Posts Tagged ‘Newlywed Tips’

New York Maiden to Middle Name Change

Monday, December 5th, 2011

New York Bride Maiden To Middle Name ChangeNewlywed in New York? State laws were not allowing brides to take their maiden names as their middle names, which caused all kinds of complications and many brides resorted to going through the lengthy and expensive legal name change process. Great news! MissNowMrs.com figured out a way to satisfy the New York points of identity requirements so you CAN change your maiden name to your middle name. Here’s the scoop:

To change your middle name to your maiden name based on marriage, you will need to file your name-change forms in a specific order. File your Social Security form and your U.S. Passport forms first. Next, wait to receive both of those new documents back in your new name. Then you can go to the New York DMV and file for your new driver’s license. Your Social Security card and U.S. Passport with your new name will serve as the required 6 points of identification…AND since they show your maiden names as your middle name, you won’t have any issues getting your new license to match.

Don’t forget that our easy online name-change service helps you complete all of your name-change forms in ~30 minutes…so you can go from Miss to Mrs. in a matter of minutes and focus on the fun of the holidays as a newlywed!

Thanksgiving As Newlyweds: Tips For Success

Thursday, November 17th, 2011

Newlywed ThanksgivingMillions of men and women before you have successfully hosted Thanksgiving, so why should you and your spouse be any different?  The Thanksgiving meal is feared nearly as much as it is enjoyed each year. After all, the many side dishes that come together with the giant bird require a lot of organization and planning if they are to be prepared and served correctly.  That certainly doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t give it a try with hubby, but it does mean that you will want to create a game plan before you begin.

Deciding Who to Invite - One of the most difficult moments in every new marriage comes with deciding what should happen at the holidays.  Whose family should be visited and when?  How will the time be divided and who will be dined with?  Having a dinner in your own home can help to avoid some of those uncomfortable moments, but you will still need to formulate a guest list that will likely be based on the amount of space you have for entertaining, the existing plans of loved ones, and the distance between you and them.  Work together to draw up the best possible list as far in advance as you can, so you can give friends and family members ample time to re-arrange schedules.  Have a fussy family or a few “difficult family members”? Consider a seating chart…so draw upon who sat by whom at your wedding and got along and arrange your table accordingly.

Planning a Menu – The great part about Thanksgiving is that most of the meal is dependent on tradition.  Unfortunately, while  is the common denominator, many families will vary substantially in the rest of their menus.  But, with some work, you can make a meal that pulls a little something special from each family’s traditions and makes everyone feel comfortable, welcome, and ultimately, full. Also, think about asking each family invited to bring a favorite side or dessert.  This potluck concept lowers your workload and allows family members to feel included in the meal.

Shopping and Cooking - There is good reason that the Thanksgiving meal is consumed only once per year.  It often requires a huge number of ingredients, a lot of space for preparation, and a great deal of time to make it happen.  Fortunately, there are two of you and that means that tasks can be divided among you to make the whole event much more manageable.  Enjoy the shopping time together, getting excited about the impending meal and work together to divvy up the cooking.  When it comes time to create, turn on some music that you both enjoy.  Sing along, laugh together, and enjoy the special memories that are being made on your very first Thanksgiving. While one boils and mashes potatoes, another can be basting the turkey and chopping veggies for other dishes.  With two sets of hands, what might be a very chaotic experience can be very enjoyable.

Here’s to you and your first Thanksgiving as a newlywed!  Stay tuned to our newlywed blog for recipes and ideas to make your Thanksgiving AMAZING!

Being True to You After “I Do”: Maintaining Friendships

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

Newlywed FriendsFriendship is a wonderful thing that can get a person through some of the roughest points he or she faces in life.  Friends offer the shoulder to cry on, the tissue to dry the tears, and the invitation to fun activities that promote healing will, undoubtedly, hold great meaning for the rest of that person’s life.  Unfortunately, maintaining a new marriage can often strain friendships and challenge them in ways that no one could quite expect. There are many reasons that this happens and it is a natural occurrence.  For one thing, marriage changes the way that decisions are made.  It is no longer a matter of what ‘I would like to do’ but rather a decision of what ‘we would like to do’.  Furthermore, marriage often brings added responsibilities and a new group of people to spend time with.  This doesn’t mean that a friendship ends when the words ‘I do’ are said, but that the relationship will require effort.

