Name Changing Options

There are many different traditions throughout the world, so there are no hard and fast rules to what your name should be. Discuss your wishes openly with your fiancée and together come to a decision that will please you both. Regardless of the name you choose, At Home Cards can neatly be placed in with your invitations.  The information on the card would include, but not limited to, your chosen names, where you will be living after the wedding, when you will be home from your honeymoon and when you will be available to receive guests (give date and/or time that you are available during the day or evening).


Wife Takes Husband's Last Name

(Elizabeth Aster becomes Elizabeth Richards when she marries Dalton Richards) In the majority of western society countries, the wife taking the husbands name is the tradition.  Some woman may view this tradition as losing their personal identity, others enjoy the symbolism of 2 truly becoming 1 by taking your husbands name. With this option you must also decide if you will wish to be called Elizabeth Richards or Mrs. Dalton Richards (although this trend is fading, Mrs. Elizabeth Richards implies that she is divorced). In all name changes, be sure to proactively change all documents such as your driver’s license, social security card, passports, credit cards, etc.


Wife Uses Maiden Name as Middle Name

(Elizabeth Aster becomes Elizabeth Aster Richards, no hyphenation) This is another option if the bride chooses to carry on her family name. Some feel that hyphenated names are somewhat awkward, if this is your opinion as well, then consider this option. You must keep in mind though, that if you choose this option you need to remember to use both names when stating your name (i.e. Elizabeth Aster Richards). This will also inform others of your chosen last name.


Wife Hyphenates Maiden Name and Husband’s Last Name

(Elizabeth Aster becomes Elizabeth Aster-Richards).  Some bride’s may be an only child, or the only namesake to her father’s family name and may wish to keep it. This can be done by keeping your maiden name while adding your husband’s name. This combination has it’s pro’s and con’s. Some find the combination to be complicated or that the hyphenated names do not “flow” or combined make the name too long. Some find this to be a wise choice due to an established name in their chosen career, or to carry on her family name. If the couple decides to have children, they too may either hyphenate their names or take just the father’s last name.


Husband and Wife Keep Their Own Family Names

(Elizabeth Aster stays Elizabeth Aster)  One draw back to this option is that people may assume that you are not a married couple. The advantages to this is that you will not need to complete name change documents as well as reestablish a professional name.


Husband and Wife Both Hyphenate Their Name

(Elizabeth and Dalton become The Aster-Richards) Here you will need to check with your local laws as well for the man changing his name. Custom generally allows for the woman to fairly easily change her name due to a marriage, but it may be more difficult for a man. You may pass this hyphenated name on to your children as well, or decide well in advance as to which family name your children will use.


Husband and Wife Take Each Other's Names as Middle Names

(Elizabeth becomes Elizabeth Richards Aster, Dalton becomes Dalton Aster Richards)  The couple still would not share the same last name, but the romance in sharing a name still holds true in this case. Unless both middle and last names are used when stating your name, it will not be apparent to others.


Husband and Wife Choose an Entirely Different Name

This can be anything from choosing a brand new name to a combination of both of your family names (Elizabeth and Dalton become the Astards or the Richters). Or, you may choose to decide on a new last name that would have special significance to you. As a couple you may have met and frequently visited a certain place, restaurant or the like with a name that you would like to take. For example, you may have been introduced to each other and then frequented a town called Santa Cruz when you were dating. Because this place would have special significance, you may wish to choose it as your last name (Elizabeth and Dalton Cruz).


Wife takes Husband's Name Socially, Keeps Maiden Name Professionally

(Elizabeth Aster is Elizabeth Aster in the work place, but Elizabeth Richards otherwise) This has become the trend among women who have established a professional reputation but also wish to take their husband’s last name. Typically, the bride will legally change her name to her husband’s last name and will use/sign that name in all places outside the work place. You may want to consider keeping your maiden name as well (try either option above) to thwart any work related situations that might arise where you would need to show identification that matches your professional name.


Husband takes Wife's Name

(Dalton Richards becomes Dalton Aster) The groom may wish to take his wife’s name for a number of personal reasons. If this is your choice, be sure to check with your local laws on men changing their last names. Some may require you to appear in court as to why you wish to change your last name; others may allow you to just pay a fee (separately from any fee’s paid for the marriage license, etc.)

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