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You’re Married! What to Do After Your Wedding Day

April 3, 2025
Featured  ·  Photography  ·  Wedding

What to Do Now That Your Wedding Day is Over

(For Newlyweds in Abbotsford, Vancouver & Beyond!)

Your wedding day was everything you dreamed of—the heartfelt vows, the love surrounding you, and the quiet moments just between the two of you. Now that the big day has passed, you might be wondering… What now?

I’ve been lucky enough to witness so many beautiful wedding days, and I know firsthand how surreal it feels in the days after. One minute, you’re walking down the aisle, and the next, you’re waking up as newlyweds, wondering what to do next! So, I’ve put together this guide to help you navigate the post-wedding to-dos—without the stress.

Whether you had a grand wedding in Vancouver, a cozy elopement in the BC mountains, or a seaside celebration on Vancouver Island, here’s what to do now that your “I do’s” have been said.

bridal photo of couple on the mountain peeks of vancouvers surrounding mountains after helicopter ride
Kate-Paterson-Photography-Swaneset-Golfclub-Wedding-Photographer-Pitt-Meadows-BC-Bridal portraits
details of mens items on the day of wedding
detail photos of wedding and shoes

1. Take It All In—Seriously!

You just got married (!!) and that’s a BIG deal. Before you rush into tasks and timelines, take a moment to just be.

  • Plan a quiet evening together—order takeout, reminisce about your favorite moments, and go through the sweet texts from your friends and family.

  • Scroll through the guest photos & videos—these first glimpses back at your day will bring all the emotions rushing back.

  • If you eloped, take some time to journal about the experience—write about the feeling of saying your vows, the way the air smelled, or the moment you knew this was exactly what you wanted.

💛 Your wedding day was just the beginning of your marriage—savour this moment before diving into the next thing.

 

2. Preserve or Repurpose Your Wedding Dress (or Suit!)

If you plan to keep your dress or suit, now is the time to get it professionally cleaned. Waiting too long can let stains (even invisible ones like sweat or champagne!) set into the fabric.

✨ Options for your wedding attire:

  • Keep it – Store it properly or have it preserved professionally.

  • Repurpose it – Some brides turn their gowns into keepsakes, like baptism outfits or anniversary dresses.

  • Sell it – If you’re considering selling, be mindful of how long you wait—styles change over time, and waiting too long may make it harder to find a buyer.

  • Donate it – Give your dress a second life for another couple!

If you had an adventurous elopement—whether it was hiking in the Fraser Valley or saying vows on a windswept beach—your dress might have some extra love from nature. A good cleaner can work wonders!

Mountain top elopement bride and groom portrait in Vancouver BC
Mountain top elopement bridal portrait in Vancouver BC
Mountain top elopement bride and groom portrait in Vancouver BC
Bride and groom sharing their wedding vows on the mountain peeks of Vancouver BC while travelling by helicopter

3. Decide What to Do with Your Flowers

Your bouquet was breathtaking on the day, but it doesn’t have to end there! Instead of letting it wilt away, consider preserving it as a keepsake while it’s still fresh.

🌿 Ways to Preserve Your Bouquet:

  • Resin Keepsakes – Turn your florals into jewelry, coasters, initials, or framed art! Check out: Ty Forever Flowers

  • Freeze-Dried Bouquets – A beautiful way to keep your bouquet looking as fresh as the day you held it. Check out: Bloomist

  • Press Your Flowers at Home – Lay blooms between wax paper in a heavy book for a DIY keepsake.

  • Compost Them – Let them return to the earth and nourish new life.

Time is of the essence! Fresh flowers preserve best when you act quickly, so decide on a plan as soon as you can.

 

4. Send Out Thank You Cards

Your guests, wedding party, and family showed up with so much love and support—sending them a heartfelt thank you is such a meaningful way to show your appreciation.

💌 Where to start:

  • Begin with your immediate people—family, wedding party, and anyone who played a special role in your day.

  • Then, send out custom thank-you cards—this is a service I offer! If you have inspiration, send it my way, and if not, we’ll chat and create something beautiful together. These can be designed for digital sending or printed and mailed.

  • Consider using one of your favorite sneak peeks from the wedding—guests often love to keep these as a little memento.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t stress! We can create something simple yet heartfelt that makes this process easy for you.

Ocean front elopement with bride and groom laughter and playful moment
Ocean front elopement with bride and groom soaking up the moment
Ocean front elopement with bride and grooms intimate embrace

5. Relive the Magic (Your Sneak Peeks Are Coming!)

Right now, I’m working on your sneak peeks, and I’ll be sending them your way within the week! These will give you a little taste of your wedding photos while I continue working on your full gallery.

✨ How to prepare for your sneak peeks:
📍 Plan a cozy photo-viewing night – Grab wine, curl up on the couch & soak in the memories.
🖼️ Think about prints & albums – Seeing your images in print is SO special. I’ll be sharing more on album options soon!
📲 Follow along on social media – I’ll be tagging you when I share sneak peeks!

 

6. Start Thinking About Your Wedding Album

One of my biggest “I’ll get to it later” moments after my own wedding was ordering an album. I knew I wanted one, but as life got busier, it kept getting pushed down the list. And now? It’s still on that list.

If an album is something you’re considering, don’t let time slip away! These are such an amazing keepsake, and I want to make the process as easy as possible for you. Before I deliver your full gallery, I’ll be sending you a questionnaire asking:

  • Are there any specific moments or photos you’d love in your album?

  • Do you want a classic leather-bound album or a modern fabric cover?

  • Would you like any text or special details included?

  • Are there any parent albums or gifts you’re considering?

This helps me create a custom sample album for you to consider when your full gallery is ready. Whether you’re gifting one to your parents or keeping one for yourselves, these albums are designed to tell your love story in a way that lasts forever.

 

Enjoy Every Moment, Newlyweds!

This season of your life is so special—take time to savor it. You’ve built something beautiful together, and your love story is just getting started.

I’ll be in touch soon with sneak peeks, album details & more ways to keep your memories alive. In the meantime, celebrate, relax & soak it all in—you’re married! 🎉

Kate

xx


couplescouples photosWeddingwedding daywedding photos

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Let's freeze this moment in time, together

Kate Paterson | Vancouver BC Wedding Photographer

katepatersonphotography

It’s 9 months of your life story you’ll never It’s 9 months of your life story you’ll never experience again☀️

I gave into the tiredness with my pregnancies and didn’t do a maternity session and I wish, every time I capture someone’s story, that I could rewind time and have something beautiful to remember from that last trimester (even if most of the time they just sit in a box and you can just travel down memory lane once in a while)

If you’re on the fence, do the photoshoot! You’ll never regret doing the photoshoot but you can quickly regret not doing it.

You don’t even need to buy an outfit, you can select from my client closet of dresses that fit all sizes🤍

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In a world that whispers “stay small,” this se In a world that whispers “stay small,” this session was a full-body YES to being seen.
Owning your light, your story, your worth—it’s powerful.

⁣#EmpoweredWomen #FraserValleyPhotographer #NaturalLightPortraits #BCWomenInPhotos #LangleyBC”
Still thinking about eloping this summer? Here’ Still thinking about eloping this summer?

Here’s your reminder that your day can be whatever you want it to be. No expectations, no pressure—just the two of you, starting your marriage in a way that feels right.

It can be simple or wildly magical. We can stay on land, float on the water, or even fly to a mountaintop by helicopter. The options are endless—and I’ll help bring your vision to life.

20% off remaining 2025 elopement dates—reach out and let’s start dreaming.
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