Happily Ever After

First things first: you are now a Mrs! While you may love using your new name, unfortunately the government doesn't catch on automatically. Changing your name can be such a hassle, but luckily there are several websites out there that provide an all-in-one guide for a small fee. We love Kleinfeld's HitchSwitch guide- it autofills the forms for you and lays out step-by-step what to do. We would have been lost without it! Check it out at https://www.kleinfeldnamechange.com

Next, let's talk about your dress. Finding THE perfect dress was probably one of the most important parts of your wedding planning process, so of course you want to take good care of it! Do some research to find a wedding gown preservationist in your area, and make sure to read the agreement! If your dress is damaged in the process (highly unlikely, don't worry!) you want to make sure you get compensated. Also pay close attention to the instructions they give you about opening the box if it is sealed, and don't be afraid to ask lots of questions! Dress preservation can be pricey depending on where you live and the type of gown, and it is possible to preserve at home. Wrap it in muslin (never tissue paper) and store it in a sturdy box or wedding chest. If you have a little extra cash down the road to take it to a professional preservationist, it will have been kept safe and secure. Read more about dress preservation from our friends at The Knot here: http://wedding.theknot.com/bridal-fashion/wedding-dress-shopping/articles/preserving-your-wedding-dress.aspx

So what about the 200 mason jars, dozens of hurricane vases, and various wedding signage you purchased that have turned your two-car garage into maybe-fitting-a-Smart-Car size? Trust us, you will not use them again! It's not worth taking up storage space in case you throw a dinner party sometime in the future for which you can reuse the decor. Also, the chances of you knowing someone who is getting married in the near future with the exact same wedding theme as you is zero to none. However, expand that pool of your acquaintances to the entire nation, and the probability is much better! Let us introduce Ruffled's Recycle Your Wedding, where you can post used wedding decorations for sale. The best part? It's free! No commission or listing fees like Ebay, and way less sketchy than Craigslist. Also, if you are a bride still in the planning stages, be sure to peruse to your heart's content to find gently used decor (as well as gowns and accessories) for way cheaper than retail value!  http://ruffledblog.com/community/recycle-your-wedding.html
Check out similar sites Weddingbee and Tradesy as well:
http://www.weddingbee.com/
https://www.tradesy.com/weddings/

Everyone's heard of the one year anniversary tradition to celebrate with the top layer of your wedding cake you saved. But do you really want to eat year-old cake that's been shoved at the back of your freezer? Maybe! We can't guarantee it will taste good, but it's a guarantee for laughs and will provide a sweet moment reminiscing about your reception with your husband. We'll leave the choice to save it or not up to you! 

Finally, once you get your photographs back from your photographer (it does take around 4-6 weeks, we know it is SO hard to wait!) make a photo book or scrapbook. This is much easier than wading through a stack of 4x6 photos, and you can highlight your favorite shots. Sites like Shutterfly often have discounts on photo books, so sign up for emails and be on the lookout! 

Wishing you a stress-free, Happily Ever After!