One of the most important decisions after you get married is figuring what you want people to call you. You've had your name for quite a while. No matter how you feel about it, it's probably grown on you a little.
There are a few options out there for choosing a new name, but if you chooses to make a switch, it's going to change how a lot of people refer to you. Your spouse. Your bridesmaids. Even the government.
No matter how you choose to do it, the Ultimate Name Change Packet is the ideal wedding gift to help guide any newlywed couple through the drudges of identification changes, voter registration forms, and IRS paperwork.
The Name Game
Here are a few traditional methods for changing your name:
Use the husband's last name: This is the most traditional approach is for the wife to take on the hubby's last name. Sometimes this is bad for business, so what many women are doing is keeping their maiden name for their professional life, and using their spouse's name at home.
Use the wife's name: Josiah Neufeld's essay in The Globe and Mail shows how much he thought about the affect of his name change would have on himself, his family and even his gender.
Change the wife's maiden name to her middle name, and take on the husband's family name: That's a mouthful, but it keeps the maiden name alive and well.
Hyphenate your name(s): It's possible for just the wife to take on the new name, or you can go equal-rights and share the hyphen. While this method is becoming popular, it's still confusing to a lot of people.
Use each other's family names as middle names: This is a great way of finding a compromise if you are unable to share the same last name.
Both choose a new name: Have you ever met Mr. and Mrs. Awesome, and their kids Totally and Freakin'?
