Sarasota Wedding Photographer Nina Bashaw shares 13 Things to Do the Day After Your Wedding

13 Things to Do the Day After Your Wedding

Your wedding day has come and gone, and you’re officially married—congratulations! The day after your wedding is a time to relax, reflect, and start your new chapter as a married couple. While it’s tempting to sleep in and bask in post-wedding bliss (and you absolutely should!), there are a few tasks to check off your list to keep things running smoothly.

As a Sarasota wedding photographer, I’ve seen couples make the most of this special time with a mix of practical and meaningful activities. Here’s your guide to what you should do the day after your wedding.

1. Sleep In and Relax

The day after your wedding is all about unwinding. You’ve likely been running on adrenaline, so take the time to sleep in and enjoy a slow morning. Whether it’s breakfast in bed or a quiet moment with your spouse, savor the start of your marriage.

2. Host a Post-Wedding Brunch

If you’re up for it, consider hosting a post wedding brunch for your family and out of town guests. This is a great way to thank everyone for celebrating your wedding with you and to spend a little more time with loved ones before they head home.

3. Open Your Gifts

Take some time to open your wedding gifts and read the heartfelt notes from your guests. Be sure to make a list of who gave what so you can send out personalized thank-you cards later.

4. Return Rentals

If you rented items like décor, furniture, or tuxedos, make arrangements to return them on time. If you have a wedding planner or trusted family member who offered to help, delegate this task to avoid stress.

5. Preserve Your Wedding Dress and Bouquet

If you’re keeping your wedding dress, have it professionally cleaned and preserved as soon as possible to prevent stains from setting. For your bouquet, consider:

Drying or Pressing Flowers: To create a keepsake.
Sending it to a Preservation Specialist: For long-term display.

6. Share Photos on Social Media

While your professional photos from your Sarasota wedding photographer may not be ready yet, you can share fun snaps from friends and family who captured candid moments during the day. Don’t forget to tag your Sarasota wedding photographer and other vendors to show your appreciation!

7. Gather Décor and Leftover Items

If you brought personal décor to the venue or have leftover items like guest favors or cake, make arrangements to gather and store them. This is another task you can delegate if you’re heading off on your honeymoon right away.

8. Reflect on Your Wedding Day

Take some time to talk with your spouse about your favorite moments from the day. Write down memories, funny stories, and emotional highlights while they’re still fresh. You’ll cherish these reflections for years to come.

9. Write Google Reviews

Google reviews are extremely important wedding vendors. Writing your Sarasota wedding photographer a 5 star review will help grow their businesses and help other bride and grooms in deciding who they will book as their wedding photographer, planner, florist, etc. We are very apprecitve of genuine reviews from our clients!

10. Confirm Photography and Videography Timelines

Look back at a copy of your contract becauase 90% of the time it will be written in. black and white when you can expect to get sneak peaks and your full gallery. If for some reason it's not in the contract, reach out to your Sarasota wedding photographer and ask them when to expect to them. Keep in mind that they will be exhausted from the wedding day so you might have to wait a day or two before you get sneak peeks and probably 4-6 weeks for the full gallery to be ready.

11. Start Writing Thank-You Notes

It might seem early, but beginning your thank-you cards now will save you from feeling rushed later. Even writing a few each day can help you stay on top of this thoughtful gesture.

12. Plan for Your Honeymoon

If you’re heading off on your honeymoon soon, use this day to finalize your packing, double-check travel arrangements, and make sure everything is in order.

13. Relax and Celebrate Your New Chapter

Above all, remember to relax and enjoy the moment. Whether it’s a romantic dinner, a long walk on the beach, or simply curling up with your new spouse, take time to celebrate the start of your marriage.

Capture the Joy with a Sarasota Wedding Photographer

Your wedding might be over, but the memories are just beginning. As your fine art Sarasota wedding photographer, I’ll ensure that every beautiful, emotional moment from your big day is preserved for a lifetime. Let’s connect to create stunning images that celebrate your love story!