Hitchswitch-Blog

Tag: Name Change

  • Five Things to Remind Your Spouse

    Five Things to Remind Your Spouse

    Every. Single. Day.

    Women. We love to be appreciated. It’s an ancient fact, really, and I’m pretty sure there’s some hardcore evidence to back up that statement. While it’s always nice to be complemented by random strangers and family members, there’s always that one person (looking at you, partner) whose opinion matters the most. We may not always hear it from them so sometimes you have to remind them why they’re so lucky to have you. It’s called self-appreciation, baby.

    1. You can laugh all you want at the choices I make…as long as you remember you’re one of them!

    I don’t know about the rest of you, but my husband likes to believe he’s Alexander McQueen when it comes to my choice of wardrobe. His sense of fashion heightens as soon as I put on a new piece of clothing. And when I say heightens, I do mean he points, snorts, and laughs.

    Go ahead; laugh all you want at my yellow striped maxi dress. First of all, it was on sale. Second of all, it reminds me of bees and who doesn’t love those?? Plus, not everyone looks this wondrous in yellow so if anything, you should be thankful, buddy!

    Don’t get me started about when I decide to try out a new recipe. My husband saw my cookbook open on “Beef Wellington” once and his exact words were, “Isn’t that dish out of your league?”

    via GIPHY

    A dish is out of my league. As if we share the same physical attractiveness.  

    The love of my life, everyone, please give him a hand.

    Solution: The most mature thing you can do is remind him that you’re out of his league and if you can settle for him, you can sure as hell make Beef Wellington!

    2. I know I’m a pain in the ass, but look at it this way: I’m the only person who puts up with the farting, burping, and 2 AM conspiracy theories…

    You’re bloated, you got a tummy ache, or you simply have gas. Whatever reason, it’s not like I’m going to kick you out of the bedroom because of a normal bodily function. My love for you exceeds those reasons.

    But even though it might not mean a lot to you, you farting every ten seconds and me putting up with it is undeniably courageous of me. In sickness and in health, we both said that, so here I am accepting you in sickness.

    Now, you can’t sleep, and I don’t blame you, but then you get to thinking about the JFK assassination, Area 51, and the Illuminati. I’m all ears but…can we just watch this rerun of Friends?

    via GIPHY

    Solution: You may not know much about the fake moon landings, but you know you love your spouse to death so smile, nod, and repeat after me: “I know, right?!”

    3. Your kids? All me. Your breakfast, lunch, and dinner? All me. Laundry? All me. Clean home? All me. Your eternal bliss and happiness? All. Me.

    Seems a little silly (and obnoxious) to mention all of the above, but come on. You come home from a long day at work, and you’re greeted by one or two (three?) little rascals who have been waiting all day to show you their drawing of Barney the Dinosaur. Yeah, those sometimes angels came out of me so huzzah! The place is clean and sparkling, which I admit is rare, but look, I even made you your favorite foods!

    Or at least I think it’s your favorite foods; you could be lying to prevent hurting my feelings…

    via GIPHY

    After dinner, we clean up, wash up, put the kids to sleep, and you can cuddle right next to me and tell me all about your day.

    That is until one of the kids wake up…

    Solution: Send the kids to grandma for a sleepover. I know that doesn’t have anything to do with your spouse, but just do it.

    4. You will not find someone as brutally honest as me so yes, you’ve gained “some” weight and no, you’re not imagining it, sweetie. You’re officially going bald.

    The best thing about marriage is no matter how cruel you may sound; your partner will always know you have their best intentions at heart. With that said, you can always come to me for anything, and I do mean anything. You can count on me to still have your back no matter what because anything I have to say will be said straight to your face.

    Hey, it’s all love in the end.

    Solution: Always end criticism with a positive note and tone. I found ending everything with “-but you’re still my number one guy” usually does the trick.

    5. You can search the world inch by bloomin’ inch and you will never ever- I repeat EVER- find someone that will love you as much as I do.

    Pretty self-explanatory but I would stress this one. I’m always going to be your best friend. I’ll watch over you as a mother would, I’ll take care of you like as a wife should, and I will cherish you as long as you keep reminding me how I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to you.

    via GIPHY

    Then again, that’s not really up for debate.

    Solution: Start every morning and end every night with loving words and always make your spouse feel like the Superman to your Superwoman.

