Hitched, Happy and More to Do!

A lot of planning goes into your big day. But just because you’ve tied the knot doesn’t mean that you’re done with wedding tasks. There’s still plenty to do after you’ve said, “I do.â€

Within the first year of your newly minted marriage, you’ll still have a long list of items that need to be addressed. Here are items that you should make sure are completed within the first year.

HANDWRITTEN THANK YOU’S

Opening wedding presents from your guests is an experience you’ll never forget. The generosity and well wishes from your closest friends and family can be overwhelming. Be sure to show your gratefulness by sending personalized, handwritten thank you notes within two months of your return from your honeymoon.

Depending on the number of gifts, the simplest way to tackle this task is in small chunks.  Commit to writing five thanks you notes per day and restrict yourself from using the gift until you’ve written the note to keep yourself on track.

PICTURES

Many photographers include an album as part of your photography package. You’ll want to schedule time with your new spouse to sort through all of the photos and order the album. Even if your photo package doesn’t include an album, you’ll still need to decide which photos are your favorites and decide how to preserve them. Set aside two evenings or about eight hours to make your selections.

YOUR BOUQUET

A wedding bouquet is a personal treasure from the most special day of your life. Make arrangements to have it preserved while you are on your honeymoon. Entrust a bridesmaid who will hang the flowers upside down to air dry for several weeks or you can arrange for a florist to preserve your bouquet professionally.

CLEAN AND STORE YOUR DRESS

Whether you decide to keep your wedding dress or sell it to someeone else, it’s a good idea to have the dress professionally cleaned as soon as possible. Removing all of the stains and smells is critical so you can pass it down within your family or list it for resale.

NAME CHANGE

If you’ve decided that you will take on your new partner’s name, the first thing you’ll need is a certified marriage license with your new last name on it. Then you can proceed to update your name on various official documents. Start by updating your name with the Social Security Administration by filling out the form and sending it in. Once you have this in hand, you can head to the local DMV to get a new license, change your bank accounts, and employee ID.

Your honeymoon is a well-deserved rest after planning the biggest event of your life. When you get home, there will still be a few wedding tasks to complete. There’s not a deadline for finishing these tasks, so it would be easy to put them off. Instead of avoiding the extra work, finish these tasks, and you’ll enjoy reaping the rewards.

Cheers!

The DuGaren Team