What to Do After ‘I Do’ - A Handy Post-Wedding Checklist

With all the planning and preparation that goes into organising a wedding, another to-do list is probably the last thing you want to see after your big day has been and gone.

However, once you’ve finished riding that wonderful post-wedding high, you may well be glad of the distraction. Either way, it’s worth ticking off a few of these tasks before your first anniversary rolls around!
Here’s my handy post-wedding checklist to keep you on track…

1. Say thank you - Your guests will have gone to a lot of effort and expense to attend your wedding, so it’s important to show your appreciation. Handwritten notes take time, but they’ll make your friends and family feel loved.
2. Print those photos – Don’t let that USB stick languish unloved in a drawer, order your wedding album ASAP. Facebook is great for sharing images quickly with friends and family around the world, but nothing beats the look and feel of a beautiful album you can hold in your hands.
3. Share the love – Reach out to the wedding suppliers who made your day possible and thank them for their involvement. Where appropriate, leave an online review or provide a glowing a testimonial. I guarantee it’ll make their day.
4. Take care of the dress – Whether you want to sell it on or save it forever, you’ll probably need to have your gown professionally cleaned. To keep your dress in tip-top condition, experts recommend doing this as soon as possible.
5. Declutter the décor – Many couples spend the run-up to their wedding accumulating lots of décor and little details for their day. Perhaps you’ve been storing your centrepieces in the spare room or stashing a ceremony backdrop under your bed? If so, it’s definitely time to clear out the clutter. Return unused items, sell or donate things you don’t need and start married life with a clean slate.
6. Legally change your name – Or don’t! It’s completely up to you and you shouldn’t feel pressured one way or another. If you do decide to double-barrel or take your partner's name, you’ll need to find your marriage certificate, gather the relevant documents and make a list of everyone you need to notify.
7. Plan something special – Post-wedding blues are no joke. In my experience, the best cure is to give yourself something to look forward to. It’s never too soon to start thinking about your first wedding anniversary, so why not plan a romantic getaway or a small reunion with friends and family to mark 365 days of wedded bliss?

Until next time,
Happy planning!

Val x
Photo Credit – Davy Whitener Photography via Style Me Pretty

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