Image by By Siv-Elin

Your vows have been exchanged, the cake has been cut, and the last dance is behind you. So—what comes next? After the celebration winds down, there are still a few meaningful tasks to complete. From practical to-do’s like finalizing paperwork and payments to more thoughtful gestures like preserving your dress or donating your flowers, this post-wedding checklist will help you tie up every last detail. You’ve spent months planning a day full of love and meaning—now’s the time to close it out with that same care and intention.

Your Post-Wedding Checklist

1. Set Aside Items for a Keepsake Box

While you can’t keep everything, you can keep a little. We love the idea of creating a small keepsake box filled with details from your day—like a dried boutonnière, a copy of your invitation, a cocktail napkin, or a handful of toss petals. These tiny tokens can spark vivid memories for years to come. It’s perfectly fine to recycle most of your paper goods and resell any decor you no longer need, but don’t hesitate to tuck away the items that feel especially sentimental. Knowing a few special pieces will stay with you can make it easier to let go of the rest.

2. Donate Leftover Food and Flowers

One of the most overlooked post-wedding tasks? Deciding what to do with all the leftover food and flowers. Start by asking your caterer to package up any surplus that’s safe to donate. You can then coordinate with a local food rescue or nonprofit organization to arrange a drop-off the following morning. Some venues or caterers may even have donation partners already in place—just ask!

As for your flowers, don’t toss those gorgeous blooms. Donate them to hospitals, senior care facilities, or local charities that can repurpose them. You might also keep a bouquet or a single arrangement for yourself. For ideas on how to preserve your bouquet, check out this guide.

Image by Teri B Photography

3. Return Rentals

Maybe a no-brainer for your post-wedding checklist, but make sure all your rentals—linens, glassware, suits, signage, and more—are returned on time. If you’re heading off on your honeymoon right away, assign this task to a trusted friend or family member to avoid late fees or replacement charges.

4. Finalize Wedding Payments

With the big day behind you, now is the time to square up any remaining balances with your vendor team. Many vendors require final payment shortly after the event, so review your contracts, track down outstanding invoices, and make sure everyone is paid in full.

Image by Katherine Elyse Media. See more of this wedding here.

5. Leave Vendor Reviews

One of the best ways to thank your wedding team is by leaving thoughtful reviews. Your kind words go a long way—especially for small businesses that rely on client testimonials to grow.

We recommend writing your reviews while the experience is still fresh. Not sure where to start? Choose three words to describe the professional (like “creative,” “organized,” “genuine”), explain how they made you feel during the planning and on the big day, and share how well they brought your vision to life. You can leave reviews on Junebug’s vendor portfolios, Google, or the vendor’s preferred website.

6. Preserve Your Wedding Attire

Whether you hope to pass your outfit down one day or simply want to preserve it as a meaningful keepsake, consider having your wedding attire professionally cleaned and preserved. Skip the standard dry cleaner—specialty preservation services will clean your gown or suit with expert attention to detail, then use archival techniques like acid-free materials and UV-protected packaging to keep it in pristine condition for years to come.

Image by Ana Hinojosa

7. Handle the Legal Details

There are a handful of legal tasks to take care of after your wedding. While not the most exciting part of newlywed life, they’re important—and entirely manageable.

Here’s what to consider:

• Certify your marriage license or certificate
• Update identification documents if you’re changing your name (Social Security card, driver’s license, passport, etc.)
• Review and update insurance policies (health, auto, life)
• Update beneficiary designations on financial accounts
• Create or update your will
• Consider creating a postnuptial agreement

8. Start Planning for your Wedding Photos

We strongly believe your wedding photos deserve more than a folder on your desktop. Start researching wedding photo albums and print services so that once your gallery is ready, you’re prepared to create something tangible and lasting. 

9. Send Thank You Notes

Now’s the time to express your gratitude to everyone who celebrated with you. Whether you’re sending handwritten notes that match your wedding stationery or choosing a digital option for sustainability and speed, a heartfelt thank you goes a long way. 

Love a good checklist? We’ve got more to help you stay organized. Check out our wedding planning checklist, decor checklist, and honeymoon checklist to keep everything on track from start to finish.

Image by EFEGE