Wedding To Do List: What Happens After the Big Day

You've said "I do," danced the night away, and created memories that will last a lifetime. But as the confetti settles and your honeymoon tan begins to fade, you might be wondering: what now? While much of the planning conversation focuses on the lead-up to your ceremony, there's actually quite a bit to tackle once the celebration ends. This post wedding to do list will guide you through the essential tasks that follow your nuptials, ensuring you transition smoothly from newlywed bliss to married life.

At Joy Photo and Video, we've witnessed countless couples face the post-wedding period with varying degrees of preparedness. We've created this comprehensive guide to help you navigate this often-overlooked phase with confidence and ease. From practical matters like thank-you notes to sentimental projects like preserving your memories, this post wedding to do list covers everything you need to know about what happens after the big day.

Immediate Wedding To Do List (1-2 Weeks After)

The days immediately following your wedding might be spent in honeymoon bliss, but once you return home, there are several tasks that require your attention sooner rather than later.

Return Rentals and Borrowed Items

Before you jet off to your honeymoon, ensure someone is responsible for returning any rented items from your wedding. This includes:

• Tuxedos and formal wear rentals (typically due within 1-2 days after the event)

• Rental equipment like chairs, tables, and decorative items

• Any items borrowed from family or friends

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Many rental companies charge by the day, so prompt returns can save you money. According to WeddingWire's 2024 survey, couples spend an average of $500-$2,000 on wedding rentals, making timely returns a significant consideration for your budget.

Send Thank-You Notes

While etiquette traditionally allows up to three months to send thank-you notes, it's best to tackle this task while the memories are fresh. Create a system with your partner:

1. Create a spreadsheet tracking gifts received and notes sent

2. Divide the list between you and your partner

3. Set aside 20-30 minutes daily to write a few notes

4. Include specific mentions of the gift and how you'll use it

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Many couples add this to their post wedding to do list immediately after returning from their honeymoon. Personalized stationery can make this task more enjoyable. Check out Minted's thank you card collection for beautiful options that can match your wedding suite.

Preserve Your Wedding Attire

Your wedding attire deserves special care after its big moment:

• Wedding gown: Have it professionally cleaned and preserved as soon as possible (ideally within a month). Stains can set permanently if left too long.

• Tuxedo or suit: Dry clean and properly store if you purchased rather than rented.

• Wedding shoes: Clean and condition leather shoes, or store fabric shoes in a dust bag.

  
  

Looking for inspiration for your wedding photos? Check out our guide on Wedding Photo Tips for for Looking Natural When Camera-Shy.

Personal Updates & New Beginnings (1-3 Months After)

Once the immediate post-wedding tasks are handled, it's time to embrace your new status as a married couple with these meaningful steps.

Update Your Name (If Applicable)

If you're changing your name, consider making it a special experience rather than just another item on your post wedding to do list:

1. Celebration moment: Take a photo of yourself submitting your first name change document

2. Social announcement: Create a fun social media post announcing your new name

3. Personalized stationery: Order new stationery, stamps, or labels with your new name

4. Email signature: Update your email with your new name and consider adding "Newlywed" temporarily

5. New traditions: Consider starting traditions that incorporate your new shared name

Remember to update your name on social accounts too—it's a perfect opportunity to share a favorite wedding photo!

Create New Family Traditions

Your post-wedding to-do list should include establishing traditions that define your new family unit:

• Choose special dates for monthly or quarterly "mini-anniversaries"

• Establish holiday traditions that blend both of your family customs

• Create a shared calendar for birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions

• Plan regular date nights with themes or activities

• Start a tradition of capturing milestone photos to document your journey

According to a 2024 study by The Knot, couples who establish unique traditions in their first year of marriage report stronger bonds and more meaningful celebrations throughout their relationship.

Set Up Your Dream Home

Whether you've lived together for years or are just combining households, now is the time to create a space that represents both of you:

• Thoughtfully merge your belongings, keeping items with sentimental value

• Display wedding photos and mementos in prominent places

• Create a gallery wall with photos from your relationship milestones

• Consider a professional "at-home" newlywed photoshoot to capture this special time

• Update home décor to reflect your shared aesthetic

Don't forget to order thank you cards with your wedding photos to keep your gratitude stylish and personal. This is a beautiful way to share your professional photos with loved ones who contributed to your special day.

