Your Post-Wedding Checklist: 15 Must-Do Tasks You Shouldn’t Miss

Congrats, lovebirds, you two are finally hitched! 

You pulled off the wedding, sealed the deal, lived every moment, and are now officially “husband and wife.”  

Kinda feels like floating on cloud nine, no?

But here’s the catch– don’t toss away that marriage checklist yet! There are still a few things you need to tick off before you ride into that epic, cozy, fun life after marriage! 

Think of it as your post-wedding cheat sheet of “essential things to do after getting married.”

So, before you disappear into that romantic honeymoon bliss, it’s time to figure out what to do after getting married! From legal musts to sentimental moves that will mean everything later, here is your post-marriage checklist with 15 must-do tasks you seriously shouldn’t miss!  

15 Things You Gotta Get Done After Getting Married

Okay, now that the “I dos” are done and your wedding shoes are finally off, it’s time to talk about what things to do after getting married.

Because, after all the wedding fun concludes, literally no one will ever tell you there’s a whole second round of things to handle.

That is why we are here to help! Some are sweet, some are serious, though, you need to get them all! 

Let’s get into it! 

1. Select the Photos for the Wedding Album

Now that you are over your wedding nostalgia, it’s time to pick the photos for your wedding album. 

Narrowing down your favorites for your wedding album can be tricky, but it’s a must! Try to aim for a well-rounded mix—a few candid ones, a few romantic ones, a few emotional ones, and lastly, a few formal ones! 

2. Set up a “Married Life Budget”

Money talk may not be the most exciting part of your newlywed life, but it’s definitely one of the most important! 

Because getting on the same page about finances is the key to a happy marriage. So, what do you need to do? Create a “Married Life Budget” to track your joint expenses, savings, and future goals. Oh, and keep room for fun too! 

Sounds complicated? But it doesn’t have to be! You can use any budgeting app or just a shared spreadsheet to get organized.

3. Handle All the Legal Work

If you ask us what the first thing to do after getting married is, we’d definitely say complete all the legal formalities! It’s indeed a big step in building your life together! 

A few of the “must-do” legal things to do after getting married are: 

• Update Your Name on All Legal Documents

• Apply for a Certified Copy of Your Marriage Certificate

• File for a Name Change with the Social Security Administration

• Change Your Name on Your Driver’s License or State ID

• Update Your Bank Accounts and Credit Cards with Your New Name

• Review and Update Your Will and Beneficiaries

• Add Your Spouse to Your Health Insurance Plan

• Create or Update a Joint Budget and Financial Goals

• Review and Update Your Taxes for Filing Status (Married Filing Jointly)

• Notify Your Employer of Your Name Change and Tax Filing Status

• Adjust or Create a Power of Attorney for Medical and Financial Decisions

• Update Your Voter Registration Information

• Transfer or Combine Retirement Accounts if Needed

• Review and Update Life Insurance Policies with Your Spouse as Beneficiary

• Set Up Joint Savings or Emergency Fund Accounts

• Update Your Auto and Homeowners Insurance to Include Your Spouse

• Review and Update Your Mortgage or Lease Agreement if Applicable

• Look into Changing Your Tax Withholding Status with the IRS

• Combine or Open Joint Credit Accounts for Building Shared Credit

• Address Any Debts and Discuss Financial Strategies with Your Spouse

• Ensure You Have Access to Each Other’s Digital Accounts (Email, Bank, etc.)

4. Create a Digital Album for Your Guests

Share the love! 

Your guests had a blast at the wedding, and chances are, they might love to see how it turned out through your lens. Once you have your professional wedding photos, consider creating a digital album with highlights from the day. 

Online tools like Canva, Flipping Book, My Album, Google Photos, etc., make it easy to organize and share!  

5. Write a Joint “First Year Bucket List” with Your Spouse

The first year of marriage is truly special, right? 

Sit down with your spouse and create a “First Year Bucket List.” It could be anything – visiting a new place, learning a new skill, starting a weekend ritual, trying a new recipe every month, or whatever your heart says! 

It doesn’t need to be fancy or complicated – it just needs to be meaningful to both of you! 

6. Return the Wedding Rentals

Once everything is packed up, it’s time to take care of the rentals! 

From decor items to glassware to clothes, make sure everything is returned on time. Check your contract for the return deadlines—some vendors need things back within 24-48 hours.

Not only is this courteous, but it also saves you from the hassle of paying unwanted additional late fees!

