What To Do After The 'I Do'

Couple Planning

All of the details you spent months worrying over have astoundingly come together: you said your vows, you cut the cake, you celebrated all night, and here you are…married! You may assume the planning is over, at last! But you still have a few things to wrap up in those first few weeks after your wedding day.

Pay Wedding Vendors

Before you skip town and head off on your honeymoon, make sure you pay the vendors who provided services for your celebration:

  • Venue manager
  • Officiant
  • Caterer
  • Baker
  • Musicians or DJ
  • Beverage provider
  • Florist
  • Wedding planner

It’s always a good idea to get a written confirmation from each vendor that the final payment has been processed.

Write Letters of Appreciation

Written thank you notes show your guests that you appreciate them and any gifts given to you. When writing thank yous, stick to a few short, sincere sentences expressing gratitude for attending your wedding and/or giving a gift. Send these within a month of the ceremony; make sure you have added necessary postage and use the guests’ most up-to-date addresses.

Return Registry Gifts

The next step is returning registry gifts. If you find any duplicate or unneeded items, returning wedding gifts purchased through your registry is as simple as taking the item back to the store or sending it back to the online company.

Choose Wedding Photos

If you decide to make prints of your wedding photos, meet with your photographer to select your favorites, make edits, and choose print sizes. Think of family and friends that would like to have a photo from the special day, or create a collage or photo book for your bridal party as a thank you.

Update Your Name and Marital Status

Facebook status changed? Check!

Now it’s time for those other official changes, if you choose to change your last name. Start the process soon after you are married. Here are some helpful guidelines:

1. Use your original marriage certificate to apply for a new social security card. Your social security number will remain the same, but a new card will be issued with your new name.

2. Bring your new social security card to your local Department of Motor Vehicles to apply for a new driver’s license (or State Identification Card).
Once your name is legally changed, update your new name and marital status with organizations such as:

  • Your bank
  • You and your spouse’s employers
  • Your insurance company
  • The Internal Revenue Service (at tax time)
  • Credit card companies
  • Student loan providers
  • The passport office
  • Medical providers
  • Utilities
  • Voter registration
  • Post office

There are change forms available online to make the name change process easier. Certain facilities charge a fee for name change and renewals, so be sure to work those costs into your budget!

Your thank-yous are out. Your extra gifts returned. And your name officially changed. Congrats! Now enjoy being married!

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