     

  • Taylor & Erik

    Taylor & Erik

    How did you meet?

    Erik and I met in Junior High School.. Seems like forever ago! We were introduced by some mutual friends and began dating soon after that!  I was the Chatty Cathy one and he was the quiet one! Opposites attract right!?

    First or favorite date?

    My favorite date would be all of them! We are a pretty low key couple.. So any dinner and movie or double date night at a brewery or sports games are usually my most memorable and favorites! Because.. Who doesn’t love food and beer!?

    How did he propose?

    Erik proposed in Crosslake, MN on the dock in front of our favorite spot and lake! Family and friends were there to celebrate with us that day and through the following week. It was the best!… besides I had PJs on and slim to no makeup!!! LOL!

    When did you know they were the one?

    I think I knew Erik was the one in high school- it just felt easy and right!

    Fun fact about the two of you?

    Fun fact.. We dated for 11 years before we got married! Nothing like knowing exactly what you’re getting yourself into 🙂 hahaha!

    Most difficult part of wedding planning process?

    Most difficult part was definitely all the little things.. My checklist the last 3 weeks before the wedding was two pages long.. So, maybe I was a little bit behind!! 😉

    What’s your favorite memory from wedding day?

    My favorite memory of the day was seconds after Erik and I read our vows to each other I looked out to the audience and saw ALL of our favorite people in ONE place to celebrate us. It was the best feeling.. And also taking my shoes off to dance and party! Haha!

    How did HitchSwitch make your post-wedding name change process easier?

    I came across HitchSwitch on the Knot website and was sold from the moment I read “Feeling overwhelmed?.. Skip steps 2 through 5 and let us help!” I then clicked on the website and chose my package.. A week later all my pre-filled out paperwork to submit to Social Security, Passport, DMV, home billing companies, credit card companies, etc. was sent to me. I started with social security and from there on it has been a lifesaver. I really appreciate the concept of it and all the help from the HitchSwitch staff! Many of us just married gals have no idea where to start.. And this took the worry and time out of the equation.

     

  • Holiday Activities That are a Must

    Holiday Activities That are a Must

    Holidays are expensive. Therefore, they can absolutely suck sometimes.

    Hey, I’m one of the broke and humble ones. I still got holiday shopping to do; I’m hosting this year’s Christmas dinner, I haven’t gotten a tree or decorations, and my list goes on and on…and on. While the hectic atmosphere that comes with the holidays makes you wonder why we have them in the first place, there are some things that you know are just meant for this time of year.

    Best part? Most of these activities won’t cost you a dime.

    Worst Part? Your kids or loved ones might get on your last nerve and cause that annual holiday nervous breakdown.

    via GIPHY

    Here are some activities that are family friendly and hopefully won’t break the bank!

    Gingerbread Houses

    Do you know the muffin man? The one who lives on Drury lane?

    Fun fact: I did not know gingerbread houses were edible till my junior year of high school.

    Growing up, my family wasn’t big on sweets during the holidays. We ate our dinner, drank tea with cardamom infused biscuits, and moved on with life.

    Yeah, yeah, I know, it was traumatizing.

     

    via GIPHY

    I had my first gingerbread house when I was working at a daycare center in college. I’ve learned that making it from scratch may be a process, but oh, was it worth it. Everyone has a role when it comes to building a gingerbread house, and I do mean everyone. We’ve got frosting and candies and milk and of course the main man, the gingerbread man.

    Kids love it as everything is hands-on and hey, they’re building a mini house for Gingy. What’s more Christmas-y than that? Just don’t forget the gumdrop buttons.

    Homemade Ornaments

    Want to make these holiday memories last forever? Build your own ornaments. There are several ideas for decorations. They may require to pull out your arts and crafts drawer, but I guarantee you, that is the best part. At the end of the day, you’ll have them hanging on that tree, and you could not be more proud of your creation.

    Cookies, Cookies, Cookies!

    Pick a cookie, folks, any cookie. We’ve got iced sugar cookies, snickerdoodle, chocolate chip blondies, mudslide cookies, gingerbread cookies, and over a hundred more.

    I make chocolate chip cookies with salted pecans in my house weekly. It’s a favorite among the hubby and my one-year-old. Holiday cookies are a whole other story, though. Even though we have a drawer full of cookie cutters, I always need more. Before you judge me, check yourself because I know I’m not alone in this.

