Welcome to newlywed bliss! Now that the wedding is over you're finally off the hook for any wedding to-do's, right? Wrong! We regret to inform you of our list of post-wedding, pre-honeymoon tasks at hand…
This may be a buzz killer having thought you're finally free of wedding planning tasks. But, we'll make it easy for you. Just like with wedding planning, it's best to have an organized checklist of things to do! Only this time, it's before you take off on a romantic honeymoon. The stakes are lower, so you can exhale.
Some post-wedding to-dos on our list are fun. Go through wedding photos, sort your wedding gifts, deposit any gifted cash and grab any remaining must-have items on your wedding registry.
Others are more time-sensitive and require close attention and care. We recommend you write those thank you cards ASAP. (I can't tell you how many times my mom has griped to me about receiving a wedding gift thank you 6-12 months after the event!). Legally changing and updating your name depends on how much time you have between the wedding day and honeymoon takeoff. We'll go through that and more below…
Write thank-you cards.
“If there's a gap between your wedding and honeymoon, get a jumpstart on those thank you cards! Thank you notes for gifts received on your wedding day should be sent out within 3 months. Though, the sooner the better.
Split them up with your new spouse. Put a bit of personality into them and mention how you plan to use the gift. And, be sure to sign both of your names at the bottom of every note. You'll be so glad you did this in advance—ensuring this sizable “to do” isn't hanging over your head on your honeymoon!” – Jenna Miller, Creative Director of Here Comes The Guide
Sort any name changes to reflect your travel bookings.
“If you've decided to change your name, it's imperative that the name on your plane tickets match the name on your new IDs. There are a few ways to handle this. And, depending on where you live, there may be different rules and ease of change.
One option is, if your honeymoon is very soon after your ceremony (like, days after) you may want to stick with your former name during your honeymoon. Then, have everything legally changed and officially updated after you return. This way you don't have to scramble to get a new passport or ID in time. Keep in mind, US passport name changes can take 6 weeks to update. Or, 3 weeks if you pay to expedite the service.
Alternatively, if you have plenty of time to spare, book your flights beforehand with what your new name will be. Sites like NewlyNamed help simplify and expedite the name change process which can include collecting name change forms for drivers licenses, social security, passports, credit cards, USPS and more.” – Claire Eliza, Editor-in-Chief of Bridal Musings
Organize your finances.
“Take a moment after your wedding to ensure all tips have been distributed and all final payments have been made. The last thing you want to come home to is a past due balance!
Also, go through your wedding cards and deposit monetary gifts into your bank account. It’ll be nice to have some spending money on hand for your honeymoon—along with some savings! Swiftly cashing any checks you receive is also respectful of your guests. So, do that before you jet off to your honeymoon destination.” – Jenna Miller, Creative Director of Here Comes The Guide
Take care of your wedding gown.
“If you’re planning on keeping your wedding gown, it’s best to get it cleaned and preserved as soon as possible! Send your gown to a company that will handle the cleaning and preserving it, or task a trusted friend or family member to help with this if you’re heading to your honeymoon right away!” – AJ Williams, Founder & Creative Director, AJ Events
Prep for PTO.
“If you're taking time off work for your honeymoon, make sure you get all your ducks in a row first. Activate your email away message, wrap up any projects, cover your shifts, etc. You want all these nitty-gritty work responsibilities taken care of so you can fully relax and enjoy your getaway!” – Jenna Miller, Creative Director of Here Comes The Guide
Leave reviews for your favorite vendors.
“Writing reviews while your wedding is still fresh in your mind is the way to go. And writing even a short review can really make a wedding vendor's day—and boost their business! It can also help other engaged couples make their booking decisions. Leave your reviews on websites, social media, or simply email your testimonial directly to the vendor. It’s something quick you can knock out before your honeymoon that will mean so much to your vendor team.” – Jenna Miller, Creative Director of Here Comes The Guide
Check out all the recent social media posts.
“Did it take you a solid hour of creative thinking to come up with your wedding hashtag? You’ll want to get the most out of it! Take some time to scroll through Instagram. Screenshot, share, comment on, like, and save all of your favorite photos and moments shared from your big day!” – AJ Williams, Founder & Creative Director, AJ Events
Buy any must-haves leftover on your wedding registry.
“Take a little time to check out your wedding registry and see what’s left. Grab anything to complete a set yourself! If you notice that someone went ahead and purchased those stemless wine glasses you wanted, treat yourself to the automatic wine bottle opener that didn’t get purchased yet! Or, if someone took care of the dinner and salad plates but you didn’t get the matching bowls, get them yourself now. Some retailers even offer discounts when you have remaining items left on the registry. But those discounts usually only last for a short amount of time, so don’t delay!” – AJ Williams, Founder & Creative Director, AJ Events
Haven't planned your honeymoon yet? Here are 20 romantic honeymoon suites with private plunge pools included.
These tips were gathered with help from Be Inspired PR, a PR + Social Media Agency for wedding, wellness & lifestyle clients. With over 10+ years of experience, we’re here to take our clients to the next level! Find oodles of stylish wedding inspiration on their Instagram & Pinterest.