Phase 1
First week after
Settle outstanding vendor payments
EssentialFinal invoices + tips usually paid on the day, but any overruns (extra hours, additional services) come through within a week. Pay promptly.
Return rented items
EssentialSuit hire, cake stand, any rentals. Most have 48-72 hour return windows with late fees.
Take dress to a professional cleaner
ImportantWedding-dress preservation specialists ($150-$400 AUD) clean and box for long-term storage. Standard dry-cleaning is NOT enough — fabric stains set quickly.
Send thank-you message to vendors
Nice to haveA short email to each vendor goes a long way. Many vendors live on referrals — your kind word matters.
Eat real food + sleep
EssentialYou will be exhausted. Take a real week off if you can.
Phase 2
Weeks 2-4
Order official marriage certificate
EssentialIn Australia, order from the relevant state/territory BDM ($50-$80 AUD). The Form 15 your celebrant gave you is NOT accepted by Centrelink, banks, passports, or Medicare. The official certificate is.
Begin name change (if changing)
ImportantRequired documents: official marriage certificate. Order: driver licence first (most providers need it as ID), then Medicare, passport, bank accounts, super, employer, electoral roll, utilities. Allow 6-8 weeks for the full sweep.
Send thank-you cards to guests
EssentialWithin 6 weeks of the wedding. Handwritten is gold standard. Reference the gift specifically. Group thank-yous (mass email) are considered impolite.
Update social media + photos
Nice to haveWedding hashtag album, professional photo previews, post when you are ready. No rush.
Refresh stocks of stamps + cards
Nice to haveThank-you sweep takes a lot of postage if mailing.
Phase 3
Weeks 4-12
Wedding photos delivered
ImportantProfessional photographers typically deliver 4-12 weeks post-wedding. Sneak peeks usually within 2 weeks. Final gallery 8-12 weeks.
Wedding video delivered
ImportantVideographers usually 12-16 weeks. Highlight reel first, then full ceremony video.
Order wedding album
Nice to haveMost photographers offer album add-ons. Or use the gallery to order from third-party services. Choose 50-80 photos for a typical album.
Print favourite photos
Nice to haveFrame 1-3 for the home. Send a print to parents + grandparents.
Leave reviews for vendors
Nice to haveGoogle + Facebook + The Knot + Easy Weddings. 5-star reviews matter more than tips for most wedding vendors. Mention specific moments.
Complete final name change items
Nice to haveAnything missed in the first sweep. Loyalty cards, subscriptions, bills.
Frequently asked questions.
Aim to send within 6 weeks of the wedding. The longer you wait, the more impolite it feels. Handwritten is gold standard — no group emails. Reference the specific gift in each card. 50 cards takes about 4 hours of focused writing across 2-3 sittings.
Ivory Lane Editorial
The Ivory Lane editorial team covers wedding planning, budgeting, and vendor advice for couples worldwide. Our guides are reviewed regularly to reflect current pricing and industry practice.