POST-WEDDING CHECKLIST: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO DO AFTER THE BIG DAY
Your wedding day may be over, but the journey of married life is just beginning. Before you dive into your happily-ever-after, there are still a few important tasks to tick off your post-wedding to-do list. While the congratulatory hugs are over and the thank-you speeches are said, there’s still some final wedding-related admin to wrap up.
To help you make the transition as smooth as possible, we’ve put together the complete post-wedding checklist for newlyweds. From tying up loose ends to preserving your memories, here’s everything you need to do after the big day—tailored for couples here in Australia.
1. Collect All Your Belongings from the Venue
At Factory51, we always recommend that couples take everything home with them on the night of their wedding. This includes decorations, gifts, leftover cake, and any personal items. Prior to your wedding day, assign a trusted friend or family member to help pack and transport these items so nothing gets left behind.
Tip: Create a checklist of items to collect, such as your guestbook, wedding signage, or keepsake decorations. This ensures you don’t accidentally leave anything behind in the post-party haze.
2. Send Thank-You Notes
Expressing gratitude to your parents, bridal party, and guests is a must after the wedding. Whether it’s a handwritten note or a digital card, aim to send your thank-you messages within a month or two.
- For gifts: Mention the specific gift and how you plan to use or enjoy it.
- For attendance: Thank guests for being part of your special day (even if they didn’t bring a gift).
Tip: Consider including a favourite photo from your wedding at Factory51 to personalise your thank-you notes and act as a sweet momento of the occasion.
3. Organise Your Wedding Photos and Videos
One of the most exciting post-wedding tasks is reliving the memories through your photos and videos!
- Coordinate with your photographer and videographer: They’ll usually provide a timeline for delivering the final edits.
- Create an album: Whether digital or printed, compiling your favourite shots into an album ensures your memories are preserved.
- Share highlights with guests: Consider creating a shared folder or posting your favourite moments on social media to share with loved ones (don’t forget to tag @factory51weddings)
Tip: At Factory51, we love to share real weddings on our socials and website. If you’re happy to be included, we would love to receive your sneak peeks or a link to your full gallery after your wedding!
4. Preserve Your Wedding Dress and Attire
If you plan to keep or onsell your wedding dress or suit, have it professionally cleaned as soon as possible to prevent stains from setting. For Australian couples, there are specialists who offer wedding attire preservation services. Alternatively, if you wish to donate your gown, consider charities such as Angel Gowns Australia.
5. Finalise Vendor Payments
Whilst most vendors require payment ahead of your wedding, ensure any outstanding invoices are finalised as soon as possible.
6. Leave a Vendor Review
One of the most important things you can do is to leave a vendor review! Take the time to leave positive feedback for vendors who went above and beyond. Sharing your experience on platforms like Google or Facebook can help other couples in their planning journey, as well as the vendors themselves. If you’ve had a negative experience, we recommend trying to first resolve the issue with the vendor directly, before leaving any negative feedback.
If you hosted your wedding at Factory51, we’d love to hear about your experience and share in your joy!
7. Update Your Legal Documents
If you’ve chosen to change your name, this is the time to start the process. In Australia, you’ll need your official marriage certificate (which differs from the decorative one provided on the day) to update your records. You can apply for an official marriage certificate here.
Key documents to update:
- Driver’s licence
- Passport
- Medicare and health insurance
- Bank accounts and credit cards
- Superannuation and insurance policies
8. Return, Repurpose, or Resell
If you rented items for your wedding, such as suits, décor, or furniture, ensure everything is returned on time to avoid late fees. If you bought wedding-specific items, work out if you want to repurpose them in your home, or list on platforms like Facebook Marketplace for future couples’ enjoyment.
9. Preserve Your Bouquets
If you’d like to keep a piece of your wedding bouquet, consider having it preserved. There are a few local floral specialists that offer services like pressing flowers into artwork or creating resin keepsakes. These options make beautiful mementos for your home. Be mindful to book in early as their lead times may be lengthy.
10. Plan a Post-Wedding Getaway
If you didn’t go on a honeymoon right away, planning a mini-moon or a short trip can be a great way to unwind and reconnect after the whirlwind of the wedding. Australia offers countless romantic destinations from white sandy stretches to unexplored mountains, or even a luxury Brisbane staycation!
11. Sort Out Your Registry or Gift List
Take inventory of your wedding gifts and update your registry to reflect what you’ve received. As you open presents, ensure you record the name of the giver along with the gift, to assist in thank-you notes later on. You may even like to write the gift (whether physical or monetary) inside the card for easy reference.
12. Create a Keepsake Box
For the sentimental among us, keep all your wedding treasures in one place. Include items like your invitation, vows, menu cards, and even a swatch of fabric from your dress. Over time, this box will become a cherished time capsule of your special day.
13. Update Your Home and Shared Accounts
If you’ve recently moved in together or are combining households, take some time to streamline:
- Merge your utilities and household bills under one account
- Organise any shared finances and budgets
- Add personal touches to your space that reflect your new life together
14. Reflect and Celebrate
Finally, take some time to reflect on the incredible day you had and celebrate your new life as a married couple. A quiet night in with your favourite takeaway and a toast to your future can be just as meaningful as the grand celebrations of your wedding day.
Finalise Your Post-Wedding Checklist
The weeks after your wedding can feel like a whirlwind of tasks, but they’re also a time to savour the joy of starting your married life. By tackling these post-wedding essentials with intention, you’ll set the foundation for a strong and fulfilling marriage.
At Factory51, we’re honoured to be part of so many couples’ special days, and we love helping newlyweds begin their journey together. If you’re planning a wedding—or reminiscing about one you hosted with us—we’re here to celebrate every moment with you. Have a chat with our Event Manager today!
Images by Yan Chen Photography