The OurWeddingDay Blog

Supermodel and Project Runway Grand Dame Heidi Klum has just legally become Heidi Samuel, taking husband Seal's surname... 4 years after their marriage (or as we like to call it, their "first wedding").

The taking of the groom's surname continues to be a hot topic for modern brides, and we couldn't help but wonder how waiting to change names affects the debate.  Is it unromantic, in a 'waiting to be sure' kind of way, or is it incredibly romantic in a 'reaffirming my devotion in a totally unexpected way' kind of way?

There isn't a standard rule of etiquette as to when to take your husband's name, because until recent generations there practically no discussion about whether individual brides wanted to take their spouses names.

What do you think?  Will you be taking your husband's name?  If so, will you take it right away?  Do you think the taking of the grooms name is the "right thing to do," is is it more of a personal choice?  How to hyphenated last names factor in?

We're pretty surprised with the results of this poll, in which half of female respondents say that  women should be mandated by the government to take their husband's name.

The study, presented by the American Sociological Association from Indiana University and the University of Utah, used this question to get the fairly small sample of 815 respondents to open up about various social issues

70% of those polled felt "either somewhat or strongly, that it's beneficial for women to take her husband's last name when they marry."  A researcher called the enthusiasm for government-mandated name-change "interesting."

Will you be changing your name?  Do you think that brides should have to change their name?