newlyweds

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!

9 Wedding Day Essentials

Here are 9 wedding day essentials to ensure the perfect day! You’ve done a lot of planning to get to your wedding day, and it’s finally here. From securing the perfect vendors to choosing your floral arrangements and much more, it’s a great feeling to finally have everything crossed off of your checklist. But, one thing that brides often forget about, is what could pop up when getting ready to walk down the aisle. We want to make sure you’re prepared to handle whatever is thrown your way.

Wedding Hair Essentials

No bride wants to be worrying about her hair as she’s saying her vows or greeting guests at the reception. To ensure that every hair stays properly in its place, but a travel-size hairspray in your bag, along with a couple bobby pins. Also include this tangle-free hair tie for when you’re ready to hit the dance floor!

Wedding Makeup Essentials

Whether you have a makeup artist or have done your own look, it’s important to have makeup that stays. However, be ready to do some quick touch-ups if needed. Finishing powder is perfect for a light dusting over your face. It’s also great for preventing any unwanted shiny spots caused by sweating. Lip balm is also a good idea, not only for dry lips, but if you need a little moisture before or after applying a matte lip color. No bride wants cracked lips for the big kiss! Mini makeup wipes are a must for getting rid of excess dirt or sweat before applying your wedding day makeup. Wipes will also come in handy at the end of the night when you’re ready to get it all off.

Wedding Dress Essentials

Most dresses are altered to fit the bride perfectly. But, there are times when she has gained or lost a little bit of weight right before the big day, causing the fit to be slightly off. The first step to finding the perfect fit is with the right support. A discreet strapless bra can do wonders for securing the top of the dress. It also lends proper support. Heavy-duty safety pins are great for securing access fabric or for handling puckering cutting out the hassle of a needle and thread. It’s not a bad idea to have a pair of scissors on hand as well for tiny loose threads. Eyebrow scissors are surprisingly helpful thanks to their small design that can easily get into zipper lines or embroidery.

Behind the Scenes Essentials

While hopefully everything is taken care of in advance, there are times when vendors have last-minute questions. Someone needs a signature, or you’re short on a final deposit. Have your checkbook handy, as well as a pack of sticky notes and a pen to sign checks. These items make it easy to make any necessary payments that pop up or to pass along messages for wedding day helpers. The last thing you want to be worrying about is running around your venue as the countdown begins.

Wedding Fun Essentials

Every bride is different, but think about what little accessories will bring a little extra joy or excitement. Do you want to give your bridesmaids a cute little gift right before they head down the aisle? Or, do you want to have a quick wedding day cocktail with them to tackle your nerves? Thinking ahead will allow you to create the fun moments you’ll remember for a lifetime!

Whatever essentials you choose to include, be sure to have fun and focus on the best parts of getting ready to say “I do,” and get excited for the life ahead of you! While there are many different details that go into getting married, there are tons of resources out there to help it go as seamlessly as possible. MissNowMrs is just an example with the tools you need to change your name. Check out our site for advice and help, and follow us on Instagram for more wedding and post-wedding info!

Blending Last Names: The Inside Scoop on Unconventional Name Change

The concept of blending last names after marriage makes sense. You were two independent people with different lives and different names. As you marry, you begin to blend your lives, finances, goals, families, and dreams together. A blended last name is a tangible representation of your newly blendedness (yes I made that word up).

While a combined last name may seem like a great option as newlyweds, the government doesn’t agree. As a name change service, we know all about the red tape associated with legal married name change, but it isn’t common knowledge. So here’s the scoop.

California residents are the only engage people in the US that have the option to blend their last names using the married name change process. BUT both partners must write the new last name on their marriage license application. If you think of blending after your wedding… you’re out of luck. Make that one more reason to discuss name change before saying “I do.”

What if you don’t live in California and still want to blend your last names? Traditionally both partners have to petition the court system for a legal name change order. Those documents, once issued, will allow you both to go through the name-change process and change your names. It’s not fun, but it’s how it’s done.

I recently read an article about a newlywed couple in Brooklyn who combined their last names from Franklin and Reed to Franklin Reed. They petitioned the court prior to their wedding and the judge granted their request. They celebrated with the #FranklinReedNoHyphen hashtag at their wedding! This goes to prove that where there is a will, there is a way. Even in married name change!

Should you need help changing your name, the MissNowMrs App and service can save you 13 hours of hassle.

Photo credit: Rachel Kara

Newlywed Love Is Being Stupid Together

Newlywed love is being stupid together! Most weddings I attend (including my own) have a reading from First Corinthians “Love is patient, Love is kind…” While this scripture is very true, I feel that the strongest newlywed couples understand that love is also being stupid together.

In a world that emphasizes and idolizes “perfect couples”, it’s freeing to know that being goofy is okay. In fact, silliness and inside jokes helps cement your relationship. If you haven’t laughed or been stupid together in a while, here are a few suggestions:

Rent a Comedy – Plop on the couch and reconnect as you laugh at actors antics. You may even pick up a movie quote that will make you both laugh for years to come.
Play Charades – This game is guaranteed to have you both laughing hysterically as you try to guess what your partner is acting out.
Play With Small Children or Animals – There’s nothing like little kid laughter or puppy antics to make you smile and have a good time.
Have a Squirt Gun or Water Balloon Fight – Who can keep a straight face when they’re chasing or being chased by their mate armed with liquid ammo?

How do you enjoy being stupid together with your fiancé or spouse? We’d love to hear them in a comment!

48 Hour Sale: Save 50% off the MissNowMrs Name Change Service & Gift Cards!

It’s a 48 hour sale! Listen up newlyweds and brides-to-be…we’re having a HUGE sale on the knot/wedding channel deals! For 48 hours you and your friends can save HALF OFF our online name-change service for brides! What does the service have to offer? Well, how does saving 13 hours of hassle and skipping the majority of long office lines sound?

For the sale price of $14.95, MissNowMrs.com will help you auto-complete & file your Social Security, U.S. Passport, IRS 8822, USPS, state driver’s license, vehicle title & registration, and voter registration forms! We’ll also help you notify of all of your banks, credit cards, insurances, mortgages, medical providers, investment companies and professional license boards of your new married name.

Yet another perk of our service: access to our name-change experts. They can help you understand your state’s name-change laws, assist you with complicated questions and generally make your entire name change a million times easier than trying to sort through an enormous stack of government forms on your own!

So what are you waiting for? Take advantage of this amazing sale and save money, time & stress on your name change! We can’t wait to help you go from Miss to Mrs.! Already a Mrs., but have a few friends who are getting married in 2012? Use this sale to stock up on gift cards at half price!