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Tag: how to change my name online

  • The Ultimate List of of the Most Expensive Wedding Dresses

    The Ultimate List of of the Most Expensive Wedding Dresses

    Ladies, let’s admit it, the best thing about being a bride is heading to every David’s Bridal in your town and trying on dresses waaaaay out of your budget. I mean, it’s all fun in the end, and it’s an experience some of us only experience once in a lifetime.

    So how much did you end up paying for that white gown of glory? A grand? Two? Hell, maybe it exceeded the threshold of ten grand?

    Maybe you did what I did and googled “David Bridal Discount Dresses” and bought a Vera Wang wedding dress that cost $300 instead of three thousand. Hey, I was looking to save as much as I could and had to be clever about my spending.

    Side note: I looked auh-mazing.

    The list of expensive wedding dresses is a tough one, but I eventually found a few jaw-dropping ones that will have you craving another wedding!

    Just kidding, at this point, I just crave some sleep.  

    1. Angela Yueng

    The first time I’ve heard of this Chinese actress/singer/model (sheesh), it was about how she’s tied the knot with her boyfriend and her $31 million wedding. She wore a custom made Dior gown that took nearly five months to create! According to Forbes, the dress was  “Crafted out of 115 feet of ivory satin organza and 165 feet of tulle, the intricate piece features a 10-foot-long train, and nearly a hundred hand-cut rose bouquets made of Chantilly Lace”.

    Xinhua Press

    Now, the price of the dress was actually never disclosed, which leaves one to wonder: Out of that $31 million, how much did that dress really cost?

    These are the things that keep me up at night.

    2. Kate Middleton

    You better believe a royal wedding is going to make this list. I am utterly in love with Kate Middleton. Her incredible sense of style, her modest looks, her role in several charities, and obviously, that smile. When she wore an Alexander Mcqueen on her wedding, I was in tears. The lace of the dress was crafted at the Royal School of Needlework. I know that sounds fake, but it’s the UK,  so I promise it’s a real thing.

    Kirsty Wigglesworth

    The dress was long sleeve, hand embroidered with flowers on both the bodice and hips and Kate’s train was over eight feet long. The dress reportedly hit a six-figure price and cost $434,000.

    3. Mariah Carey

    ‘Cause when you love someone, you just don’t treat them bad, you messed up all we had, probably thinking I’m coming back.

    See more: Mariah Carey Burns Wedding Dress

    Those are the lyrics of Mariah Carey’s “I Don’t,” where in her music video, she burned her $335,000 Valentino wedding dress to ashes. The singer was engaged to billionaire James Packer at the time, but the two broke off their engagement before we got to see Mimi flaunt her stuff in Bora Bora (planned wedding destination).  You see, ladies, we can all learn a little something here. Next time your man pisses you off…you know what to do.

    4. Diana Spencer

    Really? Another royal?

    Yes, you guys, these guys are flushed with cash, so they’re at the top of most lists.

    Shutterstock

    Lady Diana Spencer wed Prince Charles in 1981 and wore a dress so beautiful that it is still talked about till this day. The dress was embroidered with ivory silk taffeta and antique lace, with a 25-foot train and valued at $115,000. Elizabeth Manuel and her husband created it at the time. Lady Diana herself worked with the designers to ensure that the dress was kept modest and up to expectations.

    5. Victoria Adams

    Formerly known as Victoria Beckham, a world renowned style icon. Now, if you want a reminder of what the nineties were like, then Victoria and David Beckham’s wedding is the perfect visual. The Spice Girl and former England football captain wed in 1999 in a castle in Clonsilla. That’s what happens when you have friends in high places, people.

    Pinterest

    And you’re a famous football player with a successful artist for a partner.

    Regarding Victoria’s dress, she wore a Vera Wang with a 20-foot train that was estimated to have cost $100,000.

    6. Kleinfeld

    You might have heard or seen the name Kleinfeld in movies, magazines, and tv shows including the popular TLC show “Say Yes to the Dress.”