Preserving Memories (2-6 Months After)

One of the most meaningful parts of your post-wedding to-do list involves preserving the precious memories of your special day.

Organize and Share Wedding Photos and Videos

At Joy Photo and Video, we understand the importance of properly preserving your wedding memories, which is why this is a critical part of your post wedding to do list:

• Create backup copies of digital files on multiple devices or cloud storage

• Share photos with family and friends through online galleries

• Select images for printing and framing

• Choose favorites for your wedding album

  
  

Wondering what it's like to work with Joy Photo & Video? Check out our blog post about what sets us apart from other wedding photographers.

Create Wedding Albums and Keepsakes

Transform your wedding memories into tangible keepsakes:

• Design and order your professional wedding album

• Create smaller parent albums or gift books for family members

• Print and frame special images for your home

• Consider creating memory boxes with mementos like your invitation, dried flowers from your bouquet, or other small keepsakes

  
  

Professional albums typically take 2-3 months to complete once you've selected your images, so start this process early for the best results.

Review Your Vendors

Support the wedding professionals who made your day special:

• Leave thoughtful reviews on platforms like Google, The Knot, and WeddingWire

• Share your experience on social media and tag vendors

• Send personal notes of appreciation to vendors who went above and beyond

• Recommend your favorites to friends and family

Honest, detailed reviews help other couples find reliable vendors and support small businesses in the wedding industry.

Celebrating Your First Year Together (6-12 Months After)

As you settle into married life, a few special items on your post-wedding to-do list deserve attention during your first year together.

Plan Milestone Celebrations

Your first year of marriage is filled with firsts that deserve recognition and should be part of your ongoing post wedding to do list:

• Plan a special "monthiversary" celebration for each month of your first year

• Revisit your wedding venue for a picnic or dinner on your 6-month anniversary

• Book a mini photoshoot to capture your first holiday season as a married couple

• Plan a special date that recreates your first date, but as a married couple

• Start collecting ideas for your first anniversary celebration

Create Your Wedding Season Time Capsule

Preserve the magic of your wedding season with a time capsule to open on your 5th or 10th anniversary:

• Include a USB with your wedding photos and videos

• Add a copy of your vows and wedding program

• Write each other letters about your hopes for the future

• Include small mementos from your wedding day and honeymoon

• Add newspaper headlines or magazines from your wedding month

• Include a bottle of wine from your wedding year (if applicable)

According to The Knot's 2024 Wedding Trends Report, couples are increasingly creating personalized keepsakes like time capsules to commemorate their wedding day, making this a trending addition to your post wedding to do list.

Set Meaningful Couple Goals

Use this transition to married life as an opportunity to set intentional goals that bring you closer:

• Create a shared travel bucket list and plan your first major trip together

• Start a tradition of annual couples' portraits to document your journey

• Plan seasonal activities that you'll repeat each year

• Establish regular "unplugged" date nights without digital distractions

• Consider starting a shared hobby or taking a class together

• Create a vision board for your first five years of marriage

Embracing Your New Chapter

Completing this post wedding to do list marks an important transition from wedding planning to marriage building. While the administrative tasks may seem mundane, they're important building blocks for your life together. Remember that organization now leads to greater peace of mind later—allowing you to focus on what really matters: enjoying your new life together.

The most important item on any post wedding to do list is taking time to appreciate the journey you've begun. Look back at your wedding photos and videos regularly, reminisce about your special day, and use those memories as fuel for the adventure ahead. At Joy Photo and Video, we consider it a privilege to capture the beginning of your story and provide images that will remind you of your commitments for decades to come.

Remember that marriage is about the journey, not just the destination. Your wedding day was beautiful, but the days that follow—filled with both ordinary moments and extraordinary milestones—are where the real magic happens.

Choose Joy,

The Joy Team