     

    via GIPHY

    They are my weakness. My Achilles heel, if you will.

    But ’tis the season, amirite? If by the end of December, I have more than one hundred dollars in my bank account, then was it truly Christmas??

    Snow Angels Turn to Snow Fights

    Damn you, California. Your beautiful sandy, sunny beaches have made me intolerable to the cold. Growing up in Southern California, I witnessed snow about…zero times per year. If we wanted to see snow, we’d turn on the Discovery channel and hope they were doing some documentary about the polar expedition.

    When my folks took us to Big Bear Lake for the first time, we thought it’d be fun to have a snow fight.

    Worst. Idea. Ever.

    Spoiler alert: snow is not soft like in the movies. It is solid. And tough. And hurts.  One thing’s for sure though, being surrounded by mountains of snow during the holidays sure makes it feel a lot like Christmas.

    Some More S’mores

    S’mores are not only a campfire favorite, but a holiday must as well! Gather up your friends, family, and all your loved ones. If you don’t have a fireplace, you can always use your stove to make s’mores. Here are a few recipes that will have your family begging for more.

     

    via GIPHY

    The list of must-do activities for the holidays is endless. There’s Christmas tree shopping, decorating the house, carolling, holiday lights tour, and even movie nights that capture the true meaning of the holidays. No matter what you choose to do, make sure you don’t get caught up in the hectic atmosphere and always remember what the holidays are all about: being surrounded by family and friends and being grateful for all you have.

     

  • Kaitlyn & Ahmed

    Kaitlyn & Ahmed

    How did you meet?

    On New Years Eve 2015 at my sister’s house. After a couple of drinks and chatting about how our grandmas went to the same school and got married in the same church (were both West Seattle natives) he got the nerve to ask me out on a date. I told him that if he remembers asking me out tomorrow that I would. Well…it only took some Instagram stalking and post liking on my end and 3 months later for us to finally go on that first date.

    First or favorite date?

    My favorite date was our 4th or 5th one. He took me to a Cuban restaurant in North Seattle called Mojitos. On the way back from that date he played the song Love by Musiq Soul Child and as crazy as this makes me sound….I knew right then and there he was the one and I was falling in love. I may have also thought he was subtly trying to tell me something by the song choice….Love…I mean come on what girl wouldn’t? Well maybe it’s just me but Mojitos became a special place…its where he proposed and who we had cater our wedding, the song he played that night, Love is the song we had our first dance too at our wedding (he didn’t know I picked that song until the day of the wedding when it began playing during our dance)

    How did he propose?

    After visiting a ring shop I accidentally left a ring I would wear there. So one day he said let’s go pick up your ring and grab lunch at Mojitos. Thinking it was like any other day we stopped and had lunch at Mojitos. We sat at the same table we had our favorite date (see above) which later I found out was not intentional. The entire room was filled with people and as the place began to empty he began acting super weird. I think I even got mad at him thinking he was getting ready to tell me something terrible or break up with me haha. All of a sudden he began to stand and move around the table towards me. I’m thinking….this guy is pulling a prank on me (wouldn’t be the first time) but then I saw the ring box…and even then I still wasn’t convinced. Once the box opened and I saw the ring and he said “ Kaitlyn Diane will you marry me? “ I realized it was actually happening. It was a complete outer body experience and he’s knelt there holding the ring out and I snapped back to reality and said like a fool “you’re supposed to put the ring on my finger” and he responded well you haven’t said yes yet….so of course while balling my eyes out I said Yes over and over again and there you go!

    When did you know they were the one?

    For me, it was that date after Mojitos in the car listening to that song. For him, it wasn’t a specific moment he says but several moments over time and about 6 months into our relationship we took a trip to Vashon Island and its when he told me he loved me for the very first time.

    Fun fact about the two of you?

    I am 5th generation West Seattle and he is 3rd and we grew up literally down the street from each other as children and never knew!

    Most difficult part of wedding planning process?

    Cutting down the guest list and getting him to cut down his groomsmen’s list lol…he started off with 16! I was able to get him down to 11…

    What’s your favorite memory from wedding day?

