As of this week, I’m officially Caroline Downing Price, social security card in hand. It was actually easier and less stressful than I imagined to get my new social security card, but I still need a new license and passport AND I need to update my bank account, payroll, and credit card information.
Luckily, The Knot has a pretty comprehensive list of what all needs to be changed, so I’ll just work my way through that list. For DC ladies getting married, just a couple of small things I learned:
- You need a photo ID and your marriage license, plus a really easy form. I last minute grabbed my passport and because it was easier to find in my bag, I used that.
- If you’re already a US citizen, you don’t need your birth certificate (ps- my DC birth certificate looks TOTALLY different than certificates the rest of my family. I was the only one born in The District so is this just a DC being extra thing?)
- They do not keep a copy of your marriage license.
- The SS office is terrible. It’s like the DMV. Bring a book or a fully charged phone and know you’re going to be there for a while with lots of grumpy, impatient people.
- You don’t get your card right away. Mine took just under a week to arrive.
I chose my new legal name to be Caroline Downing Price for a series of reasons. Originally, I wanted to keep both Downing and Suzanne but literally there wasn’t space for it on the form. I’ll be honest, it was a hard choice to drop the Suzanne because it’s a family name on both sides. But I’m also the last Downing and very close with my family, so I couldn’t see dropping that either. My mom went from Mathy Ann Milling to Mathy Milling Downing, so it’s a bit of tradition right there. I always knew I would take my husband’s last name, because when we have kids, it’s logistically a lot easier for day-to-day parenting if the kids have the same last name as their parents. We’ll probably incorporate Downing and/or Suzanne into our daughter’s name (when we, God willing, have at least one little girl).
Now that I have my new name, it’s time for a new monogram! I will still rock my cDs on what I have, but I’m excited for that cPd too! Below I have rounded up some of my current fave monogram-able goodies. In the words of my girl Reese Witherspoon,
My sheets are monogrammed, so is my silverware and pretty much everything else I own. My rule is, if it’s not moving — monogram it!
Multi Confetti Stadium Bucket Bag||kate spade new york tortoise pencil cup||kate spade new york strawberries acrylic drinkware||Moon and Lola Medium Acrylic Script Monogram Pendant Necklace||Premium Distressed Cotton Cap||Women’s Rose Gold Circle Monogrammed Sandal||Lands’end Large Natural Gold Open Top Canvas Tote Bag||Printed Lacquer Tray, Lattice||Leather Heart Keychain
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