    Fun fact: Kleinfeld wasn’t always a bridal retailer. It started as a fur salon in 1941, until the Kleinfeld realized there was a demand for wedding dresses in NYC. Kleinfeld is known for accommodating to every bride’s request and spending several hours putting in work (and love) into every dress.

    Kleinfeld

    Although their prices vary, the most expensive dress that left Kleinfeld’s doors was custom made Pnina Tornai and cost the bride $80,000.

  • The Importance of Sharing a Surname with Your Kids: What to Consider

    The Importance of Sharing a Surname with Your Kids: What to Consider

    The Importance of Sharing a Surname with Your Kids: What to Consider

    In today’s evolving landscape, many people are thoughtfully deciding to keep their maiden name after marriage. The reasons are diverse and deeply personal, often stemming from a desire to maintain independence, preserve a professional identity, or simply avoid the societal pressure to change. Some feel a strong connection to their birth name, seeing it as a vital part of their identity that they wish to preserve.

    But as families grow and children enter the picture, a new question often arises: Will your children carry your last name, your partner’s, or a combination of both? While the decision about surnames is entirely personal, it’s widely recognized that having a different last name from your children can present unique considerations and, at times, unexpected challenges.

    It’s widely known that having a different surname from your children will produce a few problems. The most prominent one (which is actually not that big of a problem) would always be correcting people’s assumptions about you. Most people will assume you’re divorced, considering that your child has a different name than yours.

    Everyday Perceptions and Identity

    Perhaps the most common experience is the frequent need to clarify assumptions. When your child has a different surname, people may often presume you are divorced or not the biological parent. While this isn’t a “major problem” in the grand scheme, consistently correcting these assumptions can become tiring over time. As children grow older, they become more observant. They might notice that their surname doesn’t match yours, leading to questions about family identity. While many parents are comfortable addressing these inquiries, it’s a conversation worth being prepared for.

    Considerations for Travel and Official Situations

    Beyond daily interactions, more significant issues can arise, particularly when traveling internationally or dealing with official documentation. Consider the experience of Hannah Marshall, who was stopped by border control because her daughter did not share her last name. She was suspected of attempting to abduct the child. This highlights a serious concern: authorities are highly vigilant about child trafficking and abduction.

    Due to these safeguards, if you’re traveling with children who have a different surname from yours, you may be asked to provide additional legal documents. This could include:

    • The child’s birth certificate (listing both parents).
    • A consent letter from the other parent (if they are not traveling with you).
    • Your marriage certificate or divorce decree, depending on the situation.

    UK Home Office clarified this procedure is in place to safeguard children, but it can lead to significant delays and stress if you’re unprepared.

    Administrative Hurdles: School, Medical, and Legal Forms

    The surname difference can also introduce minor administrative complexities in various aspects of your daily life:

    • School Applications and Emergency Contacts: When enrolling children in school or filling out emergency contact forms, a name discrepancy might prompt extra questions or require additional proof of your parental relationship. In an emergency, schools are more likely to verify identity with a matching surname, potentially causing slight delays.
    • Doctor’s Visits and Medical Consent: At a doctor’s office, you might face additional scrutiny when providing medical consent or accessing records if your last name doesn’t match your child’s. Having readily available identification that links you to your child (like a birth certificate) is crucial.
    • Parental Consent for Minors: For situations requiring parental permission, such as a teenager applying for a learner’s permit at the DMV or seeking job employment, you may need to provide robust documentation to prove your legal relationship. While these issues are generally resolvable, they can become roadblocks without proper preparation.

    These scenarios, while often manageable, underscore the importance of understanding potential complications and ensuring you have all necessary supporting documentation readily available.

    Making Your Informed Decision

    Ultimately, the choice of surname for both parents and children is a deeply personal one. There’s no universal “right” answer, and families are increasingly embracing diverse naming conventions. However, being aware of the potential practical implications—from clarifying assumptions to navigating border control—can help you make an informed decision that works best for your family.