Scheduling - Time as a newlywed, must be split between the marriage, old friends, new friends, and family.  Often the best way to maintain friendships with hurting your marriage is to schedule visits in advance.  Whether the activities will be done as couples or just you will be attending, it is important to discuss them with your spouse to prevent calendar conflicts such as you planning to attend a girls’ happy hour on Friday but he promised that you’d both be at his mother’s dinner party.  Newlyweds need to realize that there’s more than one person making plans!

Understanding How To Handle Change - As we grow up and get married, life changes happen.  Some of those changes in direction will be pre-planned decisions and others might be unexpected.  However, all can affect relationships, including those between you and your friends.  The choice to start a family, to move, or even to change jobs can have major impact on the time you have available to spend with friends and also how your perspective aligns with theirs’. Being aware that changes will happen can make it easier to address them and even prevent them from causing issues within your friendships.

The Need for Boundaries - Though friendships are undeniably important, when you say your vows, you promise to think of your spouse first.  Defining special times, places, and events that should be reserved for just the two of you is a good way to prevent hard feelings and big fights in the future.  These boundaries will actually make it easier to maintain the friendship and balance it with the new life you have started with your spouse.

How do you maintain your friendships as a newlywed?  Have you instituted a girls night in or Skype chats to stay connected? We’d love to hear your solutions and thoughts in a comment!

Newlywed Communication: 3 Tips for Success

Monday, September 26th, 2011

Newlywed CommunicationOne of the most integral parts of any great marriage is a couple’s ability to communicate effectively with each other and respect each others (often different) opinions.  Many newlyweds  struggle to find the balance of listening and being heard in the first years of marriage. After all, living with someone and being united with them requires new levels of patience, understanding, and self-control.  When a co-worker upsets you, the disagreement is generally superficial, the boss will step in, or you can simply leave to take a breather and have an escape at home.  The same is true when arguments arise with friends or extended family members.  But, when you argue with your spouse, the rules change, so here are a few things to keep in mind:

Look for Visual Cues – Did you know that more than ninety percent of what you say does not come from your mouth?  It has been found that it is the non-verbal actions of a person that provide most of the story.  If you are failing to look at your partner when he or she is speaking, then chances are good that you are missing much of what has been said.  It is also much easier to misinterpret something that is said if you do not see the non-verbal communications associated with the words.

Actively Listen – In addition to looking at him or her during the conversation, it is very essential to demonstrate that you were, in fact, listening and hearing everything that was said.  Common phrases — such as ‘do you know what I mean?’, ‘what do you think?’, ‘am I crazy for feeling that way?’ – should not be ignored.  Rather than just nodding your approval of what your partner has said, or starting on a tirade regarding everything you disagree with, be careful to respond meaningfully to those questions.  These can be instant diffusers if handled correctly in a heated situation.

Know When to Temporarily End the Conversation – While the old saying ‘never go to bed angry’ still applies, it is unrealistic to believe that every argument throughout the life of your relationship will come to an immediate conclusion.  Communication is essential, but sometimes it is just as important to know when to walk away.  When tempers are flared to a level that distracts from hearing and understanding what is being said, then it is a good idea to take a moment to breathe. Don’t leave and stay away, but rather, take a moment apart to gather your thoughts, calm your nerves, and begin to think rationally again.  At that point, return to your spouse and try to speak at a reasonable volume about what is bothering you.

The communication foundations you lay today will affect your relationship for a lifetime, so take the time to figure out the best ways to discuss highly charged topics and deal with confronting each other in a loving way. It will pay off, I promise!  Just reading this blog post is a great step towards continuing your newlywed bliss.  What discoveries have you made about communication as a newlywed?

Fox 40 Interview: Marriage Name Change

Monday, September 19th, 2011

MissNowMrs.com’s founder was interviewed about marriage name change and all of the in’s and out’s of the process last week on Sacramento FOX 40 News. She also shared some pointers for newlyweds navigating the process on their own.

