You’ve probably spent the last year writing and revising to-do lists for the past year leading up to the big day and now that it has finally come and gone, all you want to do is sit back and relax with your new husband. But don’t put your feet up just yet, there are still a few things to do.
Change your name
Possibly the most exciting thing to do post-wedding is to legally change your name if you’re so inclined. It’s one of the worst things to put on the long finger because it’s easy to become one of those things you “keep meaning to do”.
Post-wedding preservation
Preserving things like your dress and your flowers are best done as soon as possible, particularly your bouquet. It only has so much life in it after all. If you’re planning on preserving your bouquet, make sure you keep it in water on your wedding day once you’re finished with it for photographs. It’s also a good idea to keep them up in your room instead of the hot reception room. Although most brides tend to skip preserving the top tier of the cake, but if you really want to stick to tradition, here's how to do it well.
Start writing thank you notes
We know they don’t exactly scream 'fun post-wedding task', but you don’t want to be known as those people who left it so late to send out thank you cards, everyone thought you just didn’t bother. The sooner after the wedding they’re sent, the better, and they take time to write so start early. To take the sting out of the job, split them in half and agree to do ten each together every night. If you have 100 to write, you’ll be done by the weekend!
Double check your travel documents
Depending on how soon after your wedding your honeymoon is, you might have to do your double-checking and even your packing before your wedding but if you have a bit of breathing room, now is the time to them and make sure they’re in order. Check out our guide to prepping for your honeymoon while you’re at it.
Order your wedding photos
Your photos will take a while to get to you so the sooner you order your photos and wedding album, the better. Check with your photographer when the photos need to be finalised and take the time to sit down with your new husband and choose your favourites for the wedding album. Even if you’re of the digital generation, a physical wedding album is still a keepsake to cherish.
Review your wedding vendors
A lot of work went into your wedding and as much as it may have felt like it was just you sometimes, it wasn’t. Every vendor you booked helped your wedding be your perfect day. How many of them did you choose based on word of mouth or good reviews? Give a little something back to the vendors that were exceptional in the delivery of your special day. Your glowing review could give them their next job. Make sure you tell your friends too.
Return any borrowed items
You may have borrowed some things for your big day to save on cost or just because you love that cute bracelet your sister has – and it made the perfect ‘something borrowed’ addition to your ensemble. But don’t forget to return anything you borrowed to its original owner. It can be easy to forget about those items in the midst of post-wedding bliss but don’t leave it until they have to come looking for it, and maybe add that into the thank you note you send them too.
Swap any duplicate gifts
Or, dare we say it, unwanted gifts. There will always be something that comes in that might not be your style. Don’t be afraid to swap it for something you really want. And there’s always a chance that you will get fabulous things, but who needs three sets of fancy cutlery or two kettles? Particularly for many couples who already live together, you might get some things you don’t need. But it’s better to do it sooner rather than later, because the longer you wait, the harder it will be.
Image credits: Bride and groom: Alta Moda Bridal | Bouquet: Loft Photography | Thank you cards: A Practical Wedding | Cake: Rising Lotus Photography