Wedding Planning To-Dos for After the Wedding

Just because you’ve said “I do” and have returned from your honeymoon doesn’t mean your wedding to-dos are done. There are a number is tasks to tend to including: writing thank-you notes, changing your name and editing your wedding album.

I gave an interview to LifeShield Security on what newlyweds need to do after the wedding, plus a few married life to-dos you may find helpful, including how to keep the romance alive throughout your first year as husband and wife.

You can read it at lifeshield.com

Yes Writing Thank-You Notes is a Drag

But it has to get done.

I got my order of thank-you notes for the baby gifts we've been receiving but I keep putting off sitting down and writing them.  I have the list of who sent what and I even spent 30 minutes on line at the post office buying the "Sunday Funnies" stamps because I thought they were appropriate for a little boy.  I just can't either find the time or make the time - I haven't decided which - to sit down and write them.  I promised Dave I would have them done this week.  Or was it next week?

When you get home from your honeymoon you should set time aside to write your thank-you notes.  And both you and your husband should write them.  You can divide them by family and friends or just divide the list in half.

If you're not sure what to write simply put that you loved the gift, mention what it is and how you plan on using it.  For example:  We loved the griddle you gave us.  Jack makes me pancakes every Sunday and can't wait to start cooking with it!

If the gift is money you can write:  Thank you for your generous gift.  We plan on putting it towards renovating our kitchen.  Can't wait to have you over for dinner once it's done!

Give yourself a deadline of when to write and mail all of your thank yous.  Etiquette says you have two months from your honeymoon to complete this final wedding to-do, but try and get them done as soon as possible.

Don't Forget to Order Thank You Notecards

A bride recently asked me if she orders thank you notecards to send notes for engagement gifts is it okay to just put the couple's first names, like:  Jack & Jill or should they use the monogram they are creating for their wedding.

My answer:  You can put whatever you want on your thank you cards but it's not appropriate to use your married initial until after you're married.  Many stationers will suggest that you create a monogram using your first initials for the wedding invitation because you aren't married and using your new last name until after the wedding.

So technically you can create a married monogram for items at the cocktail hour (if you have your ceremony first) and the wedding reception.  But stick to your first names and your maiden name until you say, "I do."

Rocks, Paper...Thank You

Before you run out and order custom thank you notes with your names on them, pick up a few boxes of something in the bridal spirit.

Since you may not find the perfect formal card right away, and it may take sometime for the order to be delivered, you should have a few cards on hand for engagement gifts that arrive sooner than expected.

These Bling Bling Thank You Notes by Greenwich Letterpress may not match the exact design of your rock, but they still get the point across.

The cards are sold in sets of 8, giving you 2 cards in each design and cost $16 for a set.

Thank You Very Much

For every gift you receive during your engagement, you’ll want to send the giver a thank you note. You can purchase notecards at your local stationery store, or order personalized cards that reflect both of your personalities. You can choose something fun or formal.

If you already know what your wedding theme and palette will be, then order thank you notes that reflect the wedding. You can use them throughout your engagement and even into your married life.

Here are a few tips on writing a thank you note:

1 - Express your gratitude for the gift: "Thank you so much for the cappuccino maker." or "Thank you for your generous gift."

2 - Mention how you plan on using the item: "John loves it, and has begun making us cappuccinos after dinner each night." or "We plan on putting it toward our new home."

3 - Mention the future: "We're looking forward to celebrating with you at our wedding."

4 - You must send a note per each gift your receive, so if Aunt Jane sends an engagement, shower and wedding gift, send her 3 notes - one for each gift.

5 - Send thank you notes in a timely manner. Within 2 weeks of receiving an engagement or shower gift, and for your wedding, within 8 weeks from returning from your honeymoon.

The note featured above is one of the many designs available at fabulousstationery.com.

When you care enough to send the very best...

Engagement gifts. Shower gifts. Wedding gifts. For each one you receive, you must send the gift giver a thank you note. But what do you write?

To make it easier on the busy bride, Knock Knock created Multiple-Choice Correspondence Notecards. These thank you notes are pretty in pink and offer multiple choices for the typical wedding thank you note, so you don't have to spend precious planning time on trying to think of the right wording.