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Tag: new last name

  • What No One Tells You About Changing Your Name

    What No One Tells You About Changing Your Name

    Planning a wedding leads to a mixed bag of emotions. On one hand, you’re filled with excitement, about to marry the love of your life surrounded by your friends and family. On the other hand, you’ve never been so stressed trying to balance finding invitations with cake tastings, dress fittings and a million other details.

    The last thing you want to do is spend hours filling out paperwork and on the phone informing dozens of entities about your name change. However, if you go about this process the old-fashioned way, that’s exactly what you’ll end up doing.

    Here’s what no one tells you about changing your name (and how to avoid this process altogether- *hint hint HitchSwitch):

    You Have Options

    Before you start the process, you need to decide what name you’ll take. Changing your name doesn’t necessarily mean dropping your last name and replacing it with your soon to be husbands. Although that’s pretty common, more brides are choosing alternative methods, that are better suited for their personal or professional needs.

    In most states, men and women can legally change their last name to their new spouse’s last name, hyphenate their two last names, or even create an entirely new name with a combination of both of their last names. #Trendy

    Not Just a One-Stop-Shop

    Just like when you and your friends head to a bottomless mimosa brunch, it’s important to remind yourself that this is a marathon, not a sprint. It can get pretty overwhelming with all the different paperwork and places you have to notify.

    The process itself is time-consuming and requires a lot of patience. You have to prepare to spend a good amount checking off all the boxes before completing your name change.

    You Have to Tell Everyone… We Mean Everyone

    You don’t realize how important your name is until you change it. When you do enter this process, you need to notify the Social Security Administration, the IRS and the DMV for your new paperwork and license. You will also need to inform banks, credit card companies, and utility companies. Any documentation- like your passport- will also need to be updated.

    You’ll need to get new checks, notify the post office, and update your medical records and insurance. If you have legal documents like a will or trust, you’ll want to look into changing them as well. Employers as well as friends and family members, should also be notified. *Insert deep breath here*

    What To Do About Kids…

    If you are not married yet and you’re having a child, the baby will automatically take the mother’s last name unless you as parents request otherwise. If you are travelling alone with children whose last name doesn’t match your own, you might have to provide a notarized letter saying that the child is indeed yours.

    Having a different last name than your child can make it difficult not just while travelling, but when it comes to doctor’s appointments and schooling.

    There’s Good News

    Feeling overwhelmed yet? The good news is you’ve come to the right place. At HitchSwitch, our goal is to simplify this process for you, so you can focus on more important things like bonding with your (not so warm and fuzzy) mother-in-law.

    With our help, you won’t need to worry about where to start. We take care of gathering which forms you’ll need, showing you how to fill them out, and submitting applications. You can thank us later.

  • I Love It When You Talk Budget To Me, Baby

    I Love It When You Talk Budget To Me, Baby

    Remember that wedding vow. The one that went, I, take you, for richer or poorer. If you’re a bit hazy on how to get started on this one, we’ve got you covered.

    Consider the start of financial planning to be much like the early stages of planning a wedding. Use your resources and start discussing your obligations early on. Work with people who share your vision so the two of you feel secure and cared for. After all, it’s your money!  

    We’ve created a list of financial tips for newlyweds so you won’t be forced to revisit those vows, and test their true meaning.

    Don’t Commit Financial Infidelity

    While discussing money is not always the easiest conversation, the number one rule is to always be honest. This means not hiding any assets, discussing your financial goals, and working together as a unit. Be open about your situation so you can create the right plan for you as a couple.

    Crunch The Numbers

    When you set a time to sit down and discuss finances, you should both tally up all of your assets. This means savings, checking, retirement accounts, real estate, collectables and yes, debt.

    You should also review credit reports, and income if that hasn’t been previously been talked about. If there is something you haven’t told your partner yet, this is the time to get everything out in the open.

