Once you’ve taken your vows, all the wedding planning is over and the day is done, you might think you have nothing else to do – but you’d be wrong. Here are 8 things brides forget to do after the reception.
1. Free your flowers
This is something so many brides forget about but if you’ve paid for fresh or silk flowers then you may want to either preserve them or give them away. If you don’t, the venue will reuse them or dispose of them so make sure you delegate this task for your best man or chief bridesmaid to do at the end of the evening.
2. Save the top tier of your cake
It’s customary to preserve the top tier of your wedding cake (if it is a traditional fruit cake) to serve at the christening of your first child. If you already have children, or if it’s a sponge that won’t keep, go ahead and eat it, it’s your special day.
3. Send slices of cake to absent guests
Save the remaining slices of wedding cake to send to friends and family who were unable to attend. If you’re jetting off on your honeymoon straight after the reception ask your mum to help and don’t forget to provide her with the addresses of you to send the cake to.
4. Reuse your venue decorations
Just like the flowers, you’ve paid a lot for your venue decor and table decorations which are worth keeping, if not by you then some of your guests may want to take them home. Some things, like ornate display stands and decorative vases are just too pretty not to take home and use again. Having them in your home also means they will always remind you of your wedding day.
5. Collect your cards and gifts
Even if you have a gift list service there will always be some guests who bring their gift and card to the wedding. Ask your best man or chief bridesmaid to help you collect together all your wedding cards and gifts. Have them brought to your bridal suite as it’s lovely to open wedding presents together on your first morning as husband and wife. Don’t forget also to make a note of who gave what for when it comes to writing your thank you cards.
6. Read your well wishes
Whether you had a traditional guest book or a contemporary wishing tree, arrange for all your well wishes to be brought to your bridal suite so you can read them together. Keep separate cards in a special box and treasure forever. Some couples like to read over their well wishes on their anniversary each year.
7. Drink a glass of water before you go to bed
If you have have had a lot of champagne, drinking a glass of water before the room starts to spin and then again before going to sleep will rehydrate you and help prevent a hangover the next morning. Ask your chief bridesmaid to remind you later in the evening. You don’t want to drink so much you disgrace yourself – drink the water.
8. Find your passport
When packing for your honeymoon, add your passports to the top of the list, as if you don’t have them, you won’t be able to leave the country! You should travel under your maiden name in which the booking was made and change your surname, if you wish, when you return.
