Updated: June 30, 2025
Congratulations, you’re married! You’ve made it through the excitement, emotions, and months of planning, and now you’ve officially tied the knot. Whether you’re heading off on your honeymoon or taking time to relax at home, this is your moment to soak it all in and enjoy newlywed life.
But once the confetti settles, there are still a few important tasks to check off. Enter: the ultimate post-wedding checklist, your guide to everything that comes after the “I do.” From sending thank-you notes and updating legal documents to preserving your wedding dress and leaving reviews for your vendors, the weeks after your wedding come with their own set of to-dos.
We’ve put together a detailed, easy-to-follow checklist to help you stay organized and stress-free, so you can finish any remaining tasks and move into married life with confidence.
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Return Rentals
Check your vendor’s rental policies and coordinate pickups for furniture, glassware, silverware, tuxes, dresses, and other rented items used at your ceremony and reception. Many rental companies offer delivery and pick-up services, but if they don’t, consider enlisting the help of family and friends if you need to visit multiple locations or require assistance with heavier items, such as outdoor heaters. Planning ahead ensures a seamless return process and reduces any last-minute logistical challenges.
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Ensure You’ve Paid All Your Vendors
Be sure to double (and even triple) check that all your hardworking vendors have been paid. Take a moment to review your contracts to confirm that you haven’t missed anyone. If you discover any outstanding balances, send payment promptly. While many vendors require payment before the wedding, it’s always a good idea to confirm that everything is settled and in order.
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Freeze the Wedding Cake
The tradition of saving the top tier of the wedding cake dates back to the 19th century, when it was originally preserved for a child’s christening. Today, most couples save it to enjoy on their first anniversary. If you plan to toast your first wedding anniversary with a slice (or two) of wedding cake, it requires some pre-planning. Ask your caterer to wrap up either a piece or the top tier of your wedding cake, and designate someone you trust to transport the cake back to your home. For tips on how to preserve your cake, check out our blog post on Saving the Top Tier of Your Wedding Cake.
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Manage Gifts
Organize and keep track of all the gifts you’ve received. This includes writing down who gave what to make sending thank-you notes easier. Using an Excel spreadsheet will help you keep track of the gifts and the thank-you notes. To help save you time, we’ve created a guest list spreadsheet that includes space to record the gift and check off when the thank-you was sent, helping you stay organized.
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Send Thank-You Notes
Now’s the perfect time to let your friends and family know how much it meant to have them celebrate with you. Sending thank-you notes is a simple yet meaningful way to show your appreciation, not just for the gifts, but for their love and support. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just heartfelt. Try to get them out within 90 days of the wedding; the sooner, the better. Trust us, your mom and mother-in-law will be so proud you checked this off the list!
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Return or Exchange Unwanted Gifts
Even if you registered, you may receive duplicates or items that don’t suit your taste. Don’t hesitate to return or exchange them, but be sure to do it sooner rather than later, as some stores have time limits. Remember, you will still need to send a thank-you note. And no matter what, every gift deserves a thank-you note; thoughtfulness always deserves gratitude.
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Vendor Reviews
If your vendors were prompt and professional, and everything went fabulously, there’s no better way to express gratitude than by leaving them an excellent review. While a thank-you card is thoughtful, sharing your positive experiences on public online review platforms, such as the Happily Connected review system, is highly valued. Your reviews not only show appreciation but also help future couples make informed decisions. By sharing your honest feedback, you contribute to a supportive community and help others select vendors for their special day.
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File Your Marriage License
Make it official! Ensure your marriage is legally recognized by filing your marriage license with the appropriate authorities. Often, officiants will take care of mailing this off for you, but if they did not, be sure to get it done because you will need it to accomplish some of the other tasks on this list.
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Legally Change Your Name (If You Want)
If you’re changing your name, begin the process by updating your driver’s license, passport, and other relevant legal documents.
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Update Contact Information
Update identification documents if you’re changing your name (Social Security card, driver’s license, passport, and your employer, banks, credit card companies, social media, etc.)
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Update Insurance Plans
Review and update your health, life, auto, and any other insurance plans to reflect your new marital status. Contact your insurance providers to update beneficiary information and evaluate coverage options that may now be available to you as a married couple. Ensuring your insurance plans are up to date helps protect you and your spouse financially, providing peace of mind knowing that you have adequate coverage for your future together.
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Update Your Beneficiary Designations
After your wedding, be sure to update the beneficiary designations on your life insurance, retirement accounts, and bank or investment accounts to reflect your new spouse. This ensures your spouse is legally entitled to any benefits. Also, review workplace benefits, such as AD&D insurance or HSAs, to ensure everything aligns with your new life together.
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Assess Your Will
Review or create a will to reflect your new marital status and beneficiaries.
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Give Everyone Your Updated Address (If Applicable)
If you’re moving, notify friends, family, and relevant institutions of your new address.
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Preserve Memories
Your wedding photos deserve more than just being saved in a folder on your desktop. Think about preserving the memories of your special day with a photo album, a video montage, or both. Start researching wedding photo albums and print services, so when your photo gallery is ready, you’ll be prepared to create something tangible and lasting that you can cherish for years to come.
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Have Your Wedding Attire Cleaned and Preserved
Whether you want to keep your wedding attire as a cherished keepsake or pass it down to your children someday, consider having it professionally cleaned and preserved. Instead of the standard dry cleaner, choose a specialty preservation service that can treat delicate fabrics and tough stains with care, then use acid-free materials and UV-protective packaging to prevent yellowing and damage. Whether stored in a preservation box or framed as art, your gown or suit can remain a beautiful reminder of your day for years to come.
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Preserve Your Bouquet & Boutonniere
Preserving your wedding bouquet or boutonniere is a great way to hold onto the memories of your special day. Whether you dry the flowers yourself or have them professionally preserved, you can create a beautiful keepsake. Displaying them in a shadow box or glass dome adds a personal touch to your home and reminds you of the love and joy you felt on your wedding day.
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Set Aside Items for a Keepsake Box
While you can’t keep everything, you can keep a little. We love the idea of creating a small keepsake box filled with details from your special day, like your bouquet and boutonnière, a copy of your invitation, a cocktail napkin, and your place cards. These tiny tokens can spark vivid memories for years to come. It’s perfectly fine to recycle most of your paper goods and resell any decor you no longer need, but don’t hesitate to tuck away the items that feel especially sentimental. Knowing a few special pieces will stay with you can make it easier to let go of the rest.
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Wrap Up Your Wedding Registry
Don’t forget to claim any remaining items from your wedding registry. Many stores provide discounts on leftover gifts, but these deals usually last only about 30 days after your wedding, so act quickly! Now’s the best time to buy those bigger-ticket items and complete your sets. (Nobody needs just one salad plate and a lone wine glass!) Once you’ve got everything you need, be sure to close your registry to wrap things up.
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Take Down or Update Your Wedding Website
After your wedding, managing your wedding website is important. Decide whether to remove it or update it with new information, such as transitioning from wedding details to sharing post-wedding memories, photos, or updated contact details. This allows guests to relive the special moments and memories created during your wedding. Consider creating dedicated photo galleries categorized by events or moments throughout the day, such as the ceremony, reception, and candid shots.
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Enjoy Some Quality Time With Your New Spouse
Lastly, take time to relax and enjoy each other’s company after the whirlwind of wedding planning. Celebrate your new journey together!
Click here to print your post-wedding to-do checklist!
Cheers to Your Happily Ever After!