    It’s nearly impossible to pick just one…the entire day was everything we could have ever dreamed of. I think seeing him for the first time during our first look was one of my favorite moments. Waiting for him to turn around to see me for the first time I was beyond excited. I was grinning from ear to ear in so much anticipation. That and seeing the entire thing come together after 16 months of planning and styling the entire thing myself.  He said his favorite moment was seeing me for the first time during our first look as well!

    How did HitchSwitch make your post-wedding name change process easier?

    Dealing with planning a wedding which was all in the middle of dealing with the disaster of having a tree fall on our home and do extensive damage was super stressful, then getting back from 2 weeks of travel the last thing you want is another stressful experience. HitchSwitch took what is one of the most stressful things and made it so simple and stress-free. Having an entire checklist that was in the order of the proper process of switching my name was the best part! Without that I know I would have forgotten something or messed something up big time. Especially being a homeowner and having student loans etc knowing I won’t forget something was such a relief.

    Vendors:

    Photographer: @AlderPhotgraphy

    Venue: @GalvanizeSea

    Styling: Me @PineandWeave

    Catering: @Mojito.Seattle

    Dress: @BHLDN

    Suit: @Nordstrom @TopMan

  • Top 5 Places To See This Holiday Season

    Top 5 Places To See This Holiday Season

    Whether you’re planning on staying home for the holidays or wanting to escape to some exotic location, everything around us is a constant reminder that a new year is upon us. With the streets being decorated and everyone carrying a red cup filled with something cinnamon or pumpkin infused. Everyone is completely engrossed in preparing for the holidays or getting ready to book with an airline that’s offering a great deal.

    Whether you choose a warm Christmas, a cold Christmas, or even no Christmas, here are the places you need to see this holiday season.

    via GIPHY

    Nuremberg, Germany

    What do CNN, Business Insider, and Forbes all have in common? They all agree that Nuremberg will not only warm your heart but create some of the best memories of your life. Known as Germany’s “Christmas City,” Nuremberg is infamous for its Christmas market, AKA Christkindlesmarkt (try saying that three times), that sets its stalls right in the middle of town.

    The people of this fantastic town come together and sell homemade ornaments, wooden figures, sweet gingerbread, and the delicious aroma of food and spices fill the night air. Holiday music, twinkling lights, and a possible snowfall that will make you feel like you’re in a fairy winter wonderland.

    New York, New York

    Does anyone else read “New York, New York” and immediately start singing the classic Frank Sinatra song?

    No? Is it just me?

    I find it so strange when I hear that people are trying to get out of the city when the holidays are just right around the corner. It’s the most wonderful time of the year after all and what’s more wonderful than Christmas in New York?

    via GIPHY

    The Big Apple is filled with incredible historical landmarks that all get a makeover for the holidays. New York is known for its tree lighting ceremonies,  Triumph Hotels Holiday Window Walking Tour, botanical gardens, ice skating at Bryant Park, Central Park, and so much more.

    Many places around the world get a makeover for the holidays, but New York is one of those places that seems to capture the soul of Christmas.

    Vienna, Austria

    Pack up your gloves and fur boots because once you know that magic that is Vienna, you will want to add it to your bucket list of places to see. Vienna is quickly growing to be one of the most popular destinations for tourists in the holidays. Vienna holds their Christmas Market from mid-November till New Years.

    The market is held in Schonbrunn Palace and is one of the attractions you cannot miss.

    If you get sick of the cold, you can always go for a good craft beer as Vienna is known for its famous breweries. If beer’s not your thing, you can always visit the Imperial Butterfly House.

    Sounds fancy, right?

    All you gotta do is sit there, watch the butterflies, and enjoy your natural surroundings.

    Tromso, Norway

    Two words. Northern Lights.

    I feel like people from Norway have Norway on their list of places to see. There’s one thing you need to know about Norwegians, and that is that they love their Christmas holiday. On November 26th, the sun sets in Norway, and you will not see it again until January 21st.

    via GIPHY

    Dead. Serious.

    This will not only give the city’s holiday makeover a chance to shine because it will be complete darkness (known as polar night).

    This sets the stage for the flickers of blue, pink, orange, and yellow light that will flicker across the night sky. It’s like the sunset but in a pitch black sky. The Northern Lights are one of Mother Nature’s most miraculous sights, and if you’re lucky, you might see them.

