Newlywed Needs Archives

Name Change Questions to Ask Yourself

As wedding season hits full bloom, brides are beginning to ask themselves name change questions. Remember back to middle school when you tried on various boyfriends’ last names to see how they sounded? This is the real-life version of that game. Newlyweds have to decide if they will keep their maiden names or change to a married name.

The MissNowMrs name change experts have come up with some facts and name change questions to help you as you ponder your married name change decision.

There are many name change options to consider. You don’t have to choose between your maiden name or your spouse’s last name. Brides today can hyphenate, take two last names without hyphenation, take their maiden name as a second middle name, replace their middle name with their maiden name or keep their maiden name. Not having to part with your maiden name completely can make your decision process easier.

Think about your life now and in the future. Is your career tied to your maiden name? If so, it may be wise to keep your maiden name or choose a married name change option that includes your maiden name with your spouse’s name. Do you plan to have children? How would you and your spouse feel about having different names than your children? How will your children feel? Asking these questions can help you refine you feelings about married name change and what is best for you.

Will you? Won’t you? While there isn’t a time limit for deciding to change your name after marriage, it is wise to make the decision as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more things you will need to change if you opt to change your name (ex: leases, insurance, mortgages, bank accounts.) We’re big fans of the Band-Aid mentality.

If you’re going to change your name, do it, and do it as quickly as possible. That’s why we created MissNowMrs.com to streamline the 13 hours hassle of changing your name after marriage into a 30 minute app or online experience! We’ve also created a free married name change checklist that details the entire process of making the transition to Mrs!

Photo credit: Kenziemil

The Perfect Bridal Shower Gift Formula

Are you searching for the perfect bridal shower gift this season? Before the big days of friends and family members comes a flurry of brunches, teas, and afternoons filled with celebrating the bride-to-be. While every event may be different, you do need a shower gift. Not to worry, we have the perfect formula to help you bring the best shower gift for each of your friends!

Something Nostalgic + Something Helpful + Something Beautiful = The Perfect Shower Gift

Something Nostalgic
The first component of your gift should be something that will remind the bride of your friendship or her new relationship. If she met her fiancé in Spain, a tapas cookbook or a gift card to a Spanish restaurant would be perfect! If the two of you spent hours at a particular shop or spa, a goodie from that establishment is a great way to remind her of all of the good times you have had as friends.

Something Helpful
If you’re already married you have amassed married knowledge your friend needs. Think of something that was difficult for you as a newlywed or something you wish someone had given you. A MissNowMrs gift card is a perfect component for your perfect shower gift. It saves the bride 13 hours of hassle on her name change! Instead of standing in long office lines and stressing about what form to file when and where, she’ll breeze through the process in 30 minutes! You will absolutely receive a thank you note for this gift!

Something Beautiful
Weddings are filled with beauty, so of course wedding shower gifts should have a beautiful component. This can range from a mini perfume with floral notes for her wedding day, to gorgeous wrapping paper in her wedding colors, to your favorite bridal beauty item. Again, think of your friend. If she isn’t into super fussy things, skip the lace and give her elegant stationary or an engraved business card holder in her new name.

We hope this formula helps you create perfect personalized bridal shower gifts for the amazing women in your life. Enjoy this season of love!

4 Tips To Make Your New Year’s Name Change Resolution Happen

Did you make a name change resolution to make your married name change a reality in the New Year? Whether you were a New Years bride or have been procrastinating for months, January is an ideal time to change your name after marriage. So, if you’ve made the decision to officially switch to Mrs. how do you get started? Below are a few tips to ensure your name change resolution actually happens this year.

Name Change Resolution Tip #1

Decide on the last name that is perfect for you. You can take your spouse’s last name, hyphenate, take two last names, take your maiden as an additional middle name, or replace your middle name with your maiden name. Undecided? Play the Married Name Game and let its patent-pending algorithm suggest your ideal married last name(s) and factor in state laws, as some states do not allow all forms of married name change.

Name Change Resolution Tip #2
Request 2-3 certified copies of your marriage certificate. This is the legal document that you will need to file with your name-change forms. Having several copies will allow you to file at several offices simultaneously, and become a Mrs. that much faster. *Trust us, the faster you go through the process, the less hiccups you will encounter.