    #Goals

    Dreams can’t become reality without a a set of goals to get your plan in motion. There are three types of financial goals every couple should discuss and work into their budget:

    1. Emergency Funds: three-to-six months of essentials bills saved up for the unpredictable moments marriage can throw at you
    2. One-to-Five Years: savings for the dream trip to France you both have been wanting to take, or a down payment on a new car.
    3. Long Term: funds that can be built up over time and make a big difference in the future (children’s education, retirement funds).

    Create Your Budget

    To make your budget, add both of your essential costs (housing, groceries) with discretionary costs (Cosmo subscription, SoulCycle classes). It’s usually recommended to live on 80% of your income with the other 20% devoted to savings.

    If either of you has a fair amount of debt, live on 70% of your income and use a few tricks to cut spending down. Maybe limit takeout from your favorite sushi bar to once a month and trim rarely used expenses like cable or gym memberships.

    Think Big, Start Small

    Stash is not just an investment app. Just like a wedding planner wants your special day to reflect you, Stash lets you invest in what matters to you. You can invest in a selection of stocks that are carefully curated by their investment team based on expense ratio, trading liquidity, and risk profile. (Full disclosure- we looked up that lingo, too!)

    No need to dust off your old Econ textbook, Stash makes it easy to learn about investing. Visit Stash x HitchSwitch, and you’ll receive $5 in your new account to start investing. Time to make some money!

  • 7 Things You Should Know Before Planning a Wedding

    7 Things You Should Know Before Planning a Wedding

    Between the magic of the proposal and the moment you say “I do”, there is a lot of planning, preparation and of course, stress. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed and go a little overboard making sure every detail is perfect.

    There is nothing wrong with wanting your big day to be everything you dreamed of and more. But, before you start pulling your hair out going back and forth over centerpieces, pour yourself a glass of wine and read our list of the top things every bride should know before diving into the wedding planning process.

    Stop Comparing

    Tools like Pinterest are a great jumping off point for some cute ideas and to decide on the general direction you’d like to go with your wedding. But, when you start obsessing over venues out of your budget or spending hours looking at DIY projects when your artistic ability didn’t make it past second grade, it can get counterproductive.

    Don’t compare your wedding to those you see on social media. This day is about you and your partner, and your wedding should be a reflection of that.

    Everyone will give you advice (you don’t have to listen)

    If the idea of all eyes on you during a first dance is terrifying, you don’t have to do it. If you and your fiancé are uncomfortable with certain traditions/ want to start some new ones of your own, you are free to do whatever makes you happiest. It’s your day!

    Everyone that wants to will put their two cents in about your choices, but what’s right for your second cousin twice removed is not necessarily what’s right for you.

    Stay organized

    Over the next few months, you will have a lot to keep track of. It’s best to get a binder to dedicate all of your wedding plans to so they stay in one place. Making an email specific for the wedding is also a helpful tip, and planning out a tentative schedule helps you meet deadlines and determine your top priorities (cake tasting).

    Changing your name

    Now that you have the ring, it’s time to discuss how you want to go about changing your name. The sooner this becomes a priority, the less of a headache it will be later on. Whether it’s taking his last name, hyphenating, or one of the many other options you can choose from, HitchSwitch is the simplest solution for changing your name, without all of the hassle.

    Vendors know vendors

    Your photographer can recommend which flowers pop the most in pictures, and your venue will know what kind of music sounds the best in their space. Your vendors do this professionally every day, and when you find someone you like it can be super helpful to see if they have any recommendations for other businesses to work with.  

    Not everyone can have a plus-one

    Brides try diligently to make everyone happy. There are certain cases (if the couple is living together/engaged or if someone is travelling across the country for your wedding), where your guests should be treated to a plus-one.

    But, it’s usually not in anyone’s budget to include a plus-one for all your friends, and that’s something they will have to understand. If someone approaches you about why they were not given a plus-one, just politely explain that you are sorry, but it was not in the budget.

    Keep track of your budget

    If you are hiring a wedding planner, they will keep a budget for you, but it’s smart to do this yourself as well.

