Newlywed Advice

Looking for name change advice or some tips for newlywed life? The MissNowMrs experts have created state-specific name change articles and checklists for you. We’ve chronicled our recommendations for how to travel while changing your name AND how to handle voting during the transition.

We’ve also compiled our best guidance for how to handle difficult sister in laws, holidays as newlyweds, the ever-annoying baby questions, and much more. Why? Because, while we are name change experts, we’re also newlywed wives, moms, and sisters.

We hope our name change advice articles help smooth your transition to your new name, and a whole new phase of life. Congratulations and best wishes from the entire MissNowMrs team!

Morgan’s Real Name Change Story

We’re so excited to share Morgan’s real name change story! How amazing is this first look photo?! Don’t miss how being best friends resulted in a 200 person wedding in Chicago, how Morgan cried (happy tears) the first time someone called her by her married name, and her advice for fellow newlyweds!!

Matt & I met when we were 18 through a mutual friend (who ended up being our best man). We remained acquaintances through college then when we graduated we both moved back to Denver & reconnected. We were both dating other people but we instantly became best friends. I could not get enough of him & we talked every single day. After about a year of being ‘best friends’ we realized we were supposed to be together. We went 0-100 which freaked some people out, but it was the best decision either of us ever made.

We got engaged in Nov 2015 the day before Thanksgiving. Matt was in law school so we set the wedding date for July 27, 2018 in Chicago, my hometown. We both come from huge families & have a lot of friends from over the years so it was a huge wedding at the Bridgeport Art Center in downtown Chicago. We had 20 people in our bridal party, 200+ guests & it was literally the best day of my life!

I always knew I wanted to take Matt’s last name – he is the most wonderful man I’ve ever known & his family is wonderful – I couldn’t wait to be a Bennett! We discussed hyphenating my maiden name & his last name, but ultimately I was set on changing it.The first time a stranger called me “Mrs. Bennett” I literally cried. I always called myself that among our friends/family but having someone who didn’t know me (and how obsessed I was with Matt & our wedding) but hearing it so organically was just the best.
I love my maiden name and I have a very big but close knit family. Not being a Kovacs anymore felt like I was separated from them for a while, but they know I’ll always be a Kovacs at heart. And they love Matt, so me becoming a Bennett was a big deal for all of us.
I’m what the call the ULTIMATE PROCRASTINATOR! I have lists & ideas for days but what I get accomplished is a whole ‘other topic! MissNowMrs put everything together for me, shipped it to me with the labels I needed to send them to the correct offices & all I had to do was sign & put it in the mailbox. They also covered things I didn’t think of like credit cards & other typical bills that I would have had to deal with. I’m so glad I found this site.

Being married is the best! The day after our wedding, waking up with my HUSBAND (and not having to plan a wedding anymore) was the best feeling I’ve ever felt. Cherish the little things and always remind yourself why you chose to marry that person.
Welcome to the club!

Photo Credit: Leslie Van Stelten Photography

Natalie Seng | Wedding Pro Wednesday

This Wedding Pro Wednesday, I’m excited to introduce you to Natalie Seng, the principle designer and owner of Designed Perfectly Events. Her company offers full and partial event planning, styling, and design as well as Wedding Day Management. With over 12 years of hands-on experience, they specialize in classic weddings with bold personalities for Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and beyond. (Pssst…their passports are ready!)

If you are considering engaging a professional planner for your wedding, or are curious about the profession, don’t miss Natalie’s answers to my questions below!

Have you always been a wedding professional? If not, what was your previous career?
No, my first job was actually in Television. I was a Floor Director and Associate Producer at a local news station. I got married while working there and I absolutely loved everything about planning my wedding. Like so many brides, felt a void when the wedding and planning was over. So I contacted local planners for internship or employment opportunities but got nowhere.

I found an ad for field staff for a local catering company and called to see if I would be able to intern in the sales department instead. I was excited when they said yes. My internship didn’t last very long when I was offered a full time position as an Event Designer. I excelled at that position for many, many years and I absolutely loved the logistical and event design aspect of it. For the brides that did not hire a planner or coordinator I basically became theirs when I felt someone was needed to take the reins.

What inspired you to create your company?
I loved the involvement and the relationship I was able to form with my clients while working in catering. However, the more involved I got the more I realized that this was something I was even more passionate about and after 10 years I decided to branch out on my own. Running my own company allows me to be very hands on with my client and provide the best service possible. I started Designed Perfectly Events in the Summer of 2014.

What was your biggest obstacle and failure in going from idea to business?
I had been “dreaming” about becoming my own boss for a long time but it was a scary decision to go from a cushy job to a solo entrepreneur. However, in order to succeed in life, you have to take risks. Starting my own company was definitely the right move for me and I am enjoying every second of it.

What do you love most about your job?
My clients! Every couple and every wedding is so very different. It’s exciting to look forward to each and every celebration and to work towards translating their thoughts and ideas into something tangible that adds their personality into the mix. This industry is ever changing and the passion really keeps on building by trying to exceed your client’s expectations on their big day. Revealing the reception space to my clients is actually my favorite moment at each of our weddings. This is where they can really see their vision come to life. It’s a very emotional moment.

What is your best advice for brides related to your area of expertise?
I believe that every couple should treat themselves to have at least a “month of coordinator” to assist with the last minute details and to pull the logistics together. Most of my clients will tell me afterwards that we were one of the best investment they made for their wedding. But aside from that, I tell my clients to enjoy the journey. Wedding planning can be very stressful at times and it’s important to remember why you are planning this grand event in the first place. We encourage our couples to plan date nights where wedding plans are off topic and just enjoy each other’s company.

