Changing Your Last Name After Marriage: Should You Do It?

Thinking about changing your last name after the wedding? You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not weird if you’re unsure.

In this episode of Hey Bride, I’m breaking down the real name change dilemma—because it’s way more than just paperwork. From identity questions to unexpected legal hurdles (hello, SAVE Act), this one goes deep.

Here’s what we covered:

✅ I was excited to change my name—and still waited a YEAR.

I wanted to be a Cloonan, no doubt. But I procrastinated like crazy. Why? Because I thought it was going to be a logistical nightmare. Spoiler: it wasn’t. Most of the stress came from the story I told myself about how annoying it would be.

✅ Procrastination isn’t laziness—it’s emotion.

You might be avoiding this decision not because it’s hard, but because it’s loaded. Name changes can bring up identity stuff, family expectations, or feminist feels. That’s normal. Awareness is step one.

✅ There’s no “right” decision—just the one that’s right for you.

Some brides keep their maiden name. Some hyphenate. Some take their partner’s name and never look back. ALL are valid. This isn’t about what your partner, mom, or best friend thinks—it’s about what you feel aligned with.

✅ Bonus: The SAVE Act could affect your right to vote.

Yep. A proposed law (called the SAVE Act) could make voter registration harder if your married name doesn’t match your ID or other documents. I break it all down in the episode so you can make informed choices.