    Inevitably, you will fall in love with the lace and gold invitations that you didn’t initially budget for. If they suddenly become a make or break item for your wedding, it’s good to be aware of where you can cut back a little in order to make up for the extra spent.

  • Bridal Shower Gifts You’ve Never Thought Of

    Bridal Shower Gifts You’ve Never Thought Of

    Bridal showers are a great way to let the bride take a break from all the wedding preparation, make her feel special and enjoy some time with her close friends and family.

    For you, it also means another trip to Bloomingdale’s in pursuit of the perfect gift, or at least something someone else hasn’t already gotten her. Bridal shower gifts can get a little redundant and the last thing you want to do is get the bride something she doesn’t want/ already has.

    Lucky for you, we created a list of unique ideas for bridal shower gifts the bride is guaranteed to love.  

    1. Mixology Class:

    Give the gift of a great date night for the soon to be newlyweds! Planning a wedding is a stressful time, but these classes offer a fun and interactive evening full of mixing up delicious cocktails that also gives the couple a chance to work together as a team.

    2. Venus Et Fleur:

    Not your average floral arrangement, Venus Et Fleur are luxury boxed roses that can last for over a year. This special gift is most definitely insta-worthy, and their stunning appearance will leave a lasting impression that stays with the bride well past her wedding day.

    3. William Sonoma Newlywed Cookbook:

    If the couple only has one cookbook in their kitchen, this is the one they need to have. The book includes recipes for both seasoned chefs or those just starting out and is the perfect excuse for the bride to get her soon-to-be husband a little more involved in the kitchen. 

    4. A Hitchswitch Name Change gift card:

    Hitchswitch is the nation’s leading online and mobile name change service for newlyweds. HitchSwitch is here to make the name change process as easy as it was to say “I Do”. Now that’s a gift they will remember!

    5. Personalized Champagne Wedding Vase:

    You can never go wrong with bouquets and bubbly. This personalized gift is made from an upcycled champagne bottle with a label that can be customized to include the couple’s names, wedding date and location. The perfect keepsake to toast the occasion for years to come.  

    6. Subscription Service:

    What’s better than getting the bride one gift? Getting her a new gift delivered every month! A subscription service that comes full of her favorite essentials to help her with wedding planning, or just to put a smile on her face is the perfect gift to help the bride get through all of the craziness that lies ahead. Here are a few examples that are great for the bride-to-be:

    1. The Bride Box: a curated box full of surprise bridal gifts and goodies The Bride Box works closely with artists and designers to put together all the essentials the bride will need leading up to her big day.
    2. The Bouqs: for the bride that loves her flowers, Bouqs offers weekly, monthly, or quarterly subscriptions of fresh, polished flowers that will brighten her day.
    3. The Knot Subscription: The Knot is a personal wedding planner (that won’t mess up the seating chart) in a magazine and digital space. A subscription provides content, tools and services to assist with all her wedding planning needs.

  • Pay It Forward: The Wedding Gifts That Keep On Giving

    Pay It Forward: The Wedding Gifts That Keep On Giving

    Enter: the experience generation. We live for everything and want for nothing. Well, almost nothing: other than three weeks on an African Safari in a “rugged” 5-star hotel; the opportunity to jump out of a plane after only a weeks worth of skydiving lessons; or dinner reservations for two at the highly coveted Rao’s.

    That’s right, these are a few, amongst many outside the box wedding gifts that couples, as of recent, are requesting. And like dutiful little bridesmaids and guests, we are gifting.

    At the very least, these soon-to-be newly-weds know what they want and aren’t afraid to ask for it. This way no one is left purchasing bedding or towels that will never be used, and we can spend our brain power trying to decipher the wedding invites dress code that reads: country chic, WTF? If weddings today are as unique as ever, it would only make sense that gift registries would follow suit.

    There are some etiquette rules that have stood the test of time, and bypassing the registry is still a major party foul. The sky’s the limit nowadays, so you might as well register for the things you want. Even if those things aren’t necessarily things, and even if your great Aunt Mildred is scratching her head wishing you selected HER China pattern for your own.

