Regardless of how worn out you may be following the planning of your wedding, there is still plenty to do before your new life can begin. The reason couples plan a honeymoon right after the wedding is to give them time away to relax before a new round of chores begins. You are embarking on a new life after your wedding and it is natural that a few changes will need to be taken care of. Many couples buy a house right around the time of their wedding, which means one or both of them will be moving.

Moving is a huge undertaking, so if you wait to do it right after the wedding and honeymoon, it will give you a chance to feel as if you are really starting something new. After you are settled into your new space with your new spouse, you can get started on making the small changes that are a part of starting a new life. Your first task will be changing and updating your legal documents. Your auto insurance policy and rental property insurance, if you are renting instead of buying, will need to have both you and your spouse’s names for coverage.

Be sure to update your documents and policies through your employer too. Once you are married you can add your spouse to your policies at work. This may offer them medical coverage or it may protect you from financial difficulties should something tragic occur. Speak with your human resources representative to make sure all of the papers are filled out properly and signed.

Next, handle the task of changing your name, should you choose to do so. Many women keep their name the same after marriage, especially if they are marrying later in life. However, if you are legally changing or hyphenating your name, there are a number of forms you will need to fill out. There are kits for name change that help you stay organized and cover all of your bases or you can handle it all from scratch on your own. Some items to consider include your driver’s license, your work ID, and your personal stationary.

If you are adding your spouse to your bank accounts, you may need to plan an in-person visit with your bank. Most places require that both you and your new husband or wife appear at the bank, show ID, and sign forms if they are being added to an account. This may take an hour or more, so set aside adequate time so you are not rushing through these changes.

Finally, there will be things to handle differently during tax time. The first year you are married, you may want to consider seeing a tax professional. This will help you know if you are doing everything correctly and that you are getting the appropriate amount of money in your return. Remember your name will be used on your most updated tax forms as well, so complete your name change materials before tax season begins.