The Name Game

It used to be pretty much assumed that a bride would take her new husband's last name, but in the present day, when couples are waiting longer to tie the knot and women are more independent and established before marrying, brides are utilizing several different options other than completely changing their last name.

Every situation is unique, and it is an extremely personal decision. Often, a woman may be well-known within her field or career, or her family may not have any boys to carry on her last name. Or she simply may be attached to her last name and want to keep it.

You really have a lot of options when you get married and are thinking about changing your name. They include:

-Hyphenating both of your last names (Mary Ann Jones-Smith)
-Changing your maiden name to your middle name (Mary Jones Smith)
-Changing your last name to his last name (Mary Smith)
-Keeping all of your names on paper but only using your new last name (Mary Ann Jones Smith, but going by Mary Smith to your friends, family and coworkers)
-Keeping all your names and using new last name for personal and maiden for business. This could especially work well if you are already established in your career. (You'll be Mr. and Mrs. Smith to your friends, but your business card will still read Mary Jones.)
-Don’t take your husband’s name at all (Mary Jones and Mark Smith).
-Have both you and husband use hyphenated names (Mary and Mark Jones-Smith)
-Have your husband take your last name, which is not as uncommon as you might think (Mary and Mark Jones)

Whatever decision you choose to make, take some time to think about it and choose what is best for you. Don't worry about what others will think!