What's in a Name? Name Change Advice for New Brides
You've picked out all of your bridesmaid gifts and wedding favors, but there is a lingering task you can't ignore any longer -- the dreaded name change. First and foremost, you have to decide if you should keep your name, hyphenate both names, or go the traditional route and take his name. Here are the pros and cons.
And don't stress out! Modern brides have many options. If you already decided to take his name, jump start the process with this Name Change Kit CD.
Don't Throw Away that Maiden Name Pros: It is the name you were born with, so why change it now? It's on your diploma, birth certificate, and those horseback riding awards from elementary school. If you don't change your name, you won't have to go through the arduous name-change process. You can stay you and still be his wife.
Cons: No one will assume you're married. This is a hassle when going to the bank, filling out legal forms, or getting through to customer service departments. Expect to hear, "Your name isn't on the account ma'am," a lot. Some people might be so brazen to ask why you don't have the same last name. If you have kids, separate last names becomes an even bigger issue.
Mr. and Mrs. Hyphenated-Name
Pros: The hyphen symbolizes two individual beings joined together. People will know you're married and a hyphenated name makes you seem edgy. Don't be surprised if random women shout "You go girl," once they learn of your newly adopted, super-cool hyphenated name.
Cons: It gets tricky if you have kids and they decide to hyphenate. Then what happens? A triple hyphenated name? Four names joined together? There is such a thing as too many hyphens. Some hyphenated names don't mesh well together phonetically. Make sure you say the name out loud before you sign the papers. Trying to decide whose name should come first is also difficult.
Take his Name
Pros: It's cut and dry if you go the traditional route. When you get married, people assume you're going to take his name. And then they buy you all sorts of personalized wedding favors plastered with your new married name. If you take his name, you won't have to return those monogrammed towels! Once you change your name with this name change kit, the rest is easy. When people start calling you Mrs. so and so, you won't have to correct them. And if you start a family, there's no confusion.
Cons: Changing your name to his is a major sacrifice. You have to go through the entire name-change process, which includes changing your name on your passport, driver's license, voter's registration, and social security card. Good thing you only have to do it once.
Now that the big issue is settled, finish planning your wedding! Find wedding favors, bridesmaid gifts and more at Weddingstand.
