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How to Change Your Last Name After the Wedding

by Rebekah · Leave a Comment

Bridal Bouquet | How to Change Your Last Name After the Wedding

The wedding is over, which means the work is over…right? Well, not really. There are a billion thank you notes to write, gifts to be gone through (and some to be returned/exchanged), and then of course, there’s the big task of changing your last name.

There’s plenty of information already floating around on the web about how to change your last name after the wedding. But sometimes it’s hard to know where to start and the order in which to do everything. So today, I wanted to share with you *my* experience with changing my last name!

NOTE: This will differ from state to state, and possibly even from county to county. This is only my experience in Linn County, Oregon in 2019, so do your own research as needed.

# 1 Pick up your marriage license from the courthouse.

After the wedding, your officiant turns in the marriage license to the county courthouse. I had thought that we would then be getting the official stamped copy of our marriage license in the mail. But come to find out, we actually had to go pick it up at the courthouse. You want to do this within 30 days of your wedding date, otherwise you have to pay a $7.75 fee! Luckily, I slid in 5 days before the cut off. I called ahead and they had everything laid out for me, so all I had to do was walk in and pick it up.

#2 Change your last name at the DMV.

Our local DMV opens at 8am, so I got there at about 8:02, thinking I’d be one of the first people there. Well, apparently everybody else had the same idea, because there were 9 people in front of me! Thankfully, they rolled through everybody pretty quickly, and I only ended up being in there for about 25 minutes.

I had printed out the “Driver’s License/ID Card Application” online (find it linked here) and had it almost completely filled out before I came in. The only two things I hadn’t done on the form were writing my last name and signing my name, because I wasn’t sure if I was writing/signing with my maiden name or my married name. When my name was called, I asked the man behind the counter what to do. He let me know that it would be my married last name, and that from then out, I would always be writing/signing my married last name. (Eekk!! Exciting!) They needed various documents and info, which I had all paper-clipped together. I definitely recommend having everything done and ready to go as it saves time!

The things I brought were:

  • filled out Driver’s License/ID Card Application
  • our marriage license (make sure you get it back from them)
  • my drivers license
  • my passport (which they didn’t need)
  • proof of address (I used our power bill)

The man typed a few things on his computer, asked me to verify the info, and I paid the $26 fee. (I also had my picture taken, which I was sad about because I had my picture taken last year and I really liked that one.) Then I received my temporary card, and I was out of there!

# 3 Change your last name at the Social Security Office.

This was also a case of thinking I got there early but ending up not being early enough. The local SS office opens at 9, and I got there about 8:50…only to find a line already formed and more people arriving by the moment. (The security guard told us that early at that location is 30 minutes before they open.) We got inside, and right before we each stepped up to the kiosk where we entered our SSN and reason for being there, the guard asked us to confirm that we didn’t have any knives, guns, or pepper spray. If someone had a bag, he asked to do a routine search of it, and also asked that all phones were put on silent or turned off.

The number two people ahead of me had been called when the guard said that anyone applying for a SS card or changing their name needed to fill out a form sitting on the counter. I definitely felt a little panicky as I quickly filled the form out! I had it almost completely done when my number was called.

NOTE: I got home and found that the county clerk had actually given us a copy of this form in the packet we got with our marriage license. SO, I could’ve filled that copy out before I got there, or I could’ve also printed the form off from the Social Security site (find it linked here). Either way, I definitely would recommend printing and completing that form prior to arriving at the office.

Once I was at the window, the lady took our marriage license and the application form, typed some info into the computer, asked me to verbally confirm the information, and then I was on my way! I had brought my passport and the power bill and everything in with me, but all she needed was the license and application. I think I spent about 30 minutes total in there. All in all, the Social Security office was a lot scarier looking/feeling/sounding than it actually was.

#4 Change your last name everywhere else.

