9 Important Things to Do After Your Wedding Day

Congratulations, you’re married! When Emily and I got married in early 2019, I was struck by how quickly everything went quiet afterwards. Months of lists, calls and deadlines, and then suddenly nothing.

There are still a few things worth doing once the dust settles. Here’s my checklist.

1. Back Up Your Wedding Photos

When your gallery arrives, download the full-resolution images straight away and keep them in at least two places, such as a computer and a cloud service.

My couples’ online galleries stay live for 60 days, so make the most of that time to download and share them with family. Then put the files somewhere safe. In my experience, phones get lost and laptops die, and wedding photos are the one thing you can’t replace.

2. Create Your Album or Prints

Put the finishing touches to your album and video while everything is fresh in your memory. Photos on a hard drive rarely get looked at. An album on the shelf gets picked up again and again, and it’s the one your grandchildren will look through.

3. Look After Your Wedding Dress

Get your dress professionally cleaned as soon as you can, before any marks set. Store it somewhere cool, dark and dry, ideally in a breathable garment bag rather than plastic. Whether you’re keeping it, selling it or passing it on, it’ll thank you.

4. Preserve Your Flowers

If you’d like to keep your bouquet, decide quickly. Flowers can be pressed or dried at home, or sent to a specialist who’ll turn them into a frame or keepsake.

5. Send Your Thank-You Cards

Aim to send these within a couple of months. Write ten tonight and you’ll be done before you know it. Using one of your wedding photos on the card is a lovely touch that guests often keep.

6. Leave Reviews for Your Suppliers

If your suppliers did a wonderful job, a review means the world. Most of us are small local businesses, and reviews are how future couples find us. Your venue, caterers, florist, band and, of course, your photographer will all be grateful.

7. Change Your Name (If You’re Going To)

If you’re changing your name, gather your documents and try to do as much as possible in one afternoon. My guide on changing your name after marriage has everything you need.

8. Sort Out Your Finances and Paperwork

• Check whether you’re eligible for Marriage Allowance, which can reduce your tax bill if one of you earns less than the personal allowance
• Update your will. In England and Wales, getting married generally cancels any will made before the marriage
• Update your next of kin and any pension or life insurance beneficiaries
• Decide how you’ll manage joint finances, and set up a spreadsheet that covers everything

9. Update Your Insurance, and Find Homes for Your Gifts

Review your home, car and life insurance now you’re married, as you may be able to combine policies. Then find a place for all those thoughtful gifts – and enjoy being newlyweds.