So, that thing where last night I squee'ee'eed about YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED TOMORROW?
YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED TODAY!!!!
As for name changing, I found that it was kind of the big pregnant belly rub of getting hitched -- my name was all kinds of everybody's business, and people I barely knew were demanding answers, and offering opinions that *everyone* (or, you know, ME) was going to SO HORRIBLY CONFUSED if I (a) changed it or (b) didn't, and... sigh. The decision to keep mine was never in doubt, but the extent to which people got torqued up about it was significantly stressful for me.
Since I got married? Not. one. person. has ever questioned it, or even blinked, or so much as said anything weirder than "nice to meet you" when introduced to Amy H and Stephen P.
I've decided if I marry someone whose name is easy to spell I would change.But this name is also my byline so there could be some confusion.
But I think it will be no big with everyone being distracted by hell freezing over and all.
Congratulations, Erin!
I'm thoroughly neutral on who, if anybody, should change their surname (and if so, to what) after marriage. But I do reserve the right to ask once, politely, after the wedding if I'm not sure what to call someone.
WOO HOO Erin's getting married! May it be the perfect day you deserve.
Job~ma all around.
I kept my maiden name. I contemplated hyphenating, but it came down to paperwork - just wasn't going to do it - and I had already developed a professional reputation as MFN. It still bothers my FIL, and to a lesser extent DH, to this day.
I handle it just like it's handled in Italy. The women legally keep their surname from birth, but are known socially as Mrs. Husband's Last Name. I don't mind introducing myself as MFP; I just didn't want to lose the part of my identity visibily manifested by my maiden name.
The only practical side of the name chancing decision I can think of is the question of the addressee the check (cheque?): if you're indenting it to the bride, and she'll change her name, it won't get accepted.
Other than that, I'm way too young to be a part of this discussion. But I can say that I love my name (means "poem/song son-of-light"), and that there's only me and my sister to carry that name - there aren't any males in my family to carry it to the next generation.
Happiest of wedding days, Erin! I'm so thrilled for you!
::huge hugs::
I always had an idea that I would change my name to FirstName MaidenName Husband'sname, be known professionally as Firstname LastName, but legally as all three. Then came the family name drama. And then my dad died. So, I'm probably going to keep my name as a tribute to him.
oh, and the important bit -
Congratulations on your wedding day!!!!!!
I love my name and really didn't even consider changing it. To Shir's point though, my grandmother and great aunt aren't really down with that and are often writing checks for Nora W. Which occasionally is a PITA, but not too much, since we have a joint checking account.
