Sooo the process of my name change is done...I think.  The amount of paperwork they have you do to change your name is kind of ridiculous.  I just remember doing it and thinking the entire time this is some sick joke, right?  I mean really, why don't the men have to do this?  Let's be honest- it is the women who do most of the wedding planning, so when the wedding was over I was able to breathe a sigh of relief thinking, wow my life will not be ever consumed with running errands and doing putzy things.  Oh wait, then I had to go sit at the DMV all afternoon.  Or run for the third time in a month to the courthouse to pick up copies of our marriage license.  Or spend an afternoon in the social security office to get a new social security card.  Although I think my personal favorite was dealing with the insurance companies while trying to get on my husbands insurance plan.  I had asked Murphy, if you have a normal job how do you do this stuff?  Luckily I have the luxury of having my afternoons off, which meant I didn't have an issue dealing with the government offices being closed, but seriously if you work a 9-5 job, how do you accomplish this without having to take a vacation day???  Next step- banking.  The emails asking if we have cashed the wedding checks have begun to pile up.  Something people don't seem to remember is you can't cash these checks until the name change is complete considering they are made out to you in your new name.  Aaaand since my husband is one of these people who works a normal hour job, being able to head to the bank together within its hours of business is a task all on its own.  So new brides word to the wise.  Open a bank account together before the wedding.  So you can send one of you to cash the checks!  Oh yeah, and guests- I know the nostalgia of writing out a check to the bride in her new name is super fun and cute (and I loved seeing it) but if you would like it cashed at a decent time, write the check to the groom, or in the brides maiden name.  Just a few words of advice :)