What to do immediately after getting married?

The first thing to do is make sure the legal part is finished. In England and Wales, you and your witnesses sign the marriage schedule or document on the day. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, the registrar or celebrant will handle the paperwork, but you still sign with your witnesses. Once that is done, ask for your marriage certificate or find out how to get copies. This is the document you will need for almost everything after the wedding.

Next, if you are changing your name, your marriage certificate is the usual proof for your passport, bank, employer and other official records. You do not have to change your name, so only do it if you want to. If you are not changing your name, you do not need to update anything.

Then, take a moment to enjoy the rest of your day. You have done the hard part. In the weeks after, you might want to send thank-you cards to guests and anyone who helped. You can also update your gift list if you have one, and make sure any honeymoon bookings match your new details if you changed your name.

If you had a religious ceremony that is not legally binding on its own, such as a nikah in England or Wales, and you did not have a civil ceremony as well, check with your register office about what you need to do to make your marriage legal. The rules can vary, so GOV.UK is a good place to start.