Your Newlywed To Do’s After The I Do’s
After your wedding day, and in the middle of transitioning into married life there are a few important post-wedding tasks that are really easy to overlook. We’ve curated a thoughtful newlywed checklist to help you navigate this period smoothly. Whether you hosted your wedding at Retreat 21 or are looking for guidance as a newly married couple, here are a few essential things to do after you say “I do”.
1. Store Your Marriage License Somewhere Safe
Your marriage license is one of the most important documents you’ll receive after your wedding. Once the signed and completed license is returned and processed, make sure you store it securely.
The best options to keep important documents safe include:
- A fireproof safe
- A secure filing cabinet
- A safety deposit box
- Waterproof document organizers
Experts at NBC News recommend taking steps to protect important legal documents from fire, water damage, and loss and recommend implementing a dedicated storage so that these documents can be easily accessible when needed. Additionally, having both digital and physical copies organized can save you time and headaches when navigating upcoming life milestones that require proof of marriage, including:
- Legal name changes
- Health and auto insurance updates
- Passport applications
- Tax documentation
- Joint banking or legal accounts
To store digitally, you can scan an encrypted digital copy on Dropbox or OneDrive. Having a digital version ensures you can reference the document even when you are away from home.
2. Leave Reviews for Your Wedding Vendors
Your wedding vendors played a huge role in bringing your wedding day to life. From photographers and florists to DJs, planners, caterers, and venues. One of the most meaningful ways to thank them is by leaving thoughtful online reviews.
Reviews help future couples feel confident when choosing vendors, and they genuinely impact small businesses in the wedding industry. According to wedding professionals at Anyvent, positive reviews can directly influence future bookings and help vendors continue growing their businesses.
A few ideas for writing a helpful review:
- Mention specific moments that stood out
- Share what made the experience memorable
- Include photos if possible
Even a short review can go a long way!
Pro Tip: Create a simple list of all your vendors before the wedding so you can easily revisit their review pages afterward.
3. Share & Tag Your Wedding Professionals on Social Media
When your wedding gallery arrives, it’s so exciting to relive the memories from your day and finally start sharing photos online! As you post, taking a few extra moments to properly tag and credit your wedding professionals can make a huge impact on their business.
Properly tagging your wedding vendors not only supports the businesses, but also helps future couples discover trusted professionals for their own celebrations. Proper image crediting is considered one of the best practices across the wedding industry.
A few best practices when posting your wedding photos:
- Share professional photos rather than screenshots or low-quality downloads
- Make sure all vendor information is correct and complete
- Tag vendors directly in both the photo and caption when possible
- Collaborating, versus simply tagging, key vendors is an even better way to thank them!
- It’s recommended to collaborate with vendors who directly shaped the visual and atmospheric success of your day, i.e. the Photographer, Venue, Planner, and Florist are some. Keep in mind you can only collab with up to 5 accounts!
As a bonus, consider sharing your full wedding gallery or a curated album directly with your vendors once it’s delivered. Vendors typically don’t automatically receive professional images from the day, and it’s another meaningful way to thank the team that helped make your wedding so special.
If you had your wedding ceremony or reception at Retreat 21, we absolutely love seeing your photos and memories shared online. Be sure to tag us on Instagram (@retreat21venue) and Facebook (Retreat 21) so we can celebrate alongside you and potentially feature your wedding as inspiration for future couples!
4. Changing Your Name
If you plan to change your last name after marriage, there are a few important steps involved if you decide to!
For couples who do want to complete a name change, after receiving your marriage certificate, experts at The Knot recommend to start with your Social Security card first. Once your Social Security Card is updated, you can move on to your driver’s license, passport, banking information, insurance policies, voting registration and workplace records.
To change your last name on your Social Security Card:
- Request a replacement Social Security Card. You can use their online questionnaire to determine whether you can fill out an application online or need to fill out an application in person at your local Social Security Administration office.
- After you fill out the questionnaire, they’ll tell you your next steps. This typically includes either mailing the required identification documents or bringing them into your local Social Security Administration office.
- After updating your info, the Social Security Administration will send you a new card for free. You’ll have the same Social Security number, but with your updated last name!
Important Reminder: There’s no timeline you have to follow. Some couples complete this process immediately, while others wait months or even years.
5. Properly Preserve and Store Your Wedding Garments
After the wedding, some couples carefully hang their gown or suit in a closet and forget about it entirely. However, proper wedding garment preservation helps prevent long-term fabric damage, yellowing, and staining.
Wedding dress experts at In The Bag Cleaners, recommend cleaning and preserving gowns as soon as possible after the wedding. Especially if there are invisible stains from makeup, champagne, sweat, or outdoor elements.
A few gown preservation tips:
- Don’t store the dress in plastic long-term
- Use acid-free preservation materials
- Keep it in a cool, dry environment
- Professionally clean it before storage
Even if you’re unsure whether you’ll keep, resell, repurpose, or pass them down someday, preserving it now gives you options later.
6. Write and Send Thank You Cards
One of the most meaningful post-wedding traditions is sending thank you notes to the people who celebrated with you. Wedding etiquette experts at Zola recommend sending thank you cards within three months of your wedding day.
While it may feel time-consuming, handwritten notes create a personal connection and show genuine appreciation for:
- Gifts
- Travel efforts
- Financial contributions
- Emotional support
- Attendance and celebration
To make the process easier:
- Divide cards into manageable batches
- Keep a spreadsheet of gifts received
- Write specific, personalized messages
- Order address labels ahead of time
Many couples say writing thank you notes becomes a meaningful way to relive favorite wedding memories together.
7. Take Time to Enjoy Being Newly Married!
After months (or years) of wedding planning, it can feel strange when everything suddenly slows down. Give yourselves permission to simply enjoy this season.
- Plan date nights without discussing seating charts
- Print your wedding photos
- Watch your wedding video together
- Cook dinner at home
- Start new traditions
While your wedding day is a significant milestone, your marriage marks the true start of your journey together.
Your Newlywed Checklist at a Glance
Here’s a quick recap of what to do after getting married:
- Store your marriage license safely
- Leave reviews for your wedding vendors
- Tag or Collaborate vendors when posting wedding photos
- Complete name changes, if desired
- Preserve your wedding garments, if desired
- Send thank you cards
- Enjoy the newlywed season together!
See Your Day Come to Life at Retreat 21
If you’re recently engaged and beginning your wedding planning journey, we’d love to help you create an unforgettable experience. We invite you to experience Retreat 21 in person and see how each space comes to life.
Schedule a tour to walk the property, explore our venue and ceremony locations, and begin envisioning your day!
If you are still searching for the right venue, we invite you to experience Retreat 21 in person and see how each space comes to life.
Schedule a tour to walk the property, explore photo locations, and begin envisioning your day.
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