To start, my FI and I need to talk about this. We haven't really yet, because I've pretty much indicated I want to change my last name to his after we're married...but I'm having second thoughts. I know this talk comes up on this forum semi-frequently, but it still feels good to just hash it out.
I'm seriously considering either keeping my last name, or hyphenating my name and his. I've always had a strong attachment to my name and I feel like it's a major part of my identity. Plus I just like the way it sounds. His last name is a color. My name plus his last name sound nice together and while I like the idea of it, I have a lot of sad feelings around "losing" my maiden name. I don't want to make my last name my middle name although it's a tradition not unfamiliar to his family. His aunt comes from a cultural tradition where you give your daughter (or maybe just your children in general, I'm not 100% on this) your maiden name as their middle name. So in essence, his cousin has a completely bizarre middle name.
What do you guys think? How did you and your FI handle this? I think my FI will probably be ok with it. I'm not even sure how I want us to be introduced at our reception. Does it sound awkward to have our dj announce us as Mr. HisFirstname HisLastname and Mrs. HerFirstname HerLastname-His Lastname. I feel like if my last name is important enough to me to keep it, then I should probably tell people about it. At the same time I feel really private about this decision and I'd rather tell people on a need to know basis like my parents and his. As far as I know I haven't attented a wedding where the bride kept or hyphenated her last name. If she did, then the name wasn't announced formally at the reception. It's always been Mr. and Mrs. HisName. Sorry for the novel, sometimes it just feels good to talk it out.