After the DMV and SS office, it doesn’t really matter what order you go in to change your name. I went to my bank next, simply because it was right down the road, and I wanted to get it done. Now I get to start in on everything else! Here are a few of the places I will be changing my name. But just remember, you may have places you need to change your name at that I am not listing here. (Such as your employer…I don’t have to do that since I’m self-employed!):

  • Passport
  • Insurance company
  • Landlord and utility companies
  • Car Title/Registration
  • Investment account
  • Post Office for address change
  • Voter Registration
  • Subscriptions
  • And the one I’m most excited about…adding me to my husband’s Costco account and getting my own Costco card!!

So, there you have it! My experience with changing my last name, and the few things I would’ve done differently. If this is helpful to you at all, let me know in the comment section below…I’d love to hear from you!


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One of the things I encourage all my brides to do, One of the things I encourage all my brides to do, is to have allll their details gathered in a box for me when I arrive the morning of their wedding! 

That way, I can grab the box & the dress and jump straight into shooting the details, instead of having to spend time gathering everything spread around the getting ready area.

If you need a checklist of what to have gathered, I’ve got you covered! (And make sure to save this post for future reference!)

- dress
- veil / hair pieces
- rings (all three)
- shoes
- bouquet / boutonniere
- jewelry (earrings, bracelet, necklace)
- perfume
- invitation suite
- borrowed & blue
- groom details (shoes, tie, watch, etc.)
Sam & Katie met in high school, but didn’t reall Sam & Katie met in high school, but didn’t really connect until college.

They went on a few dates, and then one October day, Sam asked Katie to be his girlfriend.

Two and a half years later, they were on a road trip to see family in Arizona. Katie had just found out she failed a chemistry class and was feeling sick from too many brownies & snacks in the car…in her own words, she was in a horrible mood.

But Sam parked the car overlooking Hoover Dam anyway, and pulled a reluctant Katie out to watch the sunset.

He started telling her about their life together and how much he loved her. But it didn’t dawn on Katie that he was actually proposing till he got down on one knee! She was so happy and excited she basically jumped on him.

In that moment, nothing else mattered.

I met Sam & Katie when they inquired & booked me as their wedding photographer. They got married January 2019, and since then, Katie has become one of my very closest and dearest of friends.

Being able to capture these sweet & silly & romantic photos for them last weekend was so special. Watching them interact now vs. remembering how they were on their wedding day four plus years ago, it’s obvious how their love has grown and strengthened over time.

Sam & Katie, thank you for allowing me to tell your love story through photographs over the years. I love you guys and I love your marriage and I’m just so gosh darn thankful for you both. 🫶🏻
3 TIPS FOR YOUR GETTING READY AREA 💍💄 (Make 3 TIPS FOR YOUR GETTING READY AREA 💍💄

(Make sure to save this post for the future!!)

1️⃣ The more windows, the better! By having windows in the bridal prep area, I am able to create beautiful portraits with soft light. (And this applies to your groom’s getting ready area as well. If his getting ready area is dark & dingy, it will be hard to capture beautiful images that match yours.)

2️⃣ Do everything you can to avoid crazy colors and patterns! Orange walls or wildly patterned carpets will be a huge distraction in your photos. Not to mention, they can throw color casts and negatively affect your skin tone on photos!

3️⃣ Encourage your bridesmaids to tidy up as they go along. This will help the getting ready photos to look clean and classic!

Tap that “follow” button if you want to see more tips like this one! 🫶🏻
Here’s what you’ll get if you hire me…

➡️ someone who will give you instruction & help you pose so that you’re not left standing there awkwardly wondering what to do with your hands. 
➡️ someone who will laugh with you and squeal a little when the light gets ✨really✨ good.
➡️ someone who will make sure your dress is perfectly fluffed and readjust your veil whenever it’s needed. 
➡️ someone who will keep your bridal party in line (you know the boys sometimes need a metaphorical slap to the back of the head) but will also make jokes and laugh with them!
➡️ someone who will show up and make magic, no matter the weather.
➡️ someone who will be genuinely herself while taking incredible photos of your real life love story. 