    And now, without further  “I do”, some wild and crazy suggestions:


    You Better Work…Covergirl

    Perhaps an easy to use, easy to travel with a camera would be registry worthy. I know we think our iPhones can do everything these days, and they pretty much can but the video and picture quality can’t top the one below. The best DSLR quality for the Instagram-obsessed.

    I’m not only the president but also a member

    A membership or subscription to whatever meets your fancy: Perhaps, to a wine of the month club or cheese of the month club. Because isn’t everybody a bit of a foodie and wine connoisseur these days? (check out, Murray’s cheese of the month club)

    Concert Tickets

    Tickets to a Music Festival, like Austin City Limits, Coachella, or the NewLo jazz festival. The Woodstock generation might start to understand what you’re talking about now!!!  But, seriously, why not sit in the front row with your BAE to hear your favorite performers crooning to you and yours. Who cares that you won’t be able to hear for days, you’ll get used to the selective hearing thing the longer your married… oops, did I just say that out loud.

    Your Pup

    If you love your dog almost as much as your fiancé: register for a doggy walker, doggy day care or doggy spa packages. You might as well get something you’ll use, because who is going to care of your finicky frenchie, Napoleon unless you are staying at a pet friendly hotel in the Maldives


    It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere

    How about adding to the outdoor newlywed tailgating experience by registering and upgrading your cooler? That is equally practical as well as cool… In white, of course…

    Maybe, your special day has passed. Maybe you went “traditional,” like fine China, silver, or bedding. That worked for you, but remember, the hosts of the wedding set the tone, and your job is to zip your lip, throw away the key, and graciously follow the engaged couples lead when it comes to gifting.

    Nowadays, there really isn’t a “one size fits most” rule and you can trust that your anything but ordinary gift will make the newly-weds very happy.

     

  • How To: Rock your In-Laws’ First Visit

    How To: Rock your In-Laws’ First Visit

    Let’s face it: no matter the circumstance, family dynamics can be awkward. You’ve lived this long trying to figure out your own friggin’ family and now that you’re married, you’ve got an entire new round-up of relatives to decode! (Good luck.) Lucky for you, we have some tips to make this process a little bit smoother.

    Be a Little Extra

    Showing that you care by exerting real effort to make your new family comfortable is as endearing as it gets. Go the extra mile by stocking their room with fresh towels, a small flower arrangement and some reading material. Are homemade cookies too much? We think not.

    Know When To Serve (Or Curb)

    A little libation will loosen anyone up, and there’s nothing wrong with poppin’ a little bubbly when the family gets together. Plus, what a perfect excuse to show off your champagne flutes from Aunt Joanne and your baller ice bucket from Cousin Richard.

    If your in-laws practically invented the Tom Collins, then maybe just pretend to have run out of the sauce after the first bottle is finished.

    Plan a (Flexible) Activity

    Plan an activity for the family to enjoy together. If they’re particularly active, try a family bike ride, a round of golf, or take a walking tour around your town. If they’re homebodies, try a family game night featuring Pictionary or Scrabble. Keep it flexible (date, time and actual level of activity) to avoid a potentially stressful schedule.

    Find Common Ground

    Start small by talking about a dish you love to cook (or eat), an activity most everyone enjoys (like taking a walk or traveling to the beach), or a fond family memory. If they’re being especially difficult and giving you short answers, you can combat the coldness by following up with, “And why is that?” or “What about you?” Even the little brother co-ed who appears to be majoring in eye rolls and Tolstoy will open up once you’ve created a foundation with him.

    Good-Hearted Ribbing

    Families love to tease each other. Shared laughter creates a bond, so it’s smart to join in on the fun. As long as it stays light-hearted, making fun of your sister-in-law’s high school Emo phase or father-in-law’s 60s fumanchu is a great way to engage the natives.

