The months spent planning and anticipating your special day are finally over. Your wedding day has come and gone and is now a special memory you will hold in your hearts forever. But, now what? As much as it feels like all the work is done, you’re not quite in the clear yet! We have created the perfect post wedding checklist with tasks that must be completed as soon as possible once the wedding weekend ends or following your return home from your honeymoon.

FREEZE THE TOP TIER OF YOUR WEDDING CAKE

Freezing the top tier of your wedding cake is a long-honored tradition. It is something special you and your husband will enjoy on your first wedding anniversary that symbolizes good luck and prosperity.

WRITE AND SEND YOUR THANK YOU NOTES

Although writing, addressing, and sending 50+ personalized thank you notes doesn’t seem like a ton of fun, it is a task that has to be done! These notes show your appreciation to your closest family and friends that gifted you with items they found on your wish list. We always recommend having these completed no later than two months following the wedding date.

SIGN AND MAIL YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE

Even though the ceremony is complete, in order for you to make your marriage legal you MUST sign and send your marriage license to the county. Your marriage license should be signed by the bride, the groom, and the officiant. This document plays a vital role when it comes to changing your name and legally binds you two together.

OBTAIN MULTIPLE COPIES OF YOUR OFFICIAL MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE

Once the county has received your marriage license and recorded it, you will receive a certified copy in the mail (your official marriage certificate). We always recommend you pay the extra fee, if applicable, and request additional copies. You will need these for instances such as changing your name, your bank accounts, credit cards, and insurance.

GET A NEW SOCIAL SECURITY CARD

After receiving your marriage certificate in the mail, you MUST get your social security card updated. This requires you to print and complete the form available on the Social Security website. From there you will bring those completed forms and your official marriage certificate to your social security office. They will process your request and you will receive a new social security card in the mail within a couple of weeks.

UPDATE YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE AND/OR PASSPORT

Now that you have your new social security card, you can get your new driver’s license. Take everything you have with your new name, including your new social security card and head to the nearest DMV. As for your passport, you will need to apply for a passport name change. If you have had your passport for over a year you will have to apply for a passport renewal and pay a fee. Whereas if you have had your passport for less than a year, there isn’t a fee! Once you’ve changed your social security card and driver’s license, everything else should be a piece of cake. Some places may only require a phone call. Make a list (post office, employers/payroll, voter registration office, alumni associations and so on) and notify each organization one by one.

CHANGE YOUR BANK ACCOUNTS ALONG WITH CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS

In order to update your bank account, you will need to go to your local branch with your new driver’s license and marriage certificate. From there you should be able to get your bank account information updated and request a new debit card. As for your credit card, you will need to contact your credit card company and send them the respective documents showing your updated identification.

Once these tasks are complete you can relax and enjoy the newlywed bliss you deserve.

Happy Planning!