Name Change Resolution Tip #3

Determine the filing order for your state of residence. Different states require different forms of ID to be filed first. Some want you to file with Social Security 24-48 hours before filing for your new driver’s license. Some states want to see your social security card in your maiden name to process your new driver’s license application, and still others require that you bring your new Social Security card with your new married name (which take 2 weeks to process) before they will issue your new driver’s license. Understanding the filing order where you live will help you plot where you file first, second, and third. That knowledge will also help you avoid making mistakes that can result in standing in long government office lines several times. Feel free to use our detailed married name change checklist as you map out your transition to Mrs

Name Change Resolution Tip #4
Skip the stress of re-creating the name-change wheel and use the MissNowMrs.com easy online name change service. Sure we’re a little biased (it is our company) but honestly…wouldn’t you rather spend $30 to save 13 hours of tedious form research, completion, and filing? There’s a reason we have over 350,000 customers. Smart busy brides see the value in outsourcing their name change so they can spend more time doing fun newlywed things like decorating, celebrating, and spending time with their spouses!

Holiday Cocktail Recipes for Newlyweds

Tis the season for holiday cocktail recipes! After shopping, wrapping, cooking, and traveling, it can also be a stressful time as you figure out your holiday plans with both families. So, if you need a cup of cheer (read alcoholic beverage) to make the next few weeks more manageable, or if you are entertaining guests, below is a fabulous recipe for a Karma Apple Cocktail. It’s simple to create, and brings together the flavors of caramel, apple, and cardamom. Consider it comfort and joy in a glass!

Karma Apple Cocktail
Makes 1 serving
2 oz. applejack brandy
2 oz. salted caramel vodka
4 oz. spiced apple cider
1/8 – 1/16 tsp. cardamom
1/2 cup ice
Garnish: thin slice of green or red apple
Shake together the first four ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Pour over ice into a lowball glass and garnish with a thin slice of apple. Make one for a friend, too, to ensure good karma.

Interested in more amazing yet easy holiday cocktail recipes? Visit TheScramble.com! You’ll find endless unique recipes for beverages and food. More of a cooking video gal? Check out The Scramble channel on YouTube. You’re welcome and happy holidays!

Photo & Recipe credit: The Scramble

3 Newlywed Holiday Tips

Looking for newlywed holiday tips? Being newlyweds opens an entirely new life…a life together. Most of the time that is an amazing thing to explore. Occasionally newlywed life can be a little scary as you navigate two families and holiday expectations. The worst thing you can do is “go with the flow” and make everyone but yourselves happy. Your first holidays together and how you handle them with your family will set a precedent for the rest of your married lives. Read on for a few tips to make the holidays more comfortable as newlyweds.

Holiday Tip 1: Know what you want for “your” holiday
If you and your spouse never discuss what would make you individually and collectively happy over the holidays, you’re setting yourselves up for unhappiness. Understanding the key thing for each person that makes a holiday special and making sure you prioritize those two things is tangible goal you can set and work to achieve together. If you have made a holiday plan together, it will be easier to communicate with your families. Instead of stammering and somehow agreeing to a dinner you know your spouse will hate. You can say “We made a plan to spend Christmas Eve in front of the fire together as newlyweds.”

Holiday Tip 2: Set gift expectations
Even if you have been dating for years, marriage can change a person’s expectations around the holidays. Talk about setting a gift budget for each other and your families. You won’t lose the element of surprise, but you will mitigate the disaster of supremely mis-matched gifts and hurt feelings. Unsure what to get each other? Consider booking a trip or purchasing a gym membership together. Memories and good habits early on will influence your marriage for years to come!

Holiday Tip 3: You can’t do it all
As you are building your married relationship, you can be tempted to do everything possible to make your spouse, family, their family, and friends happy. Don’t, it’s a recipe for burnout. Take this holiday season as a time to reflect on who is important to you and spend time with them. Not everyone needs a gift. Sometimes a coffee, cocktail, or email is all you need to spread cheer and good will.

As you enter into the holiday season with your husband or wife…remember how blessed you are to be spending it with the person you love. Don’t forget to tell them, take pictures, make memories, and have fun! Happy holidays newlyweds!