A Post-Wedding To-Do List
Helpful Tips for Newlyweds
So much planning goes into a wedding. From the moment a couple gets engaged, there are things to consider, people to meet with, locations to scout out, food to taste, attire to try on, flowers to sniff, budgets to make, and what feels like thousands upon thousands of other tasks to be done. Organization and planning is an essential part of every wedding celebration. Just pick up any wedding magazine at the checkout counter of your local food store and browse through it, you are guaranteed to find a handy tear out month-by-month checklist.
But what happens after the big day? After having so many resources to turn to for planning advice, a bride is in for a shock when she tries to find guidance for what to do after she says, “I do”.
When the honeymoon is over, there are several things that every new couple should do to tie up loose ends and get their marriage off to a smooth start:
Send Thank-You Notes
Be sure to send a handwritten thank-you note to everyone you’ve received wedding gifts from. This is a matter of courtesy and should be done as soon as possible. When writing out your notes, do not use one generic letter for everyone. You want your notes to be as personal as possible. A good way to do this is to thank the person for the specific gift and tell them how you plan to use it. For example, if Grandma gives you a monetary gift, her thank-you should sound like this, "Thank you for your generous gift. We plan on using it to purchase new appliances for our home". Also a nice added touch is to include a photograph of the bride and groom with the thank-you note.
Name and Address Change Tasks
If you plan on changing your name after you are married, you will need to notify the social security department so that they can issue you a new social security card. Remember to also change your name on your driver’s license, bank accounts, credit cards and insurance policies. Also be sure to change your address if applicable. Making a name and address change checklist will help you track and manage all the changes you need to make.
If you are looking to save time and want to minimize the amount of work you have to do, there are plenty of web-based companies that offer name change services for a reasonable fee. By simply filling out a brief form with your preliminary information, they handle all of the necessary name and address changes for you.
Employer Notification
Whether or not you change your name and/or address, you will still need to notify your employer of your new marital status. They will need to make any necessary adjustments such as changing any information on your W2 form, adding your spouse to your health insurance, and changing beneficiary designation on any retirement or 401k plans you may be enrolled in. Your human resources department should be able to give you the specifics about what needs to be updated in your personnel records.
Legal Considerations
After you are married you may want to designate your spouse as beneficiary on financial and insurance related accounts, draw up a will, and ensure that you are both carrying the ideal amount of life insurance. Consulting with a lawyer that you are both comfortable with can give you insight into the best plan for your individual situation. Basic legal information designed specifically for newlyweds can help answer your legal questions as you start your new life together.
Financial Considerations
Getting married brings a whole new set of financial considerations. Decide if you want to keep your bank accounts separate, merged or a combination of both. Also, decide if you want to file your taxes jointly or separately. Consult with an accountant and financial adviser to devise the best strategies to fit your financial goals as a couple.
Following these guidelines will help newlyweds make a smooth transition into their new roles as husband and wife.
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