This is very common etiquette question with a very simple answer: The law says it’s your choice -- taking your husband’s last name is not mandatory. If you get married and decide to change your name, you have quite a few options. You can hyphenate both your last names, take your husband’s last name, or create a hybrid of the two. The majority of brides choose option two, though there is no right or wrong way to go.

Some brides decide to take their husband’s last names, but still long to hold on to their own. In this case, a bride can use her maiden name as her new middle name -- an option that’s becoming increasingly more popular. Just remember to think long and hard about the choice you make, because once you’ve made a legal name-change, the law requires you to be consistent on all legal and official documents.