Post-Wedding Depression: Why You Might Feel Low After The Big Day And What To Do About It

You planned. You celebrated. You made it through the wedding! Maybe you even had the honeymoon of your dreams. And now… you feel off.

Post-wedding depression is real. Despite what social media might suggest, it’s not all happily-ever-after from here on out. Many people experience a crash after the high of wedding planning and celebration. And while it can be disorienting, it’s also completely normal.

Let’s talk about why this happens, what you can do about it, and how therapy can help you ease into the next chapter of your life with more clarity and connection.

What Is Post-Wedding Depression?

Post-wedding depression refers to the emotional dip that some people experience after their wedding is over. It can include:

• Sadness or emptiness

• Anxiety or irritability

• Loss of motivation

• Difficulty focusing

• Feeling disconnected from your partner

• Questioning your choices or future

It can feel especially confusing if you were happy with your wedding and genuinely excited to be married. This emotional drop often takes people by surprise.

What Causes Post-Wedding Depression?

There’s no single reason, but several contributing factors might be at play:

1. The Sudden End of a Major Life Project

Planning a wedding, regardless of size or formality, takes up mental and emotional space for months or even years. Once it’s over, there's a natural void. You might feel a loss of direction or purpose, especially if you were laser-focused on getting through the big day.

2. Emotional Whiplash

Weddings often involve intense emotions, high expectations, family dynamics, unresolved tensions, or surprises. The build-up followed by silence can create emotional whiplash—leaving your nervous system scrambling to adjust.

3. Unrealistic Cultural Narratives

We're told marriage is the beginning of “forever happiness.” When real life doesn’t immediately feel magical, it can create confusion or disappointment. You might wonder: Did I do something wrong? Shouldn’t I feel happier than this?

4. Relationship Shifts

Even if you’ve been with your spouse for years, something about getting married can bring up deeper questions. What does this new chapter mean for your identity, your autonomy, or your future? It’s common to experience a subtle (or not-so-subtle) recalibration in the relationship.

5. Grief Around Change

Getting married—even when it's joyful—can also bring loss: a shift in family dynamics, a change in friendships, or even the symbolic “end” of a previous chapter of life. It's okay to feel grief even during happy transitions.

6. The Belief That Getting Married Would Change You, Your Partner, Or Your Relationship

Most people logically know that getting married won’t change anything. But that doesn’t stop them from secretly or even subconsciously hoping that it will. And maybe you didn’t have high hopes, but are a little disappointed that nothing feels different. If you’re feeling that disappointment, you’re in good company, even if you’re perfectly happy with your relationship. After all, getting married doesn’t change our attachment style, communication issues, or common sticking points for couples. Check that you weren’t expecting big change.

What You Can Do About Post Wedding Depression

If you’re experiencing post-wedding depression, there are ways to support yourself. Here are some first steps:

1. Give Yourself Permission to Feel It

Suppressing your feelings or trying to “snap out of it” often backfires. Let yourself acknowledge what you’re feeling without self-judgment. This isn’t about being ungrateful. It’s about being human.

2. Talk to Your Spouse

Let them in on what you're feeling—not to solve it, but to stay connected. Chances are, they're adjusting too. You might find that you're both feeling more vulnerable than you expected. Naming it together can build closeness.

3. Shift Focus from the Event to the Relationship

You planned a wedding. Now, you're building a marriage. This is a great time to explore how you want to grow together: emotionally, practically, sexually, and spiritually. Consider setting new shared goals or rituals that help you reconnect.

4. Reclaim Activities That Nourish You

If wedding planning took over your life, this is the moment to reconnect with hobbies, rest, and routines that bring you joy. Rebalancing your identity beyond the role of “the one planning a wedding” is part of healing.

5. Talk to a Therapist

If the low feelings linger, it can be incredibly helpful to speak with a therapist. This is especially true if you’re also dealing with family pressures, anxiety, or unresolved relationship questions. Holistic therapy can help you address post-wedding depression by supporting your nervous system, exploring your inner world, and giving you tools to reconnect with purpose and meaning.

What to Expect Going Forward

Most people who experience post-wedding depression find that it softens with time, care, and reflection. This transitional period can ultimately deepen your connection to yourself and your relationship if you're willing to move through it intentionally.

And if you're someone who doesn't feel post-wedding depression? That’s valid too. There’s no one “right” emotional response to a major life transition.

Need support with post-wedding emotions?

At Laurel Therapy Collective, we provide holistic therapy for individuals and couples across California and Florida. Whether you’re experiencing anxiety, relationship shifts, or simply need a space to make sense of what comes after the big day, we’re here to help.

Schedule a free consultation today with one of our holistic therapists in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or online.