Natalie Seng’s best advice for newlyweds

Communicate often. Be truthful. Learn to compromise and love deeply.

Wedding Pro Wednesday: Valerie Hammer

It’s Wedding Pro Wednesday! The day I showcase a wedding professional’s startup story as well as their advice for brides-to-be and newlyweds. Who better to give that advice than the professionals who work with engaged and married couples 365 days a year? The professionals behind dream weddings deserve a little limelight themselves!

Today I am excited to introduce you to Valerie Hammer, an amazing DC-based makeup artist and the founder of Valerie Hammer Makeup Artistry. I heard about her from a circle of girl friends, you know the ones you turn to when you need a really great recommendation. I was looking for someone to do my makeup for a photoshoot for my book cover, and every single friend said I had to call Valerie Hammer. So of course I booked an appointment! When I met Valerie I was immediately put at ease by how professional yet approachable she was. She listened to what I wanted, and worked her magic (which includes an entire armoire drawer of false lashes). I looked like a better version of myself… and felt like a super model business woman for the day!

If you are curious about professional makeup for your wedding, or makeup artistry as a possible career, Valerie’s story and advice are perfect for you. Read her answers to my questions below!

What inspired you to create your company?
I spent 9 years working in the credit industry during the week, while building a freelance makeup business on weekends. As the bridal niche kind of “found me” I decided to leave the credit industry in 2014 to dedicate more time to my makeup clients. I was inspired to create Valerie Hammer Makeup Artistry because I knew I wanted to spend my life doing something I truly enjoyed. There is nothing more gratifying to me than making people feel absolutely beautiful.

What was your biggest obstacle and failure in going from idea to business?
My biggest obstacle was the thought of leaving the “security” of my corporate job. I had a 401k, stock options, medical benefits, PTO and sick days, and a steady/dependable paycheck. The idea of transitioning to a career that was highly flexible without the security was terrifying.

What do you love most about your job?
From a literal perspective? It’s the reaction that I get from a client when they look in the mirror after their makeup is done. On a larger scale? I love knowing that my clients will look back on their wedding/event photos years down the road and remember that they felt beautiful on one of the most important days of their lives.

What is your best advice for brides related to your area of expertise?
Don’t be afraid to speak up during your trial run. Remember that this is YOUR day, and your vision is my #1 goal. As a professional I will help guide your vision into what flatters your features and will ultimately compliment the rest of your look. What’s most important is that YOU feel beautiful, and your makeup artist can only accomplish that if you tell us what you like and what makes you feel comfortable.

What is your best advice for newlyweds?
Always remember that you and your spouse are a team. You may not always agree on everything (because having your own opinion is also very important.) But make sure you consciously respect each others’ opinions because in the end, you guys are building a life together….as a team. The larger life decisions are ultimately much easier to make when you and your spouse are working together to make them.

Photo credit: Elisenda Llinares Photography

5 Ideas For Creating A Holiday Moment Together This Year

Creating a holiday moment together is SO important! Whether you’re planning your wedding or celebrating your first Christmas as newlyweds the holidays hold a host of parties, activities, family gatherings and maybe a few stressful questions. What are you buying your spouse? Are you now in charge of his/her family Christmas gifts? Where are you spending the holiday this year? Who’s traditions will be honored? What is your holiday budget?

In the midst of the shopping, baking, wrapping and traveling, I have one piece of advice for you. Plan time for just the two of you to make a memory. If you don’t plan to do this now, the holidays will have already whirled past before you have a chance to connect.

Short on ideas? You could go ice skating, make out under the mistletoe, take a walk through holiday lights, make an ornament to remember your first Christmas or have breakfast in bed together as you exchange gifts. You can also surprise your spouse with a name change. We’ve had clients slip their new driver’s license showing their married name into a card. So cute!

Whatever you choose, you’ll be able to look back over the years and remember “your holiday moment” as a nearlywed or newlywed!

We’d love to hear about how you’re creating a holiday moment together! Please leave a comment below.

Give We a Rest: A Guide to Maintaining Friendships Post Wedding

Your girlfriends are all happy that you’ve met the love of your life and tied the knot. Most, if not all of them, were there for your big day AND all of the days you spent planning it. Marriage changes a person, and your friends are adjusting to the new newlywed you. No need to make it harder for them.

Remember your single buds and to try not be “the nouveau newlywed.” You know, the girl who coordinates all of her outfits with her spouse, spends all of her time with him and can’t possibly have a conversation without overusing “we”. Examples: “We love that restaurant”, “We plan to move in the next few years”, “We think that you should date so and so.”

Make a point to go to brunch with the girls and listen to what is going on in their lives. Ask about their relationships and jobs. Seems simple, but in the midst of your newlywed bliss it is all too easy to skip out on all-girl outings or blabber entirely too much about how great love and marriage is (trust me they’re happy for you, but enough is enough).

Time spent and conversations had with your girlfriends are priceless. Allotting time and attention to them from the very start of your marriage will ensure that you don’t look around in two years and realize that you lost touch with the people that knew you best before “I do”. You’ll also get to smile and pass on this advice when those friends get married and can’t help the “we” speak!
Have you been caught up in “We-dom” or been guilty of it yourself? We’d love to hear all about it in a comment.