    Turn to TV

    It may be rude to watch television when you have guests, but it’s not rude to talk about how awesome television is with guests. Everyone can bond over a mutual love of Game of Thrones (what is happening with that ice dragon!?) or Mad Men and you can learn more about their interests and the entertainment they value.

    Get a Buffer

    Everyone has that one black sheep in the family. And that person is usually awesome. If all else fails, invite that person and let them save you. They’re likely much better at navigating the rough waters and can bring you up to speed on who to sit next to and who to avoid at the family gatherings.

  • Celeb Couples Who Are Totally Nailing this Marriage Thing

    Celeb Couples Who Are Totally Nailing this Marriage Thing

    From fashion and beauty tips, to the latest dreaded diet that you’ll never actually follow, celebrities give us a ton of reasons to swoon over their rich and famous lifestyles. Unfortunately when it comes to luck in love, Hollywood’s divorce rate is higher than Sofia Vergara’s wedding cake.

    Celebrities aren’t often known for things like commitment, loyalty, and growing old together (or growing old at all). Some unions expire sooner than a gallon of organic milk (we’re looking at you KKW and Britney). While celeb breakups are always big news, we never want to see these names in the headlines about splitting:

    John Krasinski and Emily Blunt

    When they’re not collaborating on this month’s highly anticipated post-apocalyptic thriller, these two are busy basking in each others awesomeness and showering one other in mildly sickening, majorly adorable admiration. Not only does John Krasinski go all Fanboy, over The Devil Wears Prada (let’s be real, who doesn’t), the actor admits that the first time he heard his wife sing, he “immediately started weeping.” And now we’re crying too. JUST. STOP. ALREADY.

    The parents of two daughters, Hazel and Violet have basically defied gravity by placing their marriage before Hollywood and fame. How, you ask? The couple literally doesn’t talk about their celebrity status. We thought we loved Jim and Pam, but honestly, John and Emily seem to be the perfect pair.

    Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell

    Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell have been serving up #MarriageGoals since their 2013 wedding which cost the mega-famous couple a whopping $142. While many Hollywood couples present their marriages as easy, perfect and without complaints, Dax and Kristen are not about that life.

    When they’re not blessing the rains down in Africa, they are dropping truth bombs about their marriage, conflict resolution and what keeps their sweet chemistry alive. And if you haven’t already, you should listen to Dax’s interview with her on his podcast Armchair Expert.

    Victoria and David Beckham

    Before William + Kate or Harry + Meghan, Britain gave us Posh + Becks! Fortunately for the stylish Spice Girl, her shoe selection did not stop him from falling hard when they first met more than 20 year ago. Though they’d both already found fame, it turns out that they grew up just 15 minutes away from one another (destiny). She has become a pop star turned fashion icon and he has become a household name in football (erm, soccer), but these two have managed to stay strong–and both have totally mastered that steely model look.

    Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka

    If you have never seen their elaborate family Halloween costumes, we’ll give you a second to google. Great. Now that you’re back, you’ve seen for yourself how much fun this couple likes to have!  

    These two have been together since 2004 and once gay marriage was legalized, they revealed that they had, in fact, been engaged for five years and were waiting for the announcement to make it publicly official. BRB; gotta go die of cuteness overload.

    Now, the fun-loving parents of 7-year-old-twins, Harper Grace and Gideon Scott, are committed to being the cool dads, but something tells us they won’t have to try too hard.

    Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds

    You didn’t think we’d miss the King and Queen of Trolling, did you?! These two have developed quite the reputation for poking fun at each other on social media and, honestly, we can’t get enough. When a publication recently said the two were headed for a split, Ryan tweeted, “I wish. I could really use some ‘me time.’” We already knew Van Wilder was funny, but Blake’s got jokes too. She replied to a recent quip with, “Ever since Ashley Madison closed I’ve been so lonely.” Savage.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Will and Jada Pinkett Smith

    Will and Jada Pinkett Smith have been serving up wit for nearly a year until Jada finally agreed to date. Pause while we all swoon over the days when dudes actually had patience.

