Post-Wedding To-Do List
Congratulations on your recent wedding! Now that you’ve tied the knot, you might be wondering what to do next. Here’s a handy post-wedding to-do list to help you get started:
1. Thank You Notes
One of the most important things you can do after your wedding is to send handwritten thank you notes to your guests. This is a simple way to express your appreciation and gratitude for their presence, support, and gifts.
Try to personalize each note with a specific detail that shows you remember something special about their presence on your day.
2. Name Changing
If you’ve decided to change your name after the wedding, you’ll need to update your records with a variety of institutions. You’ll need to obtain certified copies of your marriage certificate, which you can get from your county clerk’s office, and use these to change your name on your Social Security card, driver’s license, passport, bank accounts, credit card, health care insurer, workplace, alumni association, voter registration, and so on.
Don’t forget to also update your mailing address at the Post Office.
3. Wedding Photo Album
Preserve your precious memories through a wedding photo album! You can either hire a professional photographer and have them provide you with digital or hard-copy prints, or you can use online services to create a digital album with your own photos. Choose a style and size of album that suits your taste, and don’t forget to add captions and special details to make it uniquely your own.
4. Sorting Wedding Gifts
After the wedding, it’s time to sort through and organize your wedding gifts.
You’ll want to make sure you have a system for keeping track of who gave what and when, and make sure to thank everyone who contributed. If you received any gifts that you don’t want or need, you can consider returning them according to the store’s limited-time policy.
What to Do With Wedding Stuff
Now that your wedding day has come and gone, you may be wondering what to do with all of the stuff you’ve accumulated. Here are some tips for dealing with your wedding gown, bouquet, and decor:
1. Wedding Gown
Your wedding dress is probably one of the most sentimental and expensive items you own. To take care of it properly, you’ll need to have it professionally cleaned and preserved.
A reputable dry cleaner should be able to do this for you, and will package it in a special box that will protect it from moisture and sunlight. Consider preserving it with the thought of future generations inheriting it.
If you don’t want to keep it or know anyone who would, consider selling it or donating it to a good cause.
2. Bouquet
If you want to keep your bouquet as a keepsake, there are a few options. You can choose to dry it by hanging it upside down in a cool, dry place, or you can have it professionally preserved by a floral designer.
Vacuum seal domes are a popular option because they keep your bouquet protected and looking great for years. You can even press your flowers and use them as framed art!
3. Wedding Decor
If you’ve got a ton of wedding decor that you don’t want to keep, you can consider returning or exchanging it if you overbought. If you can’t return items, try selling it on sites such as Facebook Marketplace or other resale sites to recoup some of your wedding expenses back.
Alternatively, you can donate the decor to charitable organizations in your area that can use it, like your church decorating committee or a local school dance committee.
Post-Wedding Blues
Post-wedding blues are a real thing and can hit either or both of you hard. You might feel like you have nothing to look forward to now that the wedding is over, or that your bank account has taken a hit from all the costs.
But don’t worry, there are plenty of options available to help you get over the feeling. First, consider what you’ve got in the bank.
If you’ve received any wedding cash gifts, it’s a great time to plan for a dream vacation or a down payment for a new home. Both can help you feel like you have something to work towards as a couple.
In addition to these material options, also consider undertaking a new project together. Whether that’s starting a new hobby you two enjoy, attending concerts or shows, dedicating time toward community service, or house hunting, it’s important to have a fresh goal to focus on after such a long lead up to the wedding itself.
Setting a project as a couple can help you find renewed passion and excitement in your relationship. Not to mention, it’s a great way to channel your post-wedding energy and anticipation into something positive.
Looking Ahead
It’s an exciting time in your lives as a newly-married couple. While you may miss the fun and excitement of wedding planning, the good news is that there are lots of other things you can look forward to! The key is to keep the energy and anticipation going by planning new projects and adventures together.
- Home Improvement: Whether you’ve just moved into a new home or have been living together for a while, there’s always something to update or upgrade. Decide on a specific project, such as upgrading your kitchen or redoing your backyard. This way, you’ll have something concrete to work towards and can take pleasure in seeing the progress you make over time.
- Travel: Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a longer vacation, traveling as a couple is a great way to create memories and strengthen your bond. Consider your interests, budget, and time constraints to choose a destination that works for both of you. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and try something new – even if it’s just a day trip somewhere you’ve never been before.
- Classes or Workshops: If you’re still feeling a bit lost after the wedding, consider signing up for a class or workshop together. Whether you’re both interested in cooking, dancing, or learning a new language, it’s a great way to learn something new and connect with each other.
- Future Planning: Finally, don’t forget to keep planning and dreaming together. Make a list of things you both want to accomplish or experience in the next year or five years or ten years even! This way, you’ll always have something new to strive towards and look forward to.
Planning together keeps the energy alive and helps you both grow into a life together. In conclusion, post-wedding blues are normal.
It’s okay to miss the excitement and adrenaline rush of wedding planning, but it’s important to recognize that your lives together as a couple are just beginning. By setting new goals and projects together, you can keep the excitement alive and create new memories to cherish for years to come.
Enjoy the journey, and congratulations once again on your wedding!
In conclusion, the above article has highlighted several essential post-wedding to-do tasks that newlyweds should consider. These include writing handwritten thank-you notes, changing your name on legal documents, organizing your wedding gifts, preserving your wedding gown and bouquet, as well as planning for your future together, which can help counteract any post-wedding blues that may occur.
With careful consideration of each task, newlyweds can enjoy the remainder of their lives together with a strong foundation and a shared sense of commitment. These tasks can help you in laying the foundation for a fruitful and enjoyable life together as a couple, full of excitement and anticipation.
