Staff Writer

Same Sex Marriage Equality in 2014 and the New Year

Looking back on 2014, there have been great strides made in same sex marriage equality. In the last month South Carolina, Wyoming, Nevada and Arizona have legally recognized same sex marriages, bringing the total number of states that recognize same sex couples’ right to marry to 35.

Same sex couples marrying in these 35 states can apply for a marriage license at their county clerk’s offices, have an officiated legal wedding ceremony and will receive a certified marriage certificate. With a certified marriage certificate, the newlywed couple can file for a name change via the married name change process. This saves them the headache of navigating the legal name change process and petitioning the U.S. court system for the right to change their last names.

A big trend in same sex name-change in 2014 was the blending of two last names into a new married last name. For example, Miss Greenland marries Miss Burnbury and they opt to become Mrs. and Mrs. Greenbury. **Please note that only California residents have the option to blend their last names using the married name change process. Regardless of sexual orientation, newlywed couples who do not live in California will need to petition the courts to blend their last names.

2015 is around the corner and has the potential to bring marriage equality and the ability to use the married name change process to same sex couples residing in the remaining 15 states. You can check the legal marriage status of any state at any time at GayWeddings.com. Information on the marriage license application process for same sex couples can be found via MarriageLicenseNow.com.

Same Sex Married Name Change: What Rules Apply Where

The Supreme Court’s decision to not hear state appeals on same sex marriages will result in the legalization of that practice in eleven more states across the U.S. This ruling caused five states to immediately legalize same sex marriage; they include: Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina and Wyoming are overseen by appellate courts and must abide by their appeals court rulings. So they will also have to lift their bans on same sex marriage as well. This means that same sex couples in 30 states can marry in their home state and receive all of the legal benefits of marriage, including married name change.

Prior to the legalization of same-sex marriage, gay spouses were not issued a marriage license or marriage certificate. They were not able to use the married name change process to change their names. They instead had to petition the court system for a legal name change order and follow the legal name change process, which is both lengthy and expensive. Couples had to file numerous forms, be fingerprinted and run ads announcing the intended name change in local newspapers. This would only get them the name change order that is the legal document allowing them to file for their name change with government agencies.

Now, if a gay couple decides to marry in one of the 30 states that recognize their right to wed they will be issued a certified marriage certificate. That certificate can be used to file for a name change with the Social Security Administration, State Department (for a U.S. passport), the IRS, the United States Postal Service, as well as with state level offices such as the Motor Vehicle Administration and Voter Registration offices. While couples residing in states that have newly legalized same sex marriage may unfortunately meet resistance from office clerks. They can be confident that they have the legal right to change their names and enjoy newlywed life together.

3 Gowns We Love at Nordstrom Wedding Suites

Have you ever visited a Nordstrom wedding suite? Each of their 18 suites has a different selection of bridal gowns, so you can peruse a unique assortment at every location. Below we’ve highlighted three of their amazing gowns along with the weddings and accessories that we envision pairing with them.

Artsy bride, married within the vines of a winery, or somewhere on a Mediterranean coast
Classic clad groom
Minimal makeup and jewelry needed, but one could add a fun shoe (probably a wedge in a bright color) and a colorful headpiece. A cool bangle in the laid back wedding colors would work as well.
They are definitely honeymooning on a road trip through the southwest

Married in the city, at a funky museum
All members of the bridal party (guys included) are wearing different color Wayfarers for photos
This bride doesn’t need a lot of flash or jewelry, this dress speaks for itself
Her groom is in suspenders and funny socks
Definitely honeymooning in Miami, on a yacht
Their dog was the best man
After the wedding, she’ll remove that tulle, and dye the lace for use at a cocktail party

Tied the knot at an upscale venue in San Francisco.
She’s going to add a bejeweled belt to match her headband
He’s sporting a luxe custom tux
They have a small wedding, but it’s exclusive: an amazing dinner cooked by someone famous and designer gift bags

She’s marrying someone who made a big splash in Silicon Valley, now they are retired
They are honeymooning for 30 days minimum
I would change the flowers to make it all greenery and succulents, which the groom is wearing too

Are one of these dresses perfect for you or an engaged friend? We’d love to hear your thoughts in a comment, and don’t forget to pop into a Nordstrom Wedding Suite for more unique finds!

Should you be interested in changing your name. Don’t miss our 20 step name change checklist. It’s super helpful.

Spring Fling Newlywed Style: 3 Ways to Make the Most of the Season

Here are three ways to make the most of Spring Fling newlywed style. After what seemed like an endless winter for most of the U.S., Spring has finally arrived! The sun is shining, birds are chirping and love is in the air. As newlyweds, there is no better time to shake off the “winter blahs” and reconnect as a couple.

1. Take a walk and hold hands. Enjoying the warm sunshine and blooms is good for your soul and your relationship. You’re making Vitamin D, lowering your stress levels and physically connecting on a very sweet level.

2. Plant something together. Whether you stop by your local nursery and plant already blooming bulbs or select a tree or bush for your yard, working together on a project that beautifies your yard or community is a great way to enjoy Spring as newlyweds. Added bonus: you’ll get a sense of satisfaction and nostalgia each Spring when you see your handiwork in full bloom.

3. Follow nature’s example. Birds do it, bees do it….and so should you! Shave your legs, put on a sundress and make the most of Spring Fling newlyweds. If you’ve been contemplating starting a family, this may be the perfect season to get started.

Whatever you do to enjoy Spring Fling newlywed style, be sure to take time as a couple to enjoy each other and the season. We’d love to hear what your favorite Spring activities are as newlyweds, so please leave a comment.

SnapKnot: The Free Way to Find Your Perfect Photographer

Have you heard about SnapKnot? Photos are becoming increasingly important in our lives thanks to social media. Wedding photos and finding the photographer that captures your big day are honestly one of the most important parts of wedding planning.

Brides don’t want to settle for the “standard” group and family portraits. We want artistic pictures of intimate moments and feelings as well as photos that capture our friends “being themselves” at the reception. The challenge is finding a photographer in your area that has the exact style you are looking for.

Great news! SnapKnot is now ALL NEW! You can easily search thousands of wedding photographers in your area, get quotes sent to you securely and find wedding photo inspiration… All for FREE! Get started at: SnapKnot.com.

I love that you can literally type in the number of miles from your event city and your budget to receive customized results. No more finding your perfect photographer and then learning that they live in another country or charge three times your budget!
Readers…have you or a friend used SnapKnot? We’d love to hear your experiences in a comment!