    Other than all the Christmas markets and mouthwatering food that will be held at the town’s square, there will also be a giant Christmas tree that will light up the city and people’s mood!

    There will be dancing, singing, and let’s face it, lots of drinking.

    Aruba

    Aruba?? Why’s it even on this list?

    Well, because unfortunately, not everyone likes the cold. Some people like sandy beaches, and warm weather, and suntan lotion. I was raised in California, so I kind of get it.

    Other than being known as one of the safest islands in the Caribbean, Aruba is also famous for its amazing sunny weather all year round. Their crystal blue waters are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

    Tripsavvy

    This little island is filled with rich culture, kind people, killer waves, and endless adventures. If that’s not enough to sell you, wait till you try their food! Because Aruba is so diverse, your taste buds will get a taste of Italy, Columbia, Dutch, and so much more.

    It’s always bikini season here! Nothing to do but tan up and live it up.

     

  • Jessica & Peter

    Jessica & Peter

    How did you meet?

    We met at work. Peter had actually accepted a new position while living in Minnesota to move to Boston, Massachusetts. We stayed in touch as friends and finally reconnected 2 years later when Peter was home for Christmas.

    First or favorite date?

    First (P): We went to an NBA game. (Jess hates the NBA, I didn’t know that) I picked her up and we went to dinner and the game…she must’ve been alright with the date because I got a smooch at the end!

    His Favorite (P): My favorite date was that we went to New Orleans Louisiana and had a great day walking on Bourbon Street, we went to the WWII Museum and then had an awesome dinner at Emeril’s!

    Her Favorite (J): It’s hard to pick a favorite date when you’re with a guy as romantic as Peter. One of my favorites was while we were living in Cali we went up to LA to see his buddy perform at the Laugh Factory. We got VIP treatment at the show then had dinner after. I think he knew the way to my heart was through food and a good laugh. He definitely succeeded!

    How did he propose?

    (P): Woof, I should’ve known this would come up. We had a beloved dog and my plan was to cut open a tennis ball, place it in the ball, go to the park and play fetch with our dog. When the dog brought the ball back…I’d be on one knee and propose. The best laid plans don’t always work out, I was getting ready for a work trip and couldn’t find my phone…she came into the closet to try to help me look for it, as she’s digging around the tennis ball slowly rolls out of its hiding spot and falls directly into her hand. As she inquisitively stares at why a tennis ball is on the shelf of our closet she sees a cut in it, opens it and sees the ring…I dropped on one knee and we got engaged in our storage closet. What a romantic guy I am!

    When did you know they were the one?

    (P): We met in Chicago for a date, we had been meeting up off and on as we were living in different cities at the time. We walked through the city, played life-size Connect 4 and took a helicopter ride to see all of the city at once. I fell head over heels for her over a Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza!

    (J): Ditto! After that date in Chicago I knew he’d be the one I’d marry. We had always had a good connection but the connection became a lot deeper that weekend. I think we both felt it while chatting over our deep dish pizza.

    Fun fact about the two of you?

    We’ve lived in 4 different states in 3 years of being a couple (Ohio, Minnesota, California and North Carolina)

    Most difficult part of wedding planning process?

    We had Kate Deegan (http://co-me.net) …she made the process seamless. I think we were nervous that she wasn’t more nervous but everything ended up FANTASTIC!!!

    What’s your favorite memory from wedding day?

    (P): The setting in the Abbey with an open roof, all of the people that I love were there and my beautiful future wife comes walking down the aisle. When I look back on all the days of my life…this moment will be one of the most important.

    (J): Since Peter already touched on my favorite memory, I’ll go with second favorite- After dinner, in lieu of a dance, we did a pub crawl in Ennis, Ireland. All of our guests piling into the tiniest pub to have a pint with us was such a blast. My husband and Maid of Honor soulfully karaoking to Lisa Loeb’s “Stay”, a group of Irish men singing us a wedding song and pouring my husband a Guinness behind the bar in my wedding dress are memories I certainly will never forget.

    How did HitchSwitch make your post wedding name change process easier?

    I didn’t even know where to start with the name change process. I loved that they gave me everything I needed to do (in order) and had already prefilled in a ton of my info saving me time. I probably would still be a Ratke if it weren’t for HitchSwitch’s help!

