I have already changed my name by deed poll from Rouse (my Mum's name) to Bronze (my stepdad's name that I've always been known by). Now I really like my name and I'm not sure I want to change it when I get married! My H2B is called 'Nicolaides'.
Now I thought my Dad (stepdad really) would be really pleased I want to keep his name, but actually he's the one who's very traditional and is upset I might not take my husband's! My H2B doesn't seem to mind to much either way, but having kids might become an issue...
Also, I'm currently the only Dr Bronze on the GMC register, but there are hundreds of Dr Nicolaides, so I definately want to keep my name for work. My degrees/professional qualifications are all in my name anyway, so easier to keep my own name for work. Can't decide whether to change my name (again), and just use my old name for work, or keep my own name and just use his name when it suits me!?
What are your thoughts guys? Also does anyone know the process for changing your name once married? Does it cost anything?
Cheers. C x

Thanks Jill, do you think would be easier to have his name but use mine for work or keep my own name and just use his outside of work? Guess I need to think about passport, bank account etc too. Urgh. x

Thought about that Sian, and other half mentioned that but I think 'Bronze-Nicolaides' is a bit of a mouthful and doesn't sound that great! Lol! x

That sounds like a good idea Nikita, he did say he'd be OK with taking mine but I'm not sure how I feel about that, I guess I like that my name is unusaul and I don't want to share it, lol! Guess I can't claim that I'm too traditional for him to have my name or I'd be taking his! Certainly something to think about...! x

Just hard to know what's best! He's happy either way and I hadn't really thought that much about changing my name until my Dad expressed his disapproval at my going against tradition! Do I have to do it straight after wedding? Or can I do it later if I change my mind?!

Lol, thanks lala, maybe that could work... (Form-filling would become a pain in the neck!)
Maybe I'll practice my signature with all the above options and see what looks good! xx

I dont really know about the legal side of name changing! Havent looked into it yet to be honest. I think when you take your h2b's name its done automatically but when he takes yours he has to do it by deed poll (i may be wrong though) But i personally would change names before the wedding :)

Think that sounds sensible LegoBride, definately my toughest decision of the wedding! x

Thanks Nikita! x

I like 'Bronze-Nicolaides' ... the only things that cost to change my name were my passport and my car insurance, everything else was free.

When you get married either can take the other's surname if you choose to all that would be needed is the marriage certificate. if you want to double barrel then you both have to do it by deed poll. Changing you name by deed poll is reidiculously easy ... and they don't even ask for any proof of identity! Or if you had time before the wedding one of you could change to the double-barrelled surname by deed poll and you have the marriage certificate as proof of name change for the other.

I'm keeping my surname on all my personal docs. My sons won't be changing there names either as its the same as mine.

I think to double barrel your names is the best option, I also prefer it as Bronze-Nicolaides.
@ MelissaJ7 I prefer Crees-Johnson (I don't know why). xx

I agree with labelle- 'Crees-Johnson' has a nice ring to it! x

Oh and 'Crees-Johnson' for me too, dont like it the other way round, doesnt sound right lol! x x

Thanks guys for your thoughts :D it's been really fun watching the comments. For me it was both to keep family happy and the fact that my dad is the last male in the family.. he has to sister's both who got married, my great uncle had 2 girls my great aunt changed her's... so me and my sister are the last in the line... the H2B is the last in his line otherwise he would have been happy (:D) to take mine... so we compromised and are having both.

You could always double barrel and Hubby stay as he is?
My friend did this as she is an only child so she has her surname then hubby's whereas he just stayed with his on its own

I have a similar problem as my surname (Jaffe) is really unique. I got my doctorate last year and my h2b is doing his now. If I change my name, then I will end up being the first Dr Bellham and not him as he won't have finished by the time we get married. I feel bad about that.

I like the idea to double-barell your names, it sounds really nice.

I work for a lot of doctors sorting there tax affairs, and it's surprisingly common for married lady doctors to continue to use their maiden name for work, and married name for everything else, and think it is the same for a lot of professionals, if that helps xx

I'm lucky that its only going to be my bachelors with my maiden name, which i dont think is such a major problem, but I see why it could be a problem if you have higher professional qualifications! xxx

I don't like my last name or his so I'm not going to have one.
I'm going to be like maddona or rihanna. Lol.

X

i'm looking forward to taking my h2b's surname but i will miss my maiden name! it's very very unique (i even got asked once if i'd made it up?!?) and i'm the last in the line so the name will die out with my dad (for our family line anyway) which does make me sad :( but i would feel weird being married with a different surname! I might do what Khloe Kardashian did and change my middle name to my maiden name just so it's still with me x

sorry lala, thought my new threat was quite different to this one because it was about costs of new documents rather than if i should change my name. Got my answer now anyway x