TO CHANGE OR NOT TO CHANGE?

While tradition dictates we ditch our maiden name at the altar, more and more women are choosing alternative options

Decisions, decisions! There are so many to be made in the lead-up to your big day but there are also some to be made after you say ‘I do’, like whether or not you will change your last name. According to recent reports, more than 80 percent of brides still take their partner’s surname, but the rest of you are kicking tradition to the curb. Not sure if you’re going to keep your maiden name, take your partner’s, or heck, choose a new last name completely? Don’t worry, there’s an option for everyone. TAKE YOUR PARTNER’S NAME

For many brides, having the same last name as their partner is the ultimate symbol of commitment. “I’ve always been proud of my husband and what he’s achieved, so for me, it was really important to take his last name as a sign of our union and for when we start a family together,” says Jane Brinkers, 30. “It was quite emotional giving up my surname and I thought about retaining it as a middle name, but decided to keep it simple. Occasionally, I do forget I’m Mrs Brinkers, but every time I’m reminded, it brings me back to our special day.” KEEP YOUR NAME AS IS

There are a tonne of reasons you might choose to keep your maiden name: you’re the last of your family with your surname; you have a unique or alliterative name; you’ve made a name for yourself in your chosen field; you don’t like your partner’s surname; or you simply feel it’s an outdated custom. “I kept Wallace because it’s my name; it’s my identity,” says Lucy Wallace, 34. “My husband refused to change his, and I didn’t think I was under any obligation to change mine if he wasn’t willing to. I think changing names harks back to an era when women were passed through society as male possessions, which isn’t something I’m comfortable with.” HYPHENATE YOUR LAST NAMES

Stuck in the middle? You can always hyphenate. “I really like my maiden name, Ryan, and didn’t want to give it up. Hyphenating was the best of both worlds and my husband was all for it,” says Kathryn Wilton-Ryan, 29. “I realise that Wilton-Ryan isn’t the traditional way to do it (it should be Ryan-Wilton), but I think it looks and sounds better this way.” If hyphenating isn’t your thing, simply double-barrel your surnames without one, e.g. Wilton Ryan. KEEP YOUR MAIDEN NAME AS A MIDDLE NAME

Don’t want a long last name, but don’t want to give up your surname? Take it as a middle name, e.g. Jessica Jones marries John (or Jane) Smith, becoming Jessica Jones Smith. MAKE UP A NEW LAST NAME

This can be a combination of your and your spouse’s last names (if they can be combined, of course) or a surname you both like. HAVE YOUR SPOUSE TAKE YOUR NAME If you love your surname and your partner is not too attached to theirs, then there is no reason why they can’t take on yours.

HOW DO I CHANGE MY NAME LEGALLY? A marriage licence issued by the Department of Internal Affairs is sufficient evidence that you have married and you can start officially changing your name on all your identification documents. If you want to change your name completely, you will have to go through a legal name change process via the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Top tip: If you and your partner want a new name, it’s easiest for them to legally change theirs before the wedding, then you can use the wedding certificate to change yours afterwards.