As a self-admitted perfectionist, Type A, KonMari-obsessed, Enneagram 3 (if you’re not sure what any of that means, just picture Monica from Friends – that’s me), Spring Cleaning is one of my favorite “holidays.” 😉

As a wedding professional, our calendars are typically less packed with weddings and shoots during the winter and early spring, which is a great opportunity to take care of all of the administrative tasks that we don’t have time to do during busy wedding season. January through April is my favorite time of year to refresh my business and update everything before busy season kicks off.

Here’s a checklist of some of the tasks I do during slow season for a fresh start in the new year:

The Wedding Business “Spring Cleaning” To Do List:

☐  Reflect upon last year’s goals & set new goals for 2026.

☐  File/pay any annual reporting paperwork or filing fees (such as the annual $25+ New York IT-204-LL every year [usually due Jan 15th], and the $9 biennial statement every other year [due on your business anniversary month], if you’re in New York ).

☐  Record your Jan 1st odometer reading. Subtract your 1/1/2024 reading to get your 2025 total miles driven). Finish up mileage records for 2025. Start a new log for 2026. Also record any tolls paid for business driving in 2025.

☐  E-file and send out 1099-NEC forms to any contractor who earned $600+ from you in 2025 [due around January 31st]. Consider preemptively reaching out to anyone you worked for to see if they plan to send you a form (and to confirm your business/contact information).

☐  Pay 2025 Q4 Estimated Taxes [due around Jan 15th].

☐  Gather up any 2025 receipts + create a new folder for 2026 receipts. Consider shredding any documents older than 3-7 years. Finish up/proofread/reconcile 2026 bookkeeping records – make sure categories are accurate and no expenses have been missed. Send to your accountant, if you have one.

☐  Request reviews from clients you worked with throughout the year. Add new ones to website.

☐  Use this time to network with industry peers and actually go on those coffee dates that you don’t have time for during “busy season”. Attend networking events whenever your schedule allows. (I love WIPA New York and Connecticut, RSVP Club, and Emerge Event Collective. If you’re local to the Hudson Valley, you’re welcome to join our Rising Tide Society group.)​

☐  Take new headshots and stock photos, and/or make an updated trailer, if needed.

☐  Update packages and/or proposal templates – consider raising your prices, adjust your package structure to accommodate any common requests/trends you’ve been seeing. Create new packages for any new offerings + archive any old offerings.

☐  Update contracts – add/modify any clauses that need changing, make sure all contact information is up to date. Create new contracts for any new offerings + archive any contracts for services you no longer offer. Update any independent contractor agreements (for instance a Second Shooter Agreement) as well.

☐  Update your Standard Operating Procedures, workflows, email templates, etc if needed.

☐  Go through email inbox/deleted emails and unsubscribe from any email lists you don’t want to be on.

☐  Backup & delete all unused files from your phone. Uninstall any apps you infrequently use.

☐  Run a Time Machine backup of your computer, back up all of your website/blog files, and backup any important text/information/copy from “rented” sites (sites you don’t control or have autonomy over such as: Instagram captions; Facebook posts; reviews on The Knot, WeddingWire, Google, etc.) or any other valuable content you could lose.

☐  Delete unused/temporary files from your computer (ex: CleanMyMac X – system junk, log files, caches, temporary files, mail attachments, etc).

☐  Update to the most current version of your computer & phone’s operating system, make sure all software is updated to the most current version, update any apps that need updating, etc.

☐  Update/change passwords, especially for high-risk sites.

☐  Restock office supplies, replace printer ink, etc. Print up new shipping labels, order more shipping materials, etc.

☐  Look up your jurisdiction’s sales tax rate for the current year. Update the percentage on invoices, brochures, contracts, etc. if needed.

☐  Remit 2025 Q4 Sales Taxes for your state, if necessary.

☐  File & pay taxes [around April 15th].

And some extra tasks for photographers & videographers:

☐  Clean and organize all equipment. Clean all camera sensors. Send any equipment to get serviced or repaired, if needed.

☐  Take inventory of your “arsenal.” Upgrade any equipment that needs it. Purchase any new equipment you’ve been needing. Sell or give away any obsolete or unused equipment.

☐  Make sure all equipment is labeled (with your name/contact information), especially any new equipment, including your camera bag/case, stands, etc. Consider getting an Airtag for your case, and/or make sure the battery is charged.

☐  Update your list of favorite/reliable go-to second shooters/assistants, plus their contact information. Delete any you no longer would like to work with.

☐  If you outsource or use AI software to edit photos, update your catalog of example images to reflect your most current editing style.

☐  Take a look at your upcoming 2026 jobs. Make sure all tasks & workflows for each client are scheduled and on track and that any important dates or deadlines are on your calendar. Send out any welcome gifts. Hire second shooters/assistants for any upcoming books, if needed.

☐  Update your website. Change any copy that needs updating and update any language pertaining to new pricing, offerings, services, etc. Curate your portfolio (add new “best of 2025” photos, remove any photos that are no longer on brand). Upload new headshots, behind-the-scenes photos, trailer, etc. Check for broken links and/or upload new PDFs, etc if needed. Update the copyright notice on your website footer to reflect this year (ex: © Lin Pernille LLC 2013-2026). Update any new brand colors or fonts. Check how your website appears on both desktop and mobile, iPhone and Android.

☐  Update any style guides, client guides, welcome brochures, or any other on-boarding or client education materials, brochures, blog posts, etc.

☐  Update photos on online storefronts such as The Knot, WeddingWire, Zola, Google Maps, LoveStoriesTV, PartySlate, etc.

☐  Preschedule some social media content (with favorite photos and on-brand copy) to be posted throughout the year.

☐  Send images to your favorite venues & vendors you worked with throughout the past year so they can cross-promote you during their booking season.

☐  Submit your favorite work to blogs/publications.

☐  Use this time to complete any courses you’ve been meaning to take, attend workshops, research/learn new technical skills, etc.

Download the full printable checklist here:

Did I forget anything? Are there any tasks you like to do during slow season? Reach out and let me know! Wishing you a happy, healthy, successful, and fulfilling 2026.

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