What’s the inside scoop? Danielle suggested that brides discuss their name change with their spouses prior to getting married and then stay very organized when preparing for their name change. Knowing your individual state’s name-change requirements can save you hours of hassle and multiple trips to state and government offices.

With over 80,000 customers, MissNowMrs.com is an excellent resource for expert married name change information as well as online name-change services so check us out today!

Name Change Forms & Travel Tips on WJXT TV

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011

Danielle Tate, the founder of MissNowMrs.com, was on the WJXT’s Morning Show last Monday to talk about the multitude of forms a woman needs to file to change her name after marriage. She also gave some great travel tips related to name change. Click here to view the video clip of her sharing her expertise with one of the the hosts of Jacksonville’s Morning Show.

What were the tips? Danielle suggested that brides understand their state’s filing procedures before beginning the name change process and pay attention to the specific order they must file their forms in. Another insider tip she shared was for ladies to book their honeymoon travel in their maiden names and to pay for travel insurance to avoid any name-related issues at the airport.

Do you have questions about married name change in your state? MissNowMrs.com is your source for expert married name change information so check us out today!

Newlywed Name Change Tips & Trends for 2011

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

The founder of MissNowMrs.com, Danielle Tate, was on the WBKO’s Midday Live show morning on Thursday to talk about the latest tips and trends in newlywed name change. Click here to view the video clip of her sharing her expertise with Hayley Harmon.

What were the tips? Danielle suggested that brides planning to change their names post-wedding check into their state’s regulations and filing order before beginning the process. Another good tip is to order 2-3 marriage certificates so you can file multiple forms simultaneously…and become a Mrs. that much faster!

What were the trends? Overall, American women seem to by hyphenating less and using the maiden to middle name change option more than ever. Whatever version of name change is best for you, MissNowMrs.com is your source for a simple streamlined married name change experience!

Summer Hair Care (How to Fight the Frizz)!

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

Newlywed Hair DosWith the arrival of  warm weather comes a handful of beauty woes. The biggest battle…taming summer hair frizz.  Don’t spend your mornings in frustration, piling on products to tame that unmanageable mane. Here are a few tips to keep you looking like the fabulous newlywed you are, all summer long!

Don’t Go Short – Though the scorching summer heat will have you ready to shorten those locks, keep your hair long. Short hair is more likely to bulk up in hot humid weather. So save the new do for a humid-free season like Fall. Leave those locks long!

Change Your Shower Routine – To make sure you steer clear of summer frizz, don’t over wash your hair.  Try changing your regular routine to include fewer showers and more baths, the natural oils in your scalp will lessen the frizz factor. Also, use a high quality conditioner and leave it on for a while before rinsing. When rinsing, leave a very light layer in your hair to help combat frizz.

Steer Clear of Hair Volumizing Products – Stay away from products that give you more volume and body, resulting in MORE summer frizz.  Go light on the products and do your research!

Shift Your Focus – The clock is ticking. It is almost 8:30 a.m. And you are nowhere near ready for work. Sometimes, the solution is to shift your focus. Put your hair in an elegant twist and play up your makeup or those fabulous long earrings you recently purchased. Another option is to quickly section a part of your hair, braid it and create a messy bun.

With these tips you can look forward to smooth sailing in the hair department this summer.  All the more time to spend selecting your sundress and accessories for the day! Do you have any summer hair tips to share?  We’d love for you to leave a comment!

Tips courtesy of Barbara Abbasi, Hairstylist and Ferrum Inventor.

Beat The Post-Wedding Blues

Monday, June 20th, 2011

Bride with Post Wedding BluesEver since you were a little girl you’ve dreamed about the picture perfect wedding and you’ve been consumed by the wedding planning process for months (or maybe even years)—and then it’s over!  Many brides romanticize everything about their wedding day and honeymoon and feel overwhelmed by the reality of the ‘real world’ upon returning from their trips.  Some of us don’t know what to do with ourselves following the wedding  because we’ve focused all our energy on the seemingly never- ending wedding planning process and are left with what are known as the post-wedding blues.  Women have been known to say that wedding planning was filled with some of the best, most stressful or even worst times of their lives!  No matter how you feel about your experience, you may be left thinking that you have nothing to fill that void.

