Luminations of a New Wife: The List: The New Wife's To-Do's

Here's a list to help you get started. Just click on the links, print out and mail in the forms.

Both you and your fiance will need to go to city hall together to apply for a marriage license. You'll take the new license with you upon departure, which your officiant signs the day of your wedding. Do not forget to make out the $35 as a money order payment only!http://nycmarriagebureau.com/about/marriagelicense.html

Changing your name on your Social Security card
Change your social security card first -- just print and fill out these forms, mail it in along with your marriage license and you'll get your new card in about a month.
Driver's License
You'll need to go in person to your nearest DMV.
Passport

Writing thank you notes is an extremely important task on The New Wife's to do list. Generally, thank you notes should be sent within 2 weeks for gifts received before the wedding, and within 4 weeks for gifts received after the wedding. Remember, we are all busy, but so was the purchaser who went out of her way to buy you a beautiful wedding gift!

The gift was sent to both you and your fiance, so I believe it is important that both of you take part in the thank you note process. Even if one person - usually the one with the best handwriting - does most of the actual writing, the partner who isn’t writing can be responsible for stuffing envelopes, sealing and stamping. Additionally, Steve and I each signed our names on the cards.

When writing the note itself, make sure to acknowledge the gift received and tell the purchaser how you attend to use it. Make sure to take the time to make each note unique and personalized! Make the gift-giver feel as special as their gift made you feel. Here is an example of the most basic type of note I would write, which alters considerably according to the type of relationship shared with the gift-giver. I'd love to hear from some readers how they worded their notes!

Dear ________,

Thank you so much for the beautiful candlesticks you gave us in honor of our wedding. What a great selection - whenever we use them we will think fondly of you both. We are so glad you were able to share in the celebration of our wedding. We are both touched by your generosity and thoughtfulness and look forward to many more celebrations together. Love, __________.