     

  • Partner Moving In? Here’s What You Need To Know

    Partner Moving In? Here’s What You Need To Know

    First comes the engagement, then comes the marriage and then comes the moving in together. It’s not easy sharing your home with another person, even if that person is your significant other.

    I mean, this is your safe place. Your sanctuary!  Everything has its place, and you can’t imagine having to shuffle things around just to fit in some of your partner’s stuff. But hey, you said it: “till death do us part”. It’s going to happen sooner or later! Here’s how you can cope with it.

    Communication is key

    Here’s what to keep in mind. Needless to say, it’s pretty obvious that your taste and your partners may not exactly line up perfectly. It’s like the classic Ella Fitzgerald song, you like tomato, and they like tomahto. But hopefully, you won’t need to call the whole thing off because, in the end, this is just another step that will bring you closer to building your new life together.

    As they start moving in, try not to make any faces (as tempting as that is) at their items of choice and always keep honesty priority. Of course, you can’t point at their armchair and claim that it is “the ugliest thing” you have ever seen.

    That won’t work. Trust me.

    Eh, you live and you learn.

    Instead, express how you feel and help them understand why this piece of furniture doesn’t go with the rest of the room. You don’t want to end up with three different colored couches and a red plaid leg rest. There will be a lot more furniture, but still, the same amount of space so choose carefully.

    Speaking of choosing…

    How do you calmly and gently settle on what stays and what goes? I don’t care how big of a hoarder you or your partner are because at the end of the day, there’s going to be a lot less furniture and I’m sorry to say that some of yours will have to go! One way to figure what to keep is to both agree that you love it. For instance, you both really enjoy the coffee table from Pottery Barn, so you both decide to keep it. You can always pick a few things that are dear to you and are utterly irreplaceable. It could be a family heirloom or something you’ve had since your college days.

    And no, you can’t pick everything in the room, that’s not how it works. By both taking turns saying what stays and what goes, you’ll find out more about each other’s style and figure everything out together.

    Prepare for trouble, and make it double

    Ok, so now you got two mattresses, two (or three) couches, two tables, two coffee machines…you get the idea. In this scenario, you can always pick depending on how much space is available. The size of the item is important because now it will be serving two people. If your home is spacious, you can then check the condition and quality of the item. Is it worn out, is it new? Can it last a few more months, let alone years?

    4 hours and six arguments later

    Hey, I didn’t say this was going to go smoothly.

    At this point, you both have probably disagreed on…a lot? Yeah, a lot sounds good. You’re probably thinking one of you has to give and no way in hell it’s going to be you!

    Relax, what if I told you there’s a way where you both can be (slightly) satisfied?

    BUT HOW?

    You might not like it but here are some options:

    1. You let your partner have it their way. It’s simple; you love them so much that you’re willing to let them keep their foosball table or that weird painting of puppies they got for sale at Michaels.

    Hey, it happens, I’ve been there.

    1. The 3 Re-s. Repaint, remodel and recover. You might not like an item because of its color or how old it looks, but somewhere deep down you’d be willing to accept it if were retouched.

    Hey, another Re-.

    1. You both don’t agree, so you sell, donate, or burn it. The last one is a little too intense but I’ve seen things…

    This is your last resort because if you can’t keep your teardrop table lamp, then neither can they. Go big or go home!

    Kidding, that’s an entirely different article.

    1. Shopping! Buy something entirely new that you both agree on.

    Before the big move, you probably had the perfect vision to make your home the perfect home. Granted, you won’t say eye to eye on everything, but always remember what led you here in the first place. This is going to be your new home and your children’s first home! Memories are just waiting to be created.

    The beginning will undoubtedly be rough, but what beginning isn’t? Believe me when I say, in a few months, it won’t even matter and you’ll just be glad you’ve got the love of your life laying down right there beside you.

     

  • Grace & Matthew

    Grace & Matthew

    How did you meet?

    We met on Bumble! After chatting for about a week we decided to meet up for a first date.

    First or favorite date?

    We had our first date downtown LA at Birdies. We had fried Chicken & Donuts!

    How did he propose?

