Married surname ideas: double-barrelled and blended names

There is no right answer. You do not have to change your name when you marry. Many couples keep their own, some take theirs, and others double-barrel either way. A few even blend a new one. Think about how it sounds, how easy it is to spell and what feels right for both of you.

• Keep yours if you like your name and want no changes.
• Take theirs if you both prefer one shared name.
• Double-barrel either way if you both want to keep yours.
• Blend a new one if you want something fresh and shared.

Decide before you print invitations and order stationery. Your name goes on save-the-dates, wedding cards, table plan boards and order of service booklets. It also appears on the marriage schedule you sign on the day, so check the spelling with your registrar or celebrant.

If you are changing your name after the wedding, your marriage certificate is the usual proof for passports, banks and employers. There is no deadline, but deciding early saves reprints and avoids confusion for guests.

Say your full name out loud with your new surname. Does it flow? Try it on a mock invitation card in the tool to see how it looks.

• Check how it looks with your first and middle names.
• Avoid awkward capital letters or confusing hyphens.
• Ask a friend to read it without seeing it written first.
• Remember you can use different names in different places if you wish.