7. Share Your Wedding Highlights on Social Media

Your Instagram is waiting for the big drop! 

Share your favorite highlights from the day on your social media accounts to give everyone a short glimpse of your epic D-Day! 

Remember – Keep it authentic, full of love, and all about YOU!

If you have a custom hashtag, this is the perfect time to use it. If you don’t, we've got a few suggestions for you–

• #JustMarriedMoments

• #OurWeddingStory

• #HitchedAndHappy

• #PostWeddingGlow

• #WeddingDayMagic

• #MarriedLifeStartsNow

• #WeddingInspo

• #ForeverUs

• #WeddingPhotoDump

• #LoveCaptured

• #PicturePerfectDay

• #FromThisDayOn

• #OfficiallyOurs

• #CapturedWithLove

Don’t forget to tag your photographer and vendors to show your appreciation! 

8. Schedule a Post-Wedding Spa Session

Planning a wedding is exciting yet also exhausting. Once the big day is over, it’s the perfect time to experience the ultimate rejuvenation! 

Book yourself a relaxing spa session to release all the built-up tension. It’s a great way to slow down, reflect, and let the joy of it all really sink in.   

Think of it as a mini reset before diving into the next chapter of married life.

9. Update Your Marital Details With Your Employer

Now that you are officially married, don’t forget to update your marital status, emergency contact information, and other important details with your employer! 

This is necessary to ensure accurate tax withholding, add your spouse to your health insurance plan, and update beneficiary information for retirement plans.

10. Settle All Vendor Balances and Review Contracts

Make sure you are done and dusted with all the remaining payments to your wedding vendors as soon as possible. Double-check invoices, review what’s due, and settle balances promptly. 

This final step wraps up your wedding planning in a neat bow.

Also, this is a great time to show appreciation to your vendors, either by sending them a “THANK YOU CARD” or by leaving them with good reviews on the Internet.

11. Donate Leftover Wedding Food to a Local Shelter

If you had a lavish reception, chances are there were leftovers! So, instead of letting good food go to waste, consider donating it to a local shelter or community kitchen. 

Some caterers will even help coordinate the drop-off if you ask in advance. It’s a meaningful way to share the love from your celebration and give back to your community. A win-win situation for all! 

12. Shopping for Your Honeymoon

If you haven’t planned for your honeymoon right after the wedding, now’s the perfect time to start planning (and shopping!) for it.

Think destination-friendly outfits, travel-size essentials, and all those last-minute necessities you need for the trip, such as toiletries, accessories, footwear, etc. 

13. Get Your Wedding Gown Preserved Immediately

You sweated, cried, and maybe even fought off a few bridesmaids to find “the one” —your dream dress.

Now, the big question is– what to do with the wedding dress after the wedding? Does it deserve to sit in the back of your closet, collecting dust? No, right?

So, preserve it professionally with Trusted Wedding Gown Preservation. We offer expert wedding dress preservation services to ensure your wedding gown remains as flawless as it was when you first laid your eyes on it! 

The faster you send it, the better!

14. Update Your Social Media Profile Picture With Your Love

It’s a small thing, but updating your profile pic with a wedding photo feels like a sweet way to mark the start of your new chapter. So, choose a shot that captures the day's joy, whether it’s a big romantic moment or a candid laugh.

Bonus? It’s also a subtle way to let your extended circle know you’re officially hitched.

15. Send Out  Your “Thank You Notes”

Don’t underestimate the power of a heartfelt thank-you. 

Sending out thank-you notes to your guests, family, and even your vendors is a lovely way to close the loop on your wedding. Personalize them when you can—mentioning the gift, a moment you shared, or how much their support meant to you.

Thinking about when to send thank you cards after the wedding? 

We surveyed over 100 newlywed couples to determine the best time to send their thank-you cards after the wedding. The results show a strong preference for completing it within the first month, with a 2-4 week window post-wedding being the most popular timeframe.

Here are the results:

Beyond the Vows: Wrapping Things Up Right!

And, just like that, you exchanged the vows, danced your heart out, and began the next beautiful chapter of your life together! 

And, for a smooth transition to a happily ever after, we got you this checklist of what to do after marriage! Whether it’s juggling with the legal affairs or sending warm thank-you notes, this blog is a step into your forever! 

So, don’t stress, ladies! 

Tackle each task one at a time because married life isn’t just about the big day – it’s about how you move through every day, together!