Philly Knottie "Blog"

Advice for Brides

Changing Your Name

The first places to go when the time comes to change your name are the DMV and the Social Security Office.  You can do either of these first, as long as you do them both before changing your name elsewhere. 

Make sure when you went to get your marriage license choose to have it mailed to you.  Apparently this is not an automatic option. It may be a more expensive option, depending on the county in Pennsylvania, but it's worth it to not have to return to the courthouse after your honeymoon to pick up your marriage certificate.

In order to change your social security number, you will need your ORIGINAL marriage certificate, not a photocopy.  You can also use a certified copy with  raised seal from the courthouse. The process of applying for the new social security card only takes about ten minutes; you may have to fill out an application before getting in line, but this is an easy process.  (If you are asked for your parents social security numbers, but down have them, it's OK; you only need their names.)  You don't get your card right away; you get a letter explaining that you applied and will get it in a week. You do not need to have your new SS in hand to change your name with the DMV.

At the DMV the person at the desk will give you a form to fill out for changing your name that asks for basic information. When your number is called, you will need to presnt the form, your original marriage certificate, and your old driver's license. You will be handed a photo card.  You do not necessarily have to get a new photo taken; if your license won't be expiring for a while, you can, if you'd like, carry around an update card with your new name and signature.  However, the process for getting a new photo license takes about the same amount of time, and many DMVs will automatically have you take a new photo. After you take your new picture, you will have to sign your new name for the driver's license. Note: Start practicing your new signature now!  It may sound silly, but more than one bride has been caught off-guard and has wound up stuck with a signature that doesn't look much like what she signs now! 

Depending on the time of day that you go, you may have this whole process finished in less than an hour.  We recommend going around 2-3pm since you'll miss the "lunch hour" folks, and you'll be before the "I left work an hour early" folks. Be forewarned that social security offices and DMVs do close early, and are not open every day, so be sure to check their hours before you go!  Be prepared to take a few hours out of a workday for this. 

After changing your name on your driver's license and SS card, you're ready to change everything else!  An incomplete list of other considerations you should make is:

• bank or credit union.
• brokerage and other investment accounts.
• employer
  
• mortgage company or landlord.
• credit card companies.
• department store accounts.
• insurance companies or agent (auto, home, life, etc.).
• car title (not really needed unless you're planning to sell your car..)
• car registration
  
• medical offices (your doctor, dentist, OB-GYN, veterinarian, etc.).
• utilities (phone, electric, natural gas, heating oil, etc.).
• passport office (note: changing the name on your passport is free and can be done by mail if your passport is less than a year old).
  
• post office.
• voter registration board.
• other miscellaneous accounts and memberships (Internet service provider, newspaper and magazine subscriptions, auto club, alumni associations, etc.).

Advice from Philly Brides

tracyd21: Don't go to bed angry. You won't get any sleep and will be more angry in the morning. Don't get mad at the groom when he says "that sounds fine" or "sure, whatever you want" when it comes to minor wedding details. It's nowhere near as important to him as it is to you, and there is nothing wrong with that. He will most likely speak up when he wants a say.

Icebunnie: Let the groom pick something out all by himself.

HeatherWain: Follow your gut instinct with vendors. If you are have having 2nd thoughts and think you should switch, you probably should.

samanthas8882: Don't spend more than you can handle as it is only one day. Spend wisely so you can start your marriage off financially sound. If you can't pay it off after the wedding, you shouldn't be doing it.

ValAndRyan: Enjoy every second you possibly can (seriously, stop and just look around a couple times). Soak every minute in because it goes by fast and just smile all day - don't let anything get to you.

Kagkiki11: You can't plan EVERY detail and get upset over small details not working out the way you expect them to. You might not even notice them at the wedding, nor will your guests.

larrysdarling: Pay as you go.

duchess_1800: On the day of the wedding, don't worry about any of the details. Just focus on your husband and being married and have a good time. The day goes so quickly. Let your vendors worry about the details that day.... and even if something does go wrong, don't let it bother you.