Should You Change Your Name Before or After the Wedding?
A Simple Guide for Australian Couples
When it comes to changing your name after getting married, there is no single “right” way to do it.
At I Do Drive Thru, we’ve seen couples take all kinds of approaches. Some people take their partner’s surname. Some create a double-barrelled surname (like Taylor-Jones or Nguyen-Smith). Others create a brand new surname from scratch (like Katie Callahan and Karl Trobaus becoming the “Callahaus” family, or two people choosing the new surname “Wolfe” together).
These modern choices are becoming more common, and we love seeing couples pick names that feel personal and intentional for their future.
Your wedding ceremony is a special moment in your story. The name you choose (or choose to keep) should reflect your partnership, your values, and what feels right for you both.
Why do some couples choose to change their name before the wedding?
If you and your partner are planning to take a completely new surname (not just one of your current surnames), it is usually easier if one of you changes it legally before the wedding.
Here’s why:
After the wedding, you can use your official marriage certificate to take the surname of either partner. But that only works if the name you want to take is already printed on the certificate. That’s the key.
If the new surname isn’t on the certificate, you won’t be able to use it through the marriage process alone. Instead, both partners will need to do a formal change of name through their state or territory’s Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) office.
So, if you want to share a brand new surname, here’s the simple way to do it:
One of you legally changes their name through BDM before the wedding.
When your marriage is registered, that new surname will appear on the marriage certificate.
The other partner can then use the certificate to take that surname without needing a second legal name change.
Here’s a real example:
One of our recent couples created a new surname. One partner changed their name through BDM before the ceremony. After the wedding, their marriage certificate showed that new surname, so the other partner was able to take it without doing any extra paperwork.
Once the marriage certificate is finalised, you can use it to update your details on things like:
Passports
Driver’s licences
Medicare and banking
Superannuation and utilities
Changing your name involves a lot of paperwork, so taking the easiest path can save time and stress later.
Why do some couples wait until after the ceremony?
Lots of couples decide to wait until after their wedding to change their name and that’s completely fine too.
When your marriage is registered, you’ll receive an official marriage certificate (it looks a lot like a birth certificate). This document is what allows you to legally take your partner’s surname, as long as that surname appears on the certificate.
You can use the certificate to update your name with banks, government ID, and other services. You can do this right away, or take your time and do it slowly, whatever works best for you.
You also don’t need to follow traditional or gendered naming patterns. We’ve worked with couples of all kinds; same-sex couples, blended families, and modern partnerships who chose something that felt equal, meaningful, and true to their story.
Sometimes, an absentee parent means it feels more meaningful to share the other family name.
Here are some common choices:
One partner takes the other’s surname
A double-barrelled surname that combines both surnames
A completely new surname created together (requires legal change before the wedding, as explained above)
One partner adds the other’s surname as a middle name
Both partners keep their surnames, but each adds the other’s surname as a middle name
Many couples say that the act of changing their name, even if it comes later, feels like a meaningful step into married life. It’s a way of showing unity and creating a shared identity, while also reflecting their relationship in a visible way.
Not sure which option is best for you?
Here are a few things to know:
Both options are legally valid in Australia. You can change your name before or after the wedding, depending on what feels right.
The process is slightly different in every state and territory, so always check your local BDM office for the exact steps.
If you have a “wedding name” you want to use (like for signage, invitations or social media), you can start using it informally at any time. But remember: informal use doesn’t mean it’s legally changed. You’ll still need to do the paperwork to make it official after the wedding — or do a legal change of name if it’s a brand new surname.
The I Do Drive Thru perspective
We believe your wedding and your name should feel like you. That’s it.
We’ve married hundreds of couples across Australia, and we’ve seen every kind of name choice imaginable. Whether you’re keeping your current surname, taking your partner’s, blending both, or inventing something brand new — there’s no wrong answer here.
What matters most is that you’re happy with your decision, and that it feels natural, simple, and aligned with your story.
Your ceremony — and your name — should feel like a celebration of who you are and the life you’re building together.
Thinking about a name change?
You can find the most up-to-date info on name change processes through your state or territory’s Births, Deaths and Marriages registry:
New South Wales
Victoria
Queensland
South Australia
Western Australia
Tasmania
Northern Territory
ACT
Want more help with the legal stuff?
Visit the I Do Drive Thru Blog for practical, fuss-free guidance on getting married in Australia.