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| The author and her groom, Colin |
First of all, YAY! So you got married! You tied the knot, you took the leap, you exchanged vows, rings, and had some cake—now what? Of course, you go on to lead your wonderful, new married life, you enjoy the company of your partner, you support one another, you face challenges together. But everyone seems to think the planning and organizational parts of the wedding are over, well, when the wedding is over. For the most part, you’re home free—no more calls to the caterer, or the florist, no more cake samples (darn) or fittings. And can we call say, whew. Whether your wedding is big or small (even very small!), those aspects don’t come easy.
Still, there are a few remaining to-do’s even after the I-do’s have been said. Here’s a (relatively short) list of what’s left:
Thank you notes. Though some wedding etiquette experts will tell you that up to a year after the wedding is acceptable—come on. Who needs that much time? Emily Post herself says three months is the max. Besides: as busy as life tends to be, it’s only going to seem more inconvenient (not to mention weirder) to send thank-you’s the following September. As you open your gifts, write down the name of the giver and the item, having an easy list to refer to when you sit down to pen your notes.
Announcements. Have some people to tell about your happy news? Send these out with your thank-you’s. If too much time goes by, other faraway friends or family may hear your news from another source making things awkward for everyone involved. Tell the truth! Say you got hitched, kept it small, but were thinking of them. They’ll appreciate the inclusion and the courtesy.
Cleaning up. Almost any wedding comes with leftovers—flowers, candy from favors, excess ribbon, packaging, buttons, bows—you name it, there’s stuff (most likely) everywhere. Divide remaining flowers and arrangements among guests, and find a home for all the excess whether it be (neatly organized) in a closet, a box in the basement, a donation bin, or given to a friend. You’ll feel more at home once your place isn’t so cluttered.
Your dress (and his suit). Though it’s likely your man will get a second go (or two) out of that perfectly tailored, timeless piece—your beaded, embroidered, one-of-a-kind gown? Not so much. If you plan on preserving your dress, take it to a specialty shop for cleaning and preserving right away. For simpler dresses, other options include alterations or even dying for a new, re-wearable look! And, you can always donate or resell to a shop that purchases second-hand gowns.
Change your name? If you decide to do so, now is the perfect time to begin the process! The rules may vary somewhat from state to state, but The Knot provides a simplified step-by-step ruling, which starts when you receive the official copy of your marriage license!
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