of your total budget dedicated to the flowers. ~somethingborrwedblooms.com.au
What is the best part of a wedding?
The traditions, the vows and all your emotional family members and friends make it one of the most special moments of your life.