    I spent Thanksgiving 2017 with Matthew’s family in Phoenix, Arizona. He suggested that since we were so close, we should take a quick trip to Sedona. I agreed because traveling is my main jam. After exploring the town a bit he suggested that we go to Airport Mesa because he read that that was the best place in town to see the sunset from. After hunting a bit, we found a secluded bench to sit and enjoy the evening. As we sat in that beautiful place, Matthew began to recap the year we’d had together. He talked about all the amazing places we’d been, things we’d eaten, meeting each other’s family’s, and falling in love (I had no idea what was really happening yet but I was already sobbing). As Matthew said all these beautiful things to me he said “And I have no doubt that you’re the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with” and I thought to myself “Oh my God. This is happening now”. Then he got down on one knee and asked me to become his wife. How could I say anything but yes!

    Most difficult part of wedding planning process?

    Managing family and their expectations was far and away the toughest part.

    How did you decide on a wedding venue?

    We picked the first one we liked in our budget!\

    What’s your favorite memory from your wedding day?

    How do you pick 1! Matthew’s favorite moment was right after I walked down the aisle/before our vows. We didn’t do a first look so it was our first moment together that day! We were holding hands and both just so giddy! The vows were my favorite moment. We wrote our own as well as doing traditional ones so they were so personal. I was sobbing through all of them but I think it was the happiest moment of my life.

    How did HitchSwitch make your post-wedding name change process easier?

    Two things: It’s told me exactly what to do and when to do it and it’s nice having someone who I know I can go to with any questions about the process I may have. I feel like none of my friends remember how they did anything which I can only assume is because it is a horrendous, traumatic process.

  • Purchases Newlyweds Should Protect

    Purchases Newlyweds Should Protect

    As newlyweds, you and your spouse will most likely be making important financial decisions and investments, many of these for the first time. As unromantic as it may sound, finances can play a huge role in how successful and happy your marriage will be. It’s no secret that arguing over money puts a huge strain on a relationship, but understanding how to protect these big purchases can help start your marriage off on the right foot. Here are four investments that newlyweds should protect along with a few tips on how to do so.

    Your new engagement/wedding ring(s)

    An engagement ring is a special, yet expensive investment. Putting an insurance policy on your beloved symbol of love may sound unromantic, but it’s important to make sure that your ring is protected forever. While the sentiment behind your ring is priceless, jewelry insurance will allow you to replace your ring in the event that something happens to it. Keep in mind that just because you may already have a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy doesn’t mean that all of your jewelry is automatically covered, so be sure to look into insurance options shortly after the ring is purchased. If you’re not sure where to start, talk to your jeweler. Many online jewelers, including Blue Nile, not only offer an extraordinary collection of engagement rings, but also provide information on how to insure jewelry directly on their website.

    Your honeymoon

    Your honeymoon is a once-in-a-lifetime trip filled with everlasting memories with your new spouse, but it’s also a huge financial investment. It’s important to plan ahead for a big trip like a honeymoon, but more time before a trip also means more time in which something can go wrong. While travel insurance can’t stop unpredictable events from disrupting your honeymoon, it can protect your investment. Medical emergencies, lost baggage, and tropical storms are just a few occurrences that can be protected by travel insurance. While planning your honeymoon, be sure to explore travel insurance options to see what is covered and help make your planning process less stressful.

    Your HOME

    Many newlywed couples look forward to buying their first home together shortly after walking down the aisle. From finding the perfect house to picking out decor and doing renovations, there is so much that goes into making your new house feel like home. If you and your spouse are buying a house or have already made the big purchase, consider investing in a home security system. Homes without security systems are 2.7 times more likely to be targeted by burglars. This shows that the mere presence of an alarm system is enough, in most cases, to protect your home and its occupants from a break-in. On top of that, homeowners typically receive a 10-20% discount on their homeowner’s insurance by having a functioning home alarm system installed. Companies like SimpliSafe, offer easy to install wireless home security systems that allow you to keep a close eye on your home no matter where you are.

    SHARED bank account

    While this isn’t necessarily a purchase, many newlywed couples choose to combine their finances after saying “I do.” This can simplify the process of paying your bills and allows you to have a better idea of your current financial situation. For many, this is the first time sharing a bank account with another person so it’s important to talk with your partner to define your financial goals and create a plan before merging your accounts. Each partner should come prepared with a list of their accounts, debts, and a copy of his/her credit score. Make it a habit to repeat this every few months. Rather than one partner taking the lead on handling the money, both partners should know exactly what’s going on financially to stay on top of bills and paying off debt.

