Wedding day, while lovely, is a super busy day, and it can be super draining physically and mentally, as you’ll be dancing, taking photos, engaging with everyone on your guest list, and doing something the whole day. Not to mention, the whole period prior to the big day can also be both physically and mentally draining, as wedding planning is not for the weak.

Wedding parties can last until late in the evening on your big day, so planning for a wedding recovery day can help everyone recover from the stress of wedding planning and of the big day itself.

So in this post, I’m talking about what a post-wedding recovery day is, and how you can organize it.

What Is A Wedding Recovery Day

Wedding recovery day is, as the name suggests, the day after your wedding that you and your partner take to relax, take a break, and reflect on your big day without the pressures and busyness that come with wedding planning. After all, you deserve it after all the dancing, partying, planning, and stressing out.

Some couples choose to have the recovery day alone, and some choose to spend it with their loved ones, share stories from the wedding day, and overall relax together. Whichever you and your partner choose, the main rule is - you have to relax and recover.

It’s a great way to gather everyone together after the ceremony if you choose to include your family and friends, but having some time to soak in the married life just between you and your partner is lovely as well.

So, let’s get into practical tips for organizing a recovery day.

Plan in advance

The first thing you need to do is schedule your wedding recovery day in advance, ideally when you're planning your wedding. If you don’t plan it in advance, you might forget about it, or you might forget to tell other people that you’re unavailable that day, which might complicate things. Planning your wedding recovery day in advance will also help you plan all of the relaxing activities you want to indulge in.

Keep it simple

Avoid overcomplicating your post-wedding recovery day plans. Instead, choose simple and relaxing activities that require minimal effort. You can have a quiet day at home, a relaxed brunch, a walk in the park, or even a nice picnic - anything that allows you to relax, both mentally and physically. Starting from the morning after your wedding, you don’t want to overcomplicate any part of your wedding recovery day.

Limit responsibilities

If there are any post-wedding tasks or responsibilities that need to be taken care of, delegate them to your close friends or family members if possible. This could include returning rental items, handling gifts, or managing any outstanding logistical details with your wedding venue or vendors. Minimize your to-do list on your recovery day.

Unplug and disconnect

Another good idea might be turning off your phones or setting them to "do not disturb" mode. This can help you fully unplug and limit any distractions so you can completely enjoy your partner’s company. Of course, if you’re choosing to include your friends and family members in your recovery day, this can apply to them as well.

Self-care

What better way to recover after your big day than to treat yourself with self-care activities? This could be a spa day, a soothing bath, or a couple's massage. Take the time to unwind and rejuvenate both physically and emotionally.

Share memories

Looking through photos and videos of your big day, sharing memories and little moments from your wedding experience that another one might have missed is the best part about the morning after your wedding! If your loved ones are spending it with you, you can all share wedding stories from the big day!

Order In

If you’re anything like me, taking a full day to relax and recover also means not having to cook or think much about what to eat. Take a break from cooking by spending the day after your wedding celebrations ordering in, whether you’re in a hotel and opting to order room service or at home and just want a quick pizza so you can be stress free.

Play board games

If you’re including your friends and family, a fun and relaxing activity you can do is play board games! Board games are low effort, but have a high impact for connections and can be an enjoyable, stress free activity to do together.

If you want to know how to avoid weight gain after wedding, check out this post!