Did you take your husband's last name? If so, when did you change it and was the process difficult? If not, how did your husband react to you not taking his last name? 
I did not take my husbands last name, it is Smith and we already have problems with his identity being stolen. He was fine with it although I told him if he wanted me to I would change my name. Also keep in mind I am 47 and although this is my first marriage, my identity and career are tied up in my maiden name. It would be different if we were going to have children, but we are not. -
Michelle, married March 2007I did take his name, and I waited to start the process until after we got back from the honeymoon since we traveled out of the country, and we know how tough it can be to travel these days, so I didn’t want to get caught with one form of ID with one name, and another form with a different name. I am still working on changing my name, and probably will for some time, but all of the major stuff is done. A friend emailed me with this website that made it super easy to get the process started, it helped a great deal. (www.angelfire.com/ma/dnsassoc/need.html and www.angelfire.com/ma/dnsassoc/tools.html).-
Melanie, married June 2007I did take my husband’s last name and I made the change the week we got back from our honeymoon. The process of changing my name was not difficult, it was just time consuming. -
Nona, married August 2007Yes, I changed my last name, but to Brown-Kinell because I have a business with my maiden name. My husband was perfectly fine with whatever I did, however I know it makes him proud that I wanted his last name. Yes, the process was very difficult, especially if you own your own business because not only does your personal stuff have to be changed, but all of the business stuff too. -
Lauren, married May 2007I have not changed my name at this time, but I may add his last name in the future. My husband encouraged me to choose the name I felt most comfortable with, while insisting that he prefers me to keep my name the way it was when we first met. -
Amanda, married October 2007
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On this Hallmark holiday that reminds us to express our love for each other, it should also serve as a reminder to honor those we love all year round. Start thinking of ways that you can surprise your sweetie with thoughtful gifts or actions of love and plan them throughout the year. Celebrating your love continuously will keep that Valentine's Day spark alive!
Great find Maryrose!
Be sure to discuss your personal goals with your soon-to-be to make sure that the two of you are on the same page to avoid communication blocks later in your relationship. Things to discuss: kids, financial debt, savings goals, retirement saving, religious beliefs, personal ethics, final resting. There's nothing that says that you have to agree on everything, but it's nice to know where your partner stands.
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Men cannot read between the lines. If you are mad at them, they may not know it. If you are sad, they may not pick up on this – it’s similar to how they might not recognize a new hair cut. You have to tell them how you feel, you can’t expect them to automatically know.
Did you live with your fiancé before you got married? If so, do you think this helped into the transition as newlyweds? If not, did you have any surprises as you moved into together that you’d share with another future bride?
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Brides Magazine recently printed some helpful tips when it comes to combining your money. Check it out!
Women love a man who can dance...so if you didn't take dance lessons for your first dance at your wedding...why not make it a Friday date followed by dinner! You just might find that waltzing brings out a fiery woman just as easily as swaying those hips to a latin beat.
If Girls Only Knew...
Her key to a lasting marriage: "Every day I tell him that I love him. When he was angry I just listen, then we go somewhere quiet where just the wind blows and I ask why he is angry. We talk and then it is all right."
This was an on again, off again relationship that ended in a legal battle. He claims he got cold feet after learning of her excessive outstanding debts, while she claims that he was well aware of her financial state of affairs the whole time.
Go to the local movie rental store and rent two movies... a total chick flick that has a sappy sweet ending, and then a shoot-em up bang-bang guy movie where things blow up for about 75% of the movie. Watch them together. He will love that you are willing to sit through the gore fest and you just might find that you like it :0) and what's better than you’re guy watching a love story with you. You may have to flip a coin to see whose movie goes in first.
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists
Did you and your fiancé go into your new marriage with debt from your wedding? Was this an issue in any way?
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists
