Wedding traditions aren’t limited to the engagement, ceremony and reception. When you wake up on your first day after the wedding as a married couple, be prepared for a few more obligations and wedding traditions. Not to mention all those gifts to sort through.
Brunch and Farewells
Before your honeymoon, enjoy the company of your family and close friends over a meal of waffles, eggs and mimosas. While the tradition isn’t mandatory, many newlyweds meet up with their parents and attendants for an intimate after-wedding brunch the day after the wedding. For some, this is a casual chance to reflect on the big day or spend a little extra time with guests from out of town. For others, it’s the last in a series of formal wedding traditions.
Formal weddings are more likely to close with a post-wedding brunch at a restaurant. Invitations aren’t necessary, but keep them in mind for a formal brunch. The meal can be hosted by the parents, the bride and groom, or a group. As an alternative to dining at a restaurant or hotel suite, consider meeting for a post-wedding brunch at a family member’s home. Dress casually and relax with food, coffee, and plenty of fun chatter about the wedding.
Skipping a brunch doesn't mean skipping seeing anyone the next day. Unless you’re leaving for your honeymoon early in the morning or directly after the wedding, you and your husband may want to briefly meet with out of town guests before they leave. While you’re certainly not obligated to see everyone, those who traveled long distances will be touched to receive a farewell hug.
Gifts, Cards and Thank You Notes
After your honeymoon—or soon after your wedding if you’re not traveling on a honeymoon—you and your spouse must spend time opening and organizing your wedding gifts. Take time opening cards and savoring the sentiments shared by those who attended and could not attend your wedding.
Avoid spending monetary gifts frivolously. Instead, discuss investing or saving the money. Many couples choose one specific big-ticket item to spend wedding gift money on. Others apply it toward the cost of a honeymoon.
Keep a careful list of everything you received. Use your wedding gift registry as a guide. At this time, you may end up needing to return items to the store. Remember, there’s no need to mention that you returned an item. Many couples receive duplicates or receive gifts they don’t have a use for. Simply mention the gift in your thank-you note.
Try to unwrap and organize gifts within a few weeks after your wedding so that you can begin sending your thank-you cards within a reasonable time period. Aim for sending them within three or four months of the wedding. Order your-thank you cards before the wedding so that you can begin writing notes as soon as you're ready. Each should be handwritten; therefore, anticipate spending a significant amount of time on them. If the gift-giver didn’t attend the wedding, mention that you’d love to visit soon and wish them well.
Because the notes can be time-consuming and tedious after the wedding, devote a little bit of time each evening or every few days. Don’t try to power through them all at once or you may find yourself writing sloppy or insincere thank-you cards. Remember, your guests have gone out of their way to honor your marriage and they deserve heartfelt thanks.
Check Out Surprising Him on Your Honeymoon
Check Out the Top 10 Romantic Honeymoon Destinations
Check Out Sending Thank-You Notes