If that sounds like someone you’d want to work with, follow that link in my bio & fill out my inquiry form! 🫶🏻

#pdxweddingphotographer #pdxweddings #vancouverweddingphotographer #salemweddingphotographer #salemwedding #eugeneweddingphotographer
Creating timeless & romantic images for my clients Creating timeless & romantic images for my clients is something that I will never get tired of. ✨

But setting up the shot and telling my camera what to do is only part of it… the photos then need to be edited. 📸 

Which is where my incredible private editor comes in! 👩🏼‍💻

Alisa has been with me for over 3.5 years now, and knows *exactly* what I want my final images to look like. 🥹

The goal is to create images that are classic and timeless, while leaning slightly into the light & airy style. We prioritize beautiful and accurate skin tones, and embrace color a little more than a lot of light & airy photographers do. 🫶🏻

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Dreamy & romantic & timeless images like the one in this reel. 😍

Tap the 🤍 if you want to see more before & afters!

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Currently dreaming of glowy sunsets, wildflowers, Currently dreaming of glowy sunsets, wildflowers, and beautiful people in front of my camera. ✨

Which is why I’m offering $100 off any sessions booked & scheduled for before June 1st!! 🥳

I know it’s raining right now, but we’ll have plenty of beautiful days over the next couple of months, so let’s make the most of it! 🌤️

Fill out the inquiry form on my website (link in bio) and be sure to mention this spring deal. 💐
Here’s the deal. If your HMUA runs behind sched Here’s the deal.

If your HMUA runs behind schedule, it will throw off your ENTIRE day.

I’m not saying that to scare you, but rather to prepare you!

If you’ve taken my past advice and created a wedding day timeline (scroll a few reels back for a FREE template!) then you know exactly what needs to be happening at what time. And you’ve also added in a little bit of buffer time for things like bathroom breaks, snack breaks, and lipstick re-application breaks.

BUT.

If your HMUA runs over by 15, 20, 30…45 minutes? This will severally impact the rest of your day.

Don’t get me wrong, I can still make magic happen in a short amount of time.

But there will be less magic made, which means less photos in your final gallery. And because we will be moving very quickly & efficiently, there won’t be time to be as creative as any of us might want to be.

My advice?

Time your hair & makeup trial runs. Then add some time on. So, maybe your trail runs each took 45 minutes. Plan for at LEAST an hour on the timeline for each one, and then throw in some extra buffer time just to be even safer!

This will help ensure that everything runs smoothly on your wedding day.

Make sure to save this reel for future reference, and share with anyone you know who is planning a wedding!

#salemweddingphotographer #pdxweddingphotographer #portlandweddingphotographer #bendweddingphotographer #spokaneweddingphotographer
One of the things I LOVE doing is location scoutin One of the things I LOVE doing is location scouting. 🏔️

Which is honestly no surprise to those of you who know me. 😉

Going for an adventure and searching out new & unusually beautiful locations to bring my clients? 📸 

Um, YES PLEASE. 👏🏻 

But sometimes I don’t have the time to go for an adventure, so I “adventure” virtually. 👩🏻‍💻

A LOT of the locations I have on my top-secret location guide (that I share with my clients after they book me) were found via Google Maps while I sat at a desk job in the early years of my business. 🗺️ 

And honestly? That’s why I don’t geotag or share most of the locations I shoot at. 📍

Because I believe in putting in the work it takes to find epic locations like this one. 🌊

Controversial? Probably. But I’m okay with that. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I guarantee you will value these locations more if you have to put in the work to find them vs. if someone just hands them to you. 🙃

So, if you’re looking for more locations to shoot at, but don’t have the time to go gallivanting all over the countryside, simply open up your Google Maps and go for a virtual adventure. 🚵🏻‍♀️

You might just be surprised at how easy it is to find new & beautiful locations. 🏞️

#oregoncoastphotographer #oregoncoast #oregonexplored

Rebekah Leona Photography

Timeless and romantic wedding photography for the couple who wants photos as stunning as their love story. Located in Oregon and serving the whole Pacific Northwest.

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