     

  • Sarah & Anthony

    Sarah & Anthony

    How did you meet?

    We actually were first introduced to each other back in 2006 through a mutual friend. We had run into each other throughout the years, but we were always off in different directions. Anthony then made the first move, by sending a FB message in 2015 to ask how I had been. We had met up one weekend out at a local bar, went on a date the following day and we knew it was meant to be! He claims he had a crush on me for 4 years before finally making an attempt to reach out to me, and it’s safe to say I’m SO happy he did!! 

    First or favorite date?

    I would have to say my favorite date is when we went in our first hike together followed by dinner in Old Forge, NY! It’s where we both realized our love for the outdoors/ that little town was a big thing we had in common. It was also such a laid back “date”, that it was a day of just truly being ourselves and getting to know each other!

    How did he propose?

    Grab your popcorn… this is a story… haha! When Anthony and I first got together, he was stationed in Ray Brook, NY, a tiny little town in Lake Placid where he was working as a State Trooper at the time. A month before we got engaged, he was stationed closer to home and with hopes of buying a house we both moved into my parents’ house to save money. It was Valentine’s Day, which was also our one year dating anniversary and we had the house to ourselves because my parents were staying overnight elsewhere to have their own evening together. After a very long day of work for both of us, we decided to have a relaxing night in with wine and pizza. We go to exchange gifts and I give him mine first. Next is my turn and he tells me that he didn’t have time to get anything (which is why he sent me beautiful flowers earlier in the day to work) and not worried about a gift I say that’s totally fine! We laugh, and talk and the night continues and he says “Oh, wait! I do have something for you!” He goes into the bedroom and has a 2018 NYS PBA card and on the front it says, spouse. So confused as to why he gave me the spouse card (I had no idea what was happening) I tell him that it wouldn’t work for me because I’m not your spouse! As those words leave my mouth he’s getting down on one knee!! I had absolutely NO idea it was coming and I was in shock!! It was so special, even though it was just the two of us in our pajamas, a box of pizza and half a bottle of wine deep in my parents’ kitchen… it was a beautiful moment and one I’ll never forget.

    Most difficult part of wedding planning process?

    Okay so honestly, I did everything for this wedding. From designing my own invitations to setting up the final finishing touches the morning OF the wedding… I thought of and put everything together and had a lot of people who helped bring my vision to life. No wedding planner, no venue planner or set up team, myself and my bridal party/ family DID. IT. ALL. With that being said, I can’t really place my finger on anything that was difficult. Everything fell into place and I stayed on top of everything pretty well. I’m a very laid back person who can keep a very level head and not get stressed out. Planning my wedding was actually enjoyable and very fun with just a little dash of stress! :$

    How did you decide on a wedding venue?

    In my earlier explanation on our favorite date, we LOVE Old Forge, NY. The distance from the hustle and bustle of “city life” and the serenity and stillness that the lakes and mountain air provide is something like no other place. So we were determined to find our venue there. We looked into one venue and one venue only, Adirondack Woodcraft Camps and it was love at first sight!! Even when seeing it in the wet and muddy month of November, I could still envision how beautiful it would be and it was absolutely more than beautiful. I told you everything fell right into place, our venue hunt did not take long!

    What’s your favorite memory from wedding day?

    Ahhh our wedding day. How do you pick just ONE memory?! I would have to say my favorite part of the whole day was our ceremony. Standing at the start of the aisle (which was the woods haha) with my Father at my side, and seeing the big open field, filled with sunshine and all of the people I love was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. Finally making my way down to the aisle, the look on my husband-to-be’s face absolutely melted my heart and witnessing him get emotional for the first time ever while saying his vows showed me how much love he has for me. Ugh talking about it is getting me all emotional. So in the end, my favorite part of our wedding day was our short, sweet and beautiful ceremony in the woods.

    How did HitchSwitch make your post-wedding name change process easier?

    I’m self-employed and work long days without much time to spare. Especially on business days when there is only so much time in the day to get things done!! Knowing of all the paperwork and stops I had ahead of me with the name changing process, I was looking to make it as easy as possible and HitchSwitch has done just that! I will forever recommend them to all, anyone and everyone who loves smooth transitions! Thank You HitchSwitch!