Budget Etiquette
- Question:
I’m planning to take my husband's name after we're married. Who should I notify?
- Answer:
Once you have your marriage license in hand—it usually takes a few weeks to arrive once you say I do—you can begin alerting important places of your name change. Start with the Social Security Administration; check out ssa.gov for all the details and requirements. You'll also need to update your driver's license and registration if you have a car, so your next step is to visit your state’s department of motor vehicles. With the stricter travel-identification requirements these days, your passport is another document you'll want to update right away—go to travel.state.gov to download the application. If you are taking your honeymoon immediately after your wedding, book your tickets in your maiden name, since you won't have your new driver's license and passport for identification. Contact your company's human resources department concerning your health insurance, payroll and 401(k). You will also want to change your name at your bank, including your checks and credit cards, as well as with your local post office so important mail doesn’t get lost. Other outlets to contact about your name change include clubs, utility and homeowners/auto insurance companies, doctors, election offices for voting and attorneys for legal contracts and wills.
- How much are we supposed to tip, and when?
- How can I get my parents to give me more money for the wedding?
- Who pays for flower girl outfits?
- How can I get my parents to stop making me feel guilty about the wedding's cost?
- Can my dad control the guest list if he is paying?
- Who should I notify about my name change?
- Should I pay for the bridesmaid dresses?
- Can I have a reception with selected guests?
- How should I talk money with my in-laws?
- What does the groom's family pay for?
- Must I invite everyone who invited me?
- How can my poorer guy and I split wedding costs?
- Can we ask guests to pay for their own hotels?
Submit Your Own Etiquette Question
Have an etiquette question you'd like our editors to answer?
- Do I have to have my wedding in my hometown?
- Should I pay for my bridesmaids' and dates' rooms?
- What should I do about a broke bridesmaid?
- How do contributers appear on the invite?
- How do I handle ill-timed financial offers?
- How do I thank those who've helped?
- Can I get what I want if my parents are paying?
- Do vendors prefer cash tips?
- Should my parents have a say?
- Who pays for out-of-town guests' hotel accomodations?
- Must we pay for his parents' hotel room?
- Do we have to tell people how much we're spending on the wedding?
- Do I have to accommodate my fiancé's last minute plans?
- How can I get my fiancé to be more involved in the wedding planning?
- Can I plan my wedding at work?
