Your Post Wedding to do list
Jenny Stamos
You’re sure to be exhausted by the end of your wedding day, but unfortunately, the planning doesn’t end when the last guest leaves. Here’s what to do ASAP – and what you can leave for a later date.
Hop to it
“There’s still a lot to do immediately after the wedding,” says Sharon Naylor, author of The Bride & Groom Thank-You Guide and The Busy Bride’s Essential Wedding Checklists. Luckily, we’re in an age where the bride and groom don’t necessarily leave for their honeymoon right away. “They may stay to handle all the post-event tasks and maybe even continue on to an after party,” says Naylor. Since many couples are paying for their own weddings, they’re the ones who will meet with the reception site manager and wedding coordinator to handle post-wedding business.
Parents and attendants can also volunteer or be assigned to take on post-wedding tasks. Just be sure to appoint a back up person to cover all of your bases in case the best man has had a little too much to drink, says Naylor.
Here’s what needs to be done post haste:
Paying the piper. Immediately after the reception, sit down with the banquet manager and wedding coordinator to turn in final payments,” says Naylor. Be sure to get a receipt that’s stamped “paid in full” with the signature of the manager and the date. This will serve as proof of payment in the case of any administrative snafus.
Giving feedback. While it’s still on your mind, take a moment to thank the entire staff for their work on your big day, says Naylor. If the band is packing up, let them know exactly what you loved. If the bartender is still around, thank him for a job well done. Everyone appreciates positive feedback, she says.
Picking up the pieces. Immediately after the reception, either you or someone you’ve designated ahead of time should collect and take home any keepsakes, decorations, rented items, gifts, or personal belongings that have been left at the site.
Tipping time. Either you or your delegate should hand out tip envelopes to the musicians, DJ, wait staff, bartenders, and parking attendants who contributed to your event.
Taking back the tux. Tradition dictates that the best man return the groom’s tuxedo on the first business day after the wedding.
Preserving your flowers. Your bridal bouquet can be a beautiful memory of your wedding for years to come – if you take care of it, that is. One option is to have your florist preserve your blooms, but be sure to get it to them as quickly as possible after the wedding. You can delegate this task to your mom, sister, or maid of honor. If you’d rather go the do-it-yourself route, hang your bouquet upside down with string or wire, and store it in a dark, well-ventilated location, such as a shed, garage, or large closet.
Leave for later: The following tasks can wait until you’ve unpacked from your honeymoon.
Cleaning your dress. Your gown may not look dirty, but the smallest trace of dirt or sweat can turn the fabric yellow over time. Visit a dry cleaner you trust within a week or two of the wedding, and be sure to mention any stains you’ve noticed – whether from grass, wine, or makeup. Trust this task to your mother or maid of honor if you’ll be honeymooning
for more than two weeks.
Telling the world. Once you’ve settled back into daily life, be sure to update your wedding website with photos and comments about the big day. This is also a good time to send wedding announcements to those who weren’t invited to the ceremony and place an announcement in your local newspaper.
Exploring the spoils. Have fun opening your gifts, but don’t put off returning duplicates or unwanted items. The sooner you return them, the less hassle it will be.
Choosing your photos. Get together with your photographer to review the proofs from your wedding and select your favorites. Give your family and wedding party a chance to choose one or two for themselves is a thoughtful idea.
Saying thanks. Post-honeymoon, experts recommend making thank you notes a top priority. Ideally, you should mail them out within two to four weeks. Addressing the envelopes before the wedding can help speed up the process. Don’t forget to express your appreciation to friends and family who helped with decorating, cleaning up, and getting you to the church on time.
Changing your name. If you’re making a name change, start spreading the word as soon as you receive your marriage certificate (usually two to three weeks after the wedding). Be sure to contact the following people or organizations:
• The Social Security Administration
• The Department of Motor Vehicles (Besides your Social Security card, your driver’s license is an important piece of identification that will come in handy when informing other companies of your name change.)
• Your employer
• Your bank
• Your landlord or mortgage company
• Your insurance companies
• Medical professionals (doctors, dentists, etc.)
• Utility companies (phone, electric, cable, gas)
• Credit card companies
• Passport office
• Voter registration
• Magazine subscriptions
Changing your status. When it comes to insurance and health benefits, getting married affects more than just your name; it also changes your status. Post-honeymoon, both you and your groom should confirm your newly wed status with all employers and insurance companies.
Congratulations! You’ve made it through the wedding – and everything that comes after