The Ultimate Post-Wedding Checklist: 6 Tasks to Do

You did it! The wedding is over, and now it's time to enjoy married life. But before you can truly relax and begin your life as a newlywed, a few things need to be taken care of first. Use this post-wedding checklist to ensure you take care of everything before starting your new life together.
1. Change Your Name
If you've decided to take your partner's last name, you first need to begin the legal process of changing your name. This can be done by contacting your local Social Security office and filling out a name change form. You'll also need to update your driver's license, passport, and any other government-issued ID cards.
To save yourself some time and headache, make sure to notify your bank and credit card companies about your name change as well, so they can update their records. You should also update your name on any memberships or subscriptions you have. Not only will this save you from any potential issues in the future, but it will also help to prevent any unwanted mail from being sent to your old address.

2. Get the Wedding Pictures Back
One of the most important things on your post-wedding checklist is to get your hands on those wedding photos! If you hired a professional photographer, reach out to them and find out when you can expect to receive the finished product. If friends or family members took pictures during the wedding, be sure to ask them for copies as well.
If you think you might want to photoshop or touch up pictures in any way, hire professional photo editors to help you out. This way, you can be sure that your wedding photos are exactly how you want them to be and will be able to cherish them for years to come.
You'll want to make sure you have a backup of all the photos, so be sure to create digital and physical copies. That way, even if something happens to the originals, you'll still have the memories captured in your wedding photos.

3. Write Thank-You Notes
While it's not the most fun task on this post-wedding checklist, writing thank-you notes is definitely a must. You'll want to send out thank-you notes to everyone who gave you a gift, whether it was for your bridal shower, engagement party, or the wedding itself.
If you're not sure what to say in your thank-you notes, don't worry! There are plenty of resources and templates available online to help you out. Just be sure to personalize each note, so the person receiving it knows how much their generosity meant to you.

4. Update Your Insurance Policies
Now that you're married, you'll need to update your insurance policies to reflect your new relationship status. This includes your health insurance, life insurance, and auto insurance. If you have separate policies, you may want to consider combining them into one joint policy.
You'll also need to update the beneficiaries on your insurance policies. This is especially important for your life insurance policy, as you'll want to make sure your spouse is the primary beneficiary. Also, be sure to review your coverage and make any changes or adjustments that may be necessary.
5. File Your Taxes Jointly
Once you're officially married, you'll be able to file your taxes jointly as a married couple. Depending on your circumstances, this may result in a higher tax refund or a lower tax bill. Be sure to speak with a tax professional or use an online tax calculator to estimate what filing jointly will mean for you financially.
You can also use this opportunity to update your withholding, so you're not overpaying or underpaying in taxes. This will help to ensure that you don't end up with a big tax bill (or refund) at the end of the year.
6. Keep Track of Your Wedding Expenses
Finally, one of the most important things on your post-wedding checklist is to keep track of all your wedding expenses. This will come in handy if you ever need to file an insurance claim or return any items that were damaged during the wedding.
Start by creating a spreadsheet or folder where you can store all your receipts, contracts, and other documentation. Then, be sure to add any new expenses to it as you incur them. This way, you'll have a complete record of everything you spent on your wedding.
By following this post-wedding checklist, you can be sure that you've taken care of all the important tasks after your big day. This will help make the transition into married life smooth and allow you to enjoy being newlyweds!