8 things to do after the wedding

Congratulations on your big day! Your wedding was probably full of emotion, dancing, and celebration, and may have even led to a relaxing honeymoon in the tropics with your new spouse. Now that all the fun is over, it might be time to start thinking about the serious stuff and "chores" you need to take care of after your wedding. It's certainly not as much fun as the wedding itself, but these are things you'll want to get done as soon as possible.

Here is a list of eight things you should do after your wedding.

Determine your financial situation.

You may have already discussed finances with your spouse before getting married, but once you've exchanged vows, it's time to put them into action. Are you planning to combine your accounts or simply make some changes? Whatever your plan, you should visit your bank to make the necessary adjustments. Then, inform all the companies where you use direct deposit of the change so you don't miss any payments.

Thank your guests.

Before, during, and after your wedding, you may have received gifts from your guests! You'll want to show your appreciation to everyone who attended your wedding by writing thank-you cards. If you're struggling to come up with creative ideas, you can always buy fill-in thank-you cards at your local card shop or find a printable template online.

Give your suppliers a good review.

You might be sending thank-you notes to your wedding guests. In addition to that, you'll probably want to thank your wedding vendors, such as your photographers, caterers, bands, and so on. A great way to show your appreciation is to leave feedback and positive comments. This can even help them attract new clients in the future, or even help engaged couples plan their own weddings!

Close your register.

Once the initial excitement has subsided, you might want to make a list of the gifts you received and those you didn't receive from your wedding registry. Are there items you have but don't need? Are there items you didn't receive but might find useful? You can return or exchange any duplicate gifts or take advantage of any discounts you received from the retailers of your choice. Registry discounts often have time limits, so be sure to use them as soon as possible.

Buy a life insurance policy.

Getting married is considered one of those "life-changing" events, or, in insurance terms, "entitlement" events. This means that if you have life insurance, it might be time to update it. If you don't have it and you're committing to a future with someone else, it's probably time to review your life insurance coverage.

It sounds grim, but life insurance is a financial safety net if you or your partner suddenly lose your income. This can result from death, a debilitating illness, or a disability that prevents you or your partner from working for a period of time. This is especially important even if it's just the two of you living together—and even more so if you have dependents.

Change your name.

This step only applies if you want to change your legal surname. If you don't want to change your name after marriage, you can choose a different surname, keep your current name, or even combine your surname with your spouse's.

To change your last name, you'll need to obtain your original marriage license and visit a Social Security Administration website where you'll need to complete a form to confirm your identity before you can officially change your name. You may also want to change your name on your provincial ID card or driver's license after receiving your new Social Security card. After that, you can change your last name everywhere you want—including your passport, financial accounts, payroll, bank, workplace, and so on. It's a daunting task, but if you're considering a name change, it's worth the effort!

Inform your employer.

You may not have chosen to change your name, but it can be important to inform your employer or human resources department that you have gotten married. This is because you will likely need to update your tax information, health insurance, documents, and so on.

File your taxes.

After your marriage, you can file your taxes separately or jointly. It makes sense in most situations for couples to file jointly. However, if one of you has accumulated several bills during the year, you can choose to file separately.

You should consult a financial advisor to discuss how you plan to manage budgeting, debt, retirement, and IRS. It's always helpful to have professional advice!

One last note –

It's exciting to think about the future you and your partner are planning to build together. If you're considering buying a condo or house in the next few years, it might be time to review your home insurance options and update/purchase life insurance for both you and your new spouse! Panda7 helps find affordable quotes for a variety of insurance products; request a quote with us today and see how easy it can be to get insured.