Brendan and I got married on August 20th at The Belle Haven Club in Greenwich CT, and it was the most amazing night! You have all been sending me the sweetest messages, and I so appreciate it! I seriously have the best followers 🙂 We honeymooned in Thailand for a couple weeks, exploring Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui. You can check out the gluten free friendly restaurants I found in Thailand here! Thailand isn’t the easiest place to eat gluten free but it is possible!
When I got back to the US, I picked up our marriage license at the Greenwich Town Hall. It was official! Next, I looked into how I could change my name to my new married name. To be honest, I was pretty overwhelmed. There are so many forms you have to fill out and you have to do them in a certain order. You have to get a new social security card, driver’s license, passport (I JUST got a new passport before we left for Thailand), credit cards, notify your job’s payroll and bank accounts, etc. The easiest part would be to change my name on Facebook!
After a few Google searches, I came across HitchSwitch which said you could change your name in a few easy steps. It seemed too good to be true… But sure enough, you choose which package you want (print at home, platinum, or full service) and fill out their easy form and then #ClaimYourName. The first option, print at home, is $29, and you get to print all the forms needed and then fill them out. The second option, platinum, is $59, and HitchSwitch will send you the paperwork filled out by them based on the info you give them in their easy form. The third option, full service, is $79, and includes the full service package in addition to a ready-to-ship passport photo and help from the Personal Name Concierge at any time. I chose the second option package which is the most popular.
A few days later I received a package labeled: OUT with the Aanonsen & IN with the McEwan. HitchSwitch had already filled out most of my info and clearly indicated which parts I needed to fill out in order for the form to be complete. Everything was so clearly labeled which was a relief. You still have to go to your local social security office, and then at least 48 hours later you can get a driver’s license, passport, etc. I went to my local AAA instead of the DMV to get my new driver’s license which I highly recommend doing if you can – it is so much quicker and it’s only $5 if you aren’t a AAA member. I mailed in the necessary info including my marriage license to get a new passport. Once the passport office mails my marriage license back to me, I will notify my bank accounts and job so my new name will be all set!
Thank you, HitchSwitch, for making my name change so much easier! And thanks to ALL OF YOU for your sweet messages 🙂
P.S. If you want to see what our wedding was like, here is a link to our video highlight 🙂
