Changing Your Name After The Wedding

If you will take your new husband’s last name or legally abbreviate your married name, there will be several documents that require a name change. Here’s a breakdown of what to change and when.

Wait to Change.

There is no doubt you will be excited to begin using your married name, but it is a good idea not to make the name change until you return from your honeymoon. Make all honeymoon travel arrangements in your maiden name because it may take several weeks to change your drivers license, passport and credit cards. Having two different names can make travel more difficult.

Before the wedding

• Let your employer know to change your email and business cards.
• Practice using your new name including the signature. It will make it more fluent when you do make the change.

After the wedding

• Most changes can not be completed until you receive the fully executed marriage license by mail.
• Change your name on any bank accounts. Once the change is complete, notify your payroll department of your new name so the deposit account information matches.
• Request a new social security card by taking a copy of your marriage license to the social security office. You can speed up the process if you download a form from the Social Security website.
• Contact the US State Department to request the name change to your US Passport.
• You will need your marriage certificate to change the name on your driver’s license.
• Many utilities, credit card issuers and insurance companies can change your name by phone. Others will require a copy of your marriage certificate and a personal letter requesting the change. This will vary by company.
• Spread the word by making the change to your twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media sites.
• Make the change with your health insurance provider and doctor’s office.
• If you have a will or medical proxy, review the document for necessary changes in beneficiary or advocate.

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Wedding Photo Tips

Everyone wants great wedding photos. Using the tips below can help you to work with your photographer to capture the images you want.

Share your theme. If your wedding has a theme, vibe or feeling you are sharing through decor, color choices, etc., share that theme with your photographer. Knowing what you are trying to share on your wedding day allows the photographer to frame the shot in a way that expresses that vibe. Dark and romantic or light and happy, your photographer can work to capture images with that feeling through composition and lighting.

Wedding colors. Your wedding color or colors, help to convey the vibe you want for your wedding day. Select a color you really love, because your photographer and album designer will use your color choice as inspiration for your images.

Toasts. Encourage your toasters to approach the head table during toasts. It’s a great photograph when you can capture the well wisher and your reaction to their words.

Consider a First Look. A first look, reveal or private portrait session can be a real time saver on your wedding day. This private meeting between the bride and groom allows you to spend a few special moments in advance of your ceremony. It also means you will get some great images and not be rushed for time later in the day; allowing you to focus onspending time with your guests.

Engagement Sessions. Besides being an opportunity to get some great photos of you two, an engagement session let’s you practice loosening up so you can be yourself around your photographer. This is a great opportunity to share your creative vision, practice some fun poses, and get ready for close-ups on your big day! Best of all, an engagement session is an expression of your personality. Choose a location that tells something about the two of you. First dates, proposals, favorite hang outs, all of these can make great spots for the engagement shoot. Pick a theme to your session, choose a season you love, or let your photographer guide you through the choices. The engagement session is all about the two of you. You can also use images from your engagement session for personalized photo items such as save the dates, sign in books, and guest favors.

Make a plan. Discussing your preferences for posing, shots you must have and would like to get, and the combinations needed for family formals, allows your photographer to understand your unique needs. He or she can also give you their expert advice on how to best accomplish everything in your photography plan.

Share your ideas. Your photographer is just that; your personal photographer. If you have an idea, be sure to share it. Your photographer wants to make you happy and can only do that when he or she knows what you want. The more input you have during the photography plan building and the day of your engagement or wedding photo sessions, will create a more personalized photo. Share your ideas for locations, posing, interesting props, whatever you’d like. Your photographer wants to hear from you!

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Special Wedding Reception Dances

There are a few key moments in your wedding day; seeing your fiance for the first time, the exchange of vows, the kiss and your first dance. There are also some special moments for your parents too; like escorting you down the aisle and sharing a special dance at your wedding reception. Here are some tips for making those moments special.

Practice Dancing. A well practiced dance can build confidence for your wedding reception dances. Many couples take dance lessons and some couples even take dance lessons with their parents. This could be a great activity to help with the blending of your families – and dad won’t be so nervous sharing that special moment with you.

Song Selection. The songs you choose for your first dance and other special wedding dances will determine the choreography of the dance, as well as the tone of the room. If you and your father are hopeless sentimentals, a slow song would be perfect. But if you enjoy a more humorous relationship, it is perfectly acceptable to pick a faster paced song. The same holds true for your first dance. (For more on wedding reception music, click here.)

Special Circumstances. Unfortunately, circumstances often prevent the bride or groom from sharing a special dance with their parent. In these cases, it’s best to discuss what each of you are comfortable doing. Some options include:

• The bride or groom dances with their respective parent without mention of the dance that will not take place.
• The bride or groom dances with a sibling, special friend, family member or new in-law.
• Neither of you dances with a parent.

If you have a close relationship with both a natural and step-parent you also have a few options to consider. Regardless of the option you choose, you should discuss your plan in advance so that no one is caught off guard at your wedding reception.

• Begin the dance with your natural or step-parent and have your wedding DJ introduce the other to cut in mid-dance. This option works best when there is no animosity between parents.
• Share an individual dance with both your natural and step parent.
• If family dynamics make the decision too emotionally charged, you might consider eliminating this dance from your wedding reception.

The usual order for special wedding dances is as follows: couple’s first dance, father and daughter, and mother and son. If your bridal party will share a dance with you, it typically takes place before the dances with parents. (For more on wedding reception timelines, click here.)

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