The stress of planning a wedding is finally over. No more enquiries and urgent calls from suppliers, no more friends or relatives asking for details. It's just you and the new spouse. Oh, how glorious!
But what's next after "I do"? I have prepared a list of suggested things to do right after the wedding, involving quality time with the new Mr or Mrs.
1. Thank your guests, sponsors and suppliers.
If you are going to send a thank you note, do it. Regardless whether it's through snail mail, email, Facebook message, a text or a call, don't forget to thank everyone who has been part of your Big Day. It would not have been memorable if it weren't for them.
2. Go on a honeymoon.
I believe in taking time out and spending alone time with your new spouse. Speaking from experience, it sure has delivered wonders because we were able to unwind and just enjoy each other's company. Just the two of us. And it felt really good.
If budget is a concern, there is such a thing as staycation. Stay in a reasonably priced hotel, don't answer calls or texts, do things together. A honeymoon doesn't have to break the bank. Think of it as your first official date as husband and wife so that if you look back, you have fun memories right after the wedding.
3. Update your status on your social networks.
It may sound petty but it is how it is. We now live in a social world and the world has, in fact, become smaller with the advent of Facebook, Twitter, and what-have-you. And it's fun to shout it out to let the whole wide world that you got hitched. Reading congratulatory messages from friends and acquaintances sure is wonderful experience.
4. File your marriage certificate.
Make sure that the document you signed on your wedding day goes to the National Statistics Office, or to any government body (if you're not married in the Philippines) that will certify the marriage. Make sure all details are in order.
With all the excitement before and during the wedding, we didn't notice that there was a typo in our certificate of marriage. We had to go to the church and request for documents, submit these documents to the City Hall and, you know, wait again. Having lived in Singapore for eight years, where documents filing is such an easy task, I don't get it why doing the same thing in the Philippines costs an arm and a leg. And time.
5. Open a joint account.
If you haven't opened an account before the wedding, now is the perfect time to do it. You can start saving up and monitor the funds that you and your spouse share. I still believe that personal and joint accounts remain separate.
6. Update your legal documents.
If you are married in the Philippines, wait for the issuance of your NSO-certified marriage certificate so you can update your passport and other IDs. If you are an employee, submit a copy to your human resources. Inform all the necessary parties, like your bank, insurance and the like so that your records are up-to-date.
7. Choose the pictures that are to be printed.
For sure, there will be a lot of pictures during your Big Day, those taken by your official photographer and those captured by your guests. Once you get hold of the soft copies, organise them in one folder and prepare them for printing. Usual photography packages include a wedding album or, in our case, a coffee table book. Submit them to your photographer for layout and printing. This is the only visual remembrance of your Big Day so choose all the nice ones.
8. Go on a house-hunting.
Some couples start early, even before the wedding. In our case, we have just started house-hunting and I am happy to say that we are enjoying the whole thing. It's like shopping on a wider scale and I love shopping!
9. Set an appointment with the OB-GYN.
For most newlyweds, the thought of having a baby is exciting but, unfortunately, it's also a hit-and-miss. Get the right advice from the expert by seeing your OB-GYN. The doctor can help you and your spouse prepare your journey to parenthood.
10. Realise your plans as a couple.
For sure, you have future plans and have discussed them even before the wedding. Now is the perfect time to turn them all into reality. Act on them and take every ounce of your strength to make them come true - whether it involves buying a new house, moving to a new city or trying to have a baby. And the best part is, you're not alone. You have each other to make all those major and minor decisions. Sure, there may be misunderstandings or disagreements, but that's how marriage works. You learn the art of compromise.
Happy life-building!
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