The Ultimate Post-Wedding Checklist: 20 Things to Do After Your Big Day

The big day has come and gone, and while you’re still riding high on the joy, love, and excitement, there’s a new reality settling in, you’re officially married! But before you fully kick back and bask in that just-married bliss, there are still a few important post-wedding tasks to take care of. It’s easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of celebrations and honeymoon plans, but staying on top of the final to-dos will help you start your next chapter smoothly and stress-free.

From practical admin like securing your marriage certificate and updating your name to sentimental gestures such as preserving your wedding dress and creating your wedding album, this post-wedding checklist covers everything you’ll need to tie up loose ends. It’s also a chance to reflect, show appreciation to your guests and suppliers, and take care of keepsakes you’ll treasure for years to come.

So, before you officially close the wedding chapter and dive into married life, let’s tick off those final boxes together. Here's everything you need to do after saying “I do.”

What To Do After your Wedding Day: The Ultimate Post-Wedding Checklist

Your Post-Wedding Checklist

1. Clear the venue
Make sure all personal belongings, decor, and gifts are collected and cleared from your venue to avoid extra fees or lost items.

2. Get your marriage certificate
Secure your official marriage certificate as soon as you can, it will be essential for any name change or legal admin that follows.

3. Leave reviews for your suppliers/venue
Your feedback helps future couples and gives thanks to the amazing team who made your day possible.

4. Pack for your honeymoon
Head into newlywed bliss stress-free by ticking off everything on our honeymoon packing checklist.

5. Have your wedding suit/dress cleaned
Get your dress or suit professionally cleaned soon after the wedding to preserve its beauty, whether you plan to keep or sell it.

6. Preserve your suit/dress
Store your outfit safely and properly. Check out our advice on how to store your wedding dress in more detail.

7. Freeze your wedding cake
Wrap a slice or the top tier of your cake in plastic wrap and foil before freezing it, so you can relive the sweetness on your first anniversary.

8. Repurpose your flowers
Donate blooms to a nursing home, preserve them as keepsakes, or honour a loved one’s memory, we share more thoughtful ideas in the article.

9. Reuse any leftover wedding favours
Get creative with any leftover favours by reusing them for future events or gifting them to friends and family.

10. Finish your gift list registry
Complete your registry and take advantage of any post-wedding discounts while closing out your gift list.

11. Write thank you notes to guests
A personal note goes a long way – thank your guests for their attendance, gifts, and support.

12. Legally change your name (if you want to)
If you’re opting to change your name, notify all relevant institutions like your bank, passport office, HMRC, and GP.

13. Update or create a will
Life milestones like marriage are a great time to review or create a will to safeguard your future together.

14. Start a new challenge together
Ward off the post-wedding blues by starting a new hobby, fitness goal, or project together as a couple.

15. Make a wedding album
Gather your favourite photos to create a keepsake album you’ll cherish for years to come.

16. Return or exchange unwanted gifts
Handle any duplicate or unsuitable gifts with prompt exchanges or returns.

17. Sell, donate, or recycle your wedding decor
Give your wedding decor a second life by selling, donating, or recycling it. Recycle My Wedding is a great place to start!

18. Buy a keepsake box
Store meaningful mementos – from your wedding invitation to special trinkets – in a keepsake box for safekeeping.

19. Remove your wedding website
Once everything has settled, take your website offline. If guests can still send gifts or messages, you might want to keep it up for a few extra weeks.

20. Enjoy that post-wedding bliss
Take time to unwind and savour this new chapter with your partner. For inspiration, check out our roundup of the best spas in the UK.

Your wedding may be over, but the journey is just beginning. From practical tasks to sentimental touches, this checklist will help you navigate the days and weeks following your big day with ease.

And if you’re dreaming about that next big adventure, don’t miss our guide on how to choose your honeymoon destination. Plus, start planning for future milestones with our article on anniversary gifts and milestones.