    Twenty years in, the couple is still known for their hustle, but seem to have that work/life balance grind all figured out. Who else thinks there should be an Academy Award for that? The pair have also produced two of young hollywood’s elite, Willow (who whips her hair back and forth) and Jaden (aka Karate Kid). And while Will may have learned that sometimes parents just do understand, when it comes to marriage Will and Jada have a reputation of being… progressive. In a 2005 interview, Will alluded to their open marriage, sharing that married couples have to find “what works for you.” This is a judgement-free zone. We say you do you, boo.

    Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell

    OK, OK. We know they’re not married, but this OG couple exemplifies what strong unions are about. They’ve been together 35+ years and in Hollywood, that’s no small feat. We love that Goldie’s kids know Kurt as “Dad” even though he’s not their biological father. Also, if you follow Kate Hudson on Instagram, you’ve seen some of their seriously cute family moments, including a choreographed Dance Wars challenge.

    Did we leave your favorite celeb couple out? Tell us about it in the comments below!

     

  • What To Do In The First Two Months After Your Honeymoon

    What To Do In The First Two Months After Your Honeymoon

    Now that you’re married, you feel like a real adult (at least on days you’re not hungover). But even if you’re not ready to discuss tax rates with Uncle Ron over whiskey sours at The Club, here are a few easy-to-do, post-wedding tasks that will make you feel accomplished and yes, like you’re rocking this whole adult thing:

    Thank You Notes

    Don’t put off this task. Repeat: do not put off this task. You’ll thank us later when you don’t have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome from writing sixty seven notes in a row. After all, do you want to keep Grandma Sue waiting after she bought you that amazing Le Creuset dutch oven that would make even Julia Child envious?

    If you’re in need of some inspiration (or advice on how to clean up a thank you faux pas), check out our guide to thank you note etiquette.

    Change your Name

    Most people would rather have their molars pulled than sift through mountains of paperwork. If the thought of changing your name makes you break out into a sweat you haven’t experienced since Finals Week, say the next word with us aloud: HitchSwitch. HitchSwitch is a service that streamlines the maddening steps for you to change your name. See? Painless! And you still have all your teeth.

    Reserve your New Email Address or Social Handle

    If you’re changing your name, it’s a good idea to try to grab a new Gmail address (and  Instagram name) while it’s still available. Unlike your AIM screen name (we see you, CuTiEkRiS86), keep it career-friendly. Remember to sync your new email address with your old so that all future emails sent to your old address will automatically be forwarded to your new account. . It’s also a good time to give them a new physical address if you’ve got one!

    Add your Name to the Bills

    Nothing will make you more angry than the Internet going out right in the middle of your Stranger Things binge. But if your spouse isn’t home and your internet service provider doesn’t have your name on the account, you could be stuck having to watch–gasp–live TV. If you’ve moved in together post-nuptials, it’s time to put your name on the utilities and other bills. It’s not just so you can share financial responsibility (blah, blah, blah, adulting), but so you can also call for service repair without the dreaded “you’re not the account holder” response.

    Organize your Gifts

    Large retailers like Macy’s or Nordstrom have this registry business down to a science, but sometimes you can end up with multiples of the same gifts (sorry, but I really don’t need three Keurigs). You may also end up with some off-the-registry gems that you really can’t use. In this case, it’s time to exchange and return. Additionally, there may be some items you simply can’t live without that weren’t purchased. In that case, it’s time to scoop them up before they’re gone!

    Pro tip: If you qualify, Amazon will offer a discount for purchasing your remaining registry items.

    Delete your Wedding Website

    Wedding websites will often expire after a year, but sometimes, they may be on auto-renewal (especially if you purchased a unique domain). Don’t incur unnecessary expenses; go ahead and delete it while it’s fresh in your mind (and before you’ve forgotten the password).