Some depression after your wedding day is normal as you’re transitioning into a new phase in your life; which can often be scary.  Before your biggest worries were centerpieces, dresses, rings… and now you’re left thinking about buying a house, paying bills, having kids, and all of the major things that come to fruition after being married.  The good thing now, is that all of these responsibilities are shared! So a couple weeks of feeling down is normal, but after that if you are still feeling frustrated or angry at your spouse, then you may want to seek out something new to occupy your time.  Personally, I’ve found that the best way to get over post-wedding blues is to seek help by talking to friends and family about the way you are feeling.  Recognize that you are still YOU and now just sharing your fabulous self with your best friend, and the one you have given your heart to!

Here are some tips on how to get yourself out of your post nuptial funk:

Gain Perspective: Your wedding was meant to last only one day, leaving you with a marriage to last forever!  It’s great that you spent all of your time making your special day as picture perfect as possible, but now think about how you can make your new life wonderful, day-in and day-out.  Share your goals with your spouse (whether it’s a vacation or plans to buy a house) and talk about how you will both work to reach those goals together.

Plan a Cocktail Party: You may be missing the planning aspect of your wedding, so why not plan a party for friends or family to come over and make use of the new dishes, bowls, etc. that you just received as wedding gifts?!  Or plan a night out to dinner, or dancing with other couples or friends.  You can be married and still enjoy night life!

Be Lazy: Now that you don’t have to worry about breathing, eating and sleeping all things bridal, you may find that you have some extra time on your hands.  It’s okay to do nothing!  That’s right—I said nothing!  You can put on some comfy sweats, watch a movie and enjoy cuddling with your new hubby!  Or take a bubble bath and enjoy a good book with a glass of wine!

Get a New Hobby: Maybe you’re just bored because you have too much time on your hands right now.  It’s the perfect time to start a home-improvement project or to get a new hobby.  You and your spouse could work on the project together (or separate if you’d like) or you could each start a hobby of your own to keep some time to yourselves.  Remember, just because you are married doesn’t mean that you have to do EVERYTHING together.  Lets face it, you’re still individuals too!

Family Getaways: Tips For Vacationing With The In-Laws

Wednesday, March 9th, 2011

Vacationing with In-LawsAt some point in almost every marriage there will come a day when the family decides to vacation together. Whether with one set of parents or two, this can be both a fun and a stressful undertaking.  Taking the right steps before leaving your home can make a big difference in how the vacation proceeds and how well everyone gets along.

Planning is Essential While this is the case, planning in the wrong way can lead to frustrations and hurt feelings. Don’t try to create the vacation agenda completely on your own and don’t dump the project on just one other person. This should be a shared task and each member of the group should have some input. Keep in mind that not all activities have to be done by the whole group. Allow for this in the planning. That also means understanding if not all members of the group want to participate in the things that most excite you.

Expect Some Financial Tension One of the most common occurrences in large family vacations is awkwardness over money. It is rare that all involved participants will have the same financial status at the time of the trip. This makes it easier for some to go off agenda than others. Be prepared for and discuss what the protocol will be when these awkward financial matters arise. It might be an uncomfortable conversation now, but it will avoid similarly stressful situations surrounding “who pays for what” while you’re on your group getaway.

Let History be Your Guide Are you unsure of what to expect while vacationing with the in-laws? Then, ask.  Look at old photo albums together or ask your spouse to tell you stories of past excursions. These little insights will likely provide you a better understanding of what is being expected by the other members of your extended family. For instance, if all the best memories from your husband’s family trips are centered around adventures, you might want to plan something like white water rafting or deep sea fishing to ensure that they’ll all be satisfied with the trip.

Plan for Personal Time Even while on vacation, you will more than likely need an escape when traveling with others. It’s a good idea to pack a book, some of your favorite music, magazines, or some other form of personal entertainment, which can be enjoyed when you need to get away from the group. Also consider scheduling time on your itinerary for couples to go off on their own and enjoy some private time. After all, this is your time to be away from the stresses of life and you will likely want to spend a few of those special moments alone with your spouse.

Have you been on a vacation with your in-laws?  How did it go?  Are there any tips you’d share with our readers to help them avoid potential pitfalls?