    Whatever path you choose, remember that HitchSwitch is here to simplify your name change needs. Whether you’re considering adopting your partner’s surname, creating a new hyphenated name, or ensuring consistency with your children’s last name, our service provides the customized forms and step-by-step instructions to make the process as seamless as possible.

    Ready to simplify your name change journey? Let HitchSwitch take the stress out of updating your identity, ensuring all your documents reflect your chosen surname with ease.

  • How to decide if you should change your name?

    How to decide if you should change your name?

    How to decide if you should change your name?

    Changing one’s name is no easy task, nor is it something you decide to do overnight. A person’s name is their brand and identity. It’s how people know us; it’s how they associate things with us. Like if someone mentions your name, others might associate you with your famous chicken pot pie or even something horrible, like being a total asshole. Hey, it could be something you’re proud of, who knows?

    Like I said, not easy.

    via GIPHY

    Now, what reasons are there for one to change their name? If you’re like me, you always thought it was just a marriage thing. When you dig a little deeper, you find out some people change their name just because they don’t like them. Other reasons include divorce, combining surnames, religious reasons, or want a less (or more) ethnic name.

    If you’re on the brink of changing your name, but are hesitant and don’t know what steps to take, here’s what you need to know before making a life-changing decision.

    No Fancy Work, All You

    That’s right, all you. Even though changing a name is a long process, it is also pretty straightforward. You don’t need to hire an attorney or worry about it being too complicated. If the name change is not marriage related, the process is relatively simple depending on where you reside.  

    You need to gather up any paperwork with your current name on it (social security, ID, driver license, etc.) and prepare it in case a judge asks to see it. Then you complete a petition for Change of Name where you will provide your current name, SSN, and reasons for changing your name. After the paperwork is filled out, you pay a filing fee which is usually no more than $100 and are assigned a hearing. You attend the hearing, answer the honorable judge’s question, get the judge’s signature, and boom, you’ve got yourself a name change.

    via GIPHY

    It’ll Cost You a Couple Hundos

    Most worthwhile things do, I guess. Although price varies from state to state, the big chunk of your payment will be from obtaining a court order and publishing it in a newspaper (more on that later). Documentation fees also vary from state to state, so the best thing you can do is check the website for your county courthouse and see how much each document will cost you (usually between $20-$25). When you get the ok to change your name from the court, you will have to pay up for every official copy you request that is stamped with an official seal.  

    Of course, there are always companies who simplify the name change process by providing you with all the applications you need from your state for an incredible price. They also offer excellent customer service and are with you every step of the way until you are delighted with your new name.

    It’s us. We’re that company, and our goal is to make the name change process as effortless and painless as possible. We’re here for you!

    via GIPHY

    There Cannot Be Two Ryan Goslings

    Can you imagine, though? I personally feel like it would make the world a better place. According to Insider, there are a few exceptions when it comes to the name change, and here they are:

    • Celebrity name (intentionally misleading)
    • No punctuations or numerals
    • Nothing racial/offensive
    • If you have committed a crime or are in debt

    Hello World, This Is The New Me

    This is where the other big chunk of your money will go to because the majority of states require you to publish your name change in the newspaper! Yes, you will have to pay a publisher to post that you have officially changed your name under a category named “legal notices.”

    And if we’re being brutally honest here, that shit’s expensive. Of course, all newspaper prices differ, and if you’re lucky, maybe your judge will let you pick where you would like to post your announcement.

    via GIPHY

    Slow Your Roll, This Might Take a While

    A wise man once told me, “Seriously, can you chill the f–k out?”

    Kidding, I say that like a hundred times a day to myself. The thing is that this will take a while. Like “longer than waiting for your number to be called at the DMV” while. I know what you’re thinking, but again, if you are not up to complete the process, HitchSwitch will do all the work for you! No lines, no waiting, no worrying, and no more headaches.

    via GIPHY

    If you’re having a hard time deciding, I don’t blame you! A name is like a valuable you own and you can’t imagine yourself without it! But with every end, comes a new beginning. So who knows, maybe a new name will lead to a new and better life?

    Cheers to your new name!