    Preserve your Wedding Dress

    Your wedding dress is probably your favorite piece of clothing you’ve ever worn. You should probably treat it better than the hand knit, dancing penguin sweater your mom gave you last Christmas that’s still wadded up in the back of your closet. Get it professionally cleaned, treated and stored in a safe spot.

    Here’s actual footage of you once you’ve completed this list:

    Now it’s time to Google how the hell to use a dutch oven.

  • How to Deal With Post-Wedding Blues (Yes, it’s a Real Thing)

    How to Deal With Post-Wedding Blues (Yes, it’s a Real Thing)

    From dress shopping, to food tasting, to your bachelorette party and finally the main event, your wedding year was basically the best effin’ time of your life. But now it’s all over and no matter how many times you see a “the best is yet to come” meme on Instagram, you can’t help but feel the dreaded let down. There’s no shame in your game, girl. We get it. Post-wedding blues are more common than many women would like to admit. Over the past year or so, you’ve had event after event, all leading up to a wildly successful wedding, concluding with a racy and romantic honeymoon. Great. Thanks for the memories, but now WTF are you supposed to do with all this free time?

    Fear not, my sullen sister. There’s no need to feel like Carrie Bradshaw on her Mexican honeymoon after Mr. Big leaves her at the altar. We’ve got some ideas that will kickstart your newly-married mentality and get you back to feeling like your old self (just with a new last name).

    Find a New Obsession

    Regardless of how long you gave yourself to plan a wedding, however big or small, or even if you hired a planner like every other resident of “Bride Country,” you spent endless hours a week working on your wedding. Now you’re bored AF, so it’s time to fill that void with something that gives your tender heart something to look forward to.

    Want to impress the in-laws by Thanksgiving? Start experimenting in the kitchen or take a couple of cooking classes that’ll blow their ever-judging-loving minds when they bite into a Julia Child’s inspired Stuffed Turkey with Farce Pitchounaise.

    Perhaps you want to graduate from being Trader Joe’s most loyal “Three Buck Chuck” enthusiast. A wine class will have you feeling good in more ways than one.

    Still daydreaming about your wedding bouquet? Fancy yourself a florist after a few flower arrangement classes. At minimum, you’ll have the skills and confidence to make centerpieces for your next dinner party or holiday get together.

    When in doubt, work it out! You worked hard for that bridal body, so let’s keep putting in the work to keep it for good. But instead of going back to your old routine,why not try something new that you can get hooked on like Pilates, Power Yoga or weightlifting?

    Relive the Big Day

    “It goes by so quickly” is the most cliche yet accurate statement that everyone and their mother warns you about. Fortunately, between friends’ & family’s pictures on social media, your photographer’s shots, and (if you’re lucky enough to have a videographer) your wedding video, you can relive your big day as often as you’d like.
    Give yourself time to remember what was happening in each photo and appreciate how much fun you were having. Also, don’t forget to appreciate how effing gorgeous you looked. Now’s not the time to be modest.

    Fill up all those new frames with your favorite photos from your magical weekend. Just keep in mind that you’ll eventually have guests visit so be sure to showcase the VIPs. Also, spare yourself the embarrassment of being “one of those couples” that has 20 pictures of only you and your husband from your wedding day.

    Find a website to DIY your own wedding album. They’re a fraction of the price and with the right company, they look pretty damn good. Want bonus points from the fam? Make an album for your parents, in-laws and grandparents.

    Invest in Your Relationships

    Like it or not, the year of you is over. It’s harsh, and it hits you as fast as JWOWW backhanding The Situation on Jersey Shore. While it may be a tough pill to swallow that you’re no longer being treated like royalty, the best thing you can do is step into the present and reconnect with your family and friends. If other people in your life are wedding planning or preparing to have a baby, throw yourself into planning for them! They were committed to your events and parties; now’s a great time to return the favor and shower them with attention.

    One of the best parts about weddings is all the events surrounding them, and when they’re done, it’s sucks for everyone. Since you’re basically a professional planner at this point, get some stuff on the calendar!
    Start a dinner club with your bridesmaids.

    Make future plans with your out-of-town family.

    Invite your local girlfriends to join you for that new wine class. Or who are we kidding, just invite them over for wine and Bachelor in Paradise on your couch.

    Focus on Your Marriage

    You’re married now, so go be married! The wedding was about the marriage, after all (OK, we’ll admit that a lot of it was about the dress, too). Invest in creating new married memories with your spouse. Enjoy your newly committed companionship by spending quality time together whether that is a Netflix marathon, practicing making a baby, or cooking together at home. When you’re feeling down, look over to your awesome spouse for a quick reminder that you’re pretty damn lucky!

  • What our Favorite TV Couples Have Taught Us about Marriage

    What our Favorite TV Couples Have Taught Us about Marriage

    You know that feeling when you’re Netflix & chilling and suddenly you realize that one of your favorite small screen couples is totally you and your spouse? You’re definitely not alone. It’s basically a sitcom’s job to give us relatable martial role models living out real-life scenarios mixed with a perfect portion of comedy, drama, and sometimes all-too-real sorrow (we’re looking at you, This is Us).

    So move over, Gary Chapman; while we’ll we respect your love languages, these TV couples have taught us basically everything we need to know about how to navigate marriage.

    Red and Kitty Forman: Snark can be a love language.

    There’s no question that Red and Kitty are a decidedly devoted duo, but we’re not here to talk about the warm and fuzzies. The best thing about this couple’s marriage is their shared love for sarcasm and snark. While the wit and banter is often aimed at their grown children, they also use it to keep each other in check. We all aim to be in relationships where finishing each other’s sentences and Red and Kitty can surely do that:

    Chandler and Monica Bing: Know when to grow up & when to stay silly.

    Just because you’re married doesn’t mean you have to forget all your silly shenanigans. We love Monica and Chandler because they’re both quirky individuals who love to have fun (even self-proclaimed control freak Monica has “The Routine”). There’s a time to grow up (like when Chandler is afraid of commitment) and there’s a time to be silly (like when it comes to cheering up your spouse by putting a turkey on your head). The best marriages find themselves with the perfect balance of silly and steadfast. We think Monica and Chandler nail it.

    Derek Shepherd & Meredith Grey: Sometimes, you don’t need all the wedding hoopla.

    Some people (not this writer) were upset when Derek and Meredith wrote their vows on a post-it note in the elevator of the hospital for their wedding. However, we love how non-traditional it was. It’s primetime television on a medical drama where the two main characters are finally getting together. They could’ve scripted the big wedding, but this moment was sweet and stayed true to the characters’ values. Sometimes, all the wedding hoopla just isn’t right for the couple and that’s okay!

    Cam and Mitchell Pritchett: Embrace your partner’s weirdness.

    Let’s get this out of the way first: if Cam and Mitchell aren’t your favorite couple on Modern Family, you’re wrong. They are an “opposites attract” match in the funniest way. Take, for example, Cam’s beloved clown act, Fizbo. Even though Mitchell gets a little embarrassed when Fizbo appears, he always ends up embracing his partner’s weirdness and accepts their personality differences, knowing that it makes them stronger as a couple. Each episode, these two teach us that if you can accept and celebrate your partner at their weirdest, you’re definitely in it for the long haul.

    Peggy Olson and Stan Rizzo: Challenge each other. Be friends first.

    Mad Men was rife with terrible relationships (especially if the man in that relationship was named Don), but there was one glimmer of hope in the series: Peggy and Stan. Everyone knew that they belonged together long before they realized it. Why? Because they were enemy colleagues, then supportive friends, then best friends who fought with–and for–each other. They’re not afraid to call each other out and not afraid to hurt each other’s feelings if it makes the other better. While we’re not suggesting your relationship won’t work unless you endured years of verbal sparring at a shared office, we love when marriages grow from friendships. Like Peggy and Stan, some couples realize they’ve grown up to be exactly who the other needs. Cue the awwwws.