telling guests how to write checks

We had this exact issue. Call your bank and ask them if you will be able to deposit the check since you're keeping your maiden name. They may be able to work with you. It helps that you'll have the joint checking account.

Don't say anything. You most likely won't have problems.

I haven't changed my name and had no issues. Most people either wrote them out to only me (maiden name) or only H, or Mr. and Mrs H's last name, and we had no problem.

Don't address it.

Honestly this was the most annoying thing I came across after the honeymoon. A lot of them wrote checks out to Mr and Mrs. His last name or my name with my new last name. Thankfully, his bank accepted them to go into his account, I just needed to sign maiden and new name.

I would just talk to your bank about it. Most will probably be understanding. I guess if for some reason they absolutely won't let you, you'll have to contact the person that gave it to you. I'm sure they'll be wanting it out of their account, so you can't just ignore it.

Don't say anything. I am not changing my last name and we just needed both of us sign the checks. Annoying but not too much of a problem.

Personal Banker to the Rescue! (Trademark Pending)

Don't dictate it to your guests. Most of them will make it payable to one of you, Mr and Mrs ___, or some combination.

When you get your pile of checks, go to your bank of choice and ask to speak to the Teller Supervisor. Generally they will ask that you each endorse the back of the check, and then you will be able to deposit into an account that is single or joint with no problem. I used to be a Teller Sup, and I used to do this all the time

EDIT: Doesn't hurt to bring your marriage certificate as well as something with your maiden name on it.

We had a ton of people use Mr and Mrs ___ or even Mr and Mrs Robert ____ so we will probably need to actually sit with a real human and figure out what to do to deposit them. We also considered using all that money to open a joint account, then splitting the cash we got 50/50.

I used to work as a teller and this was common since some people don't do the name change right away, if its a joint account as long as his name matches its fine, or if your just trying to deposit into your account they may just ask to see your marriage certificate or you can just deposit it into his account. If your depositing into a joint account it doesn't matter if it says and/or as long as one of the names match the name on the account. I worked for a small branch so I'm not 100% if this is universal with all banks though

I wouldn't ask my guest to do that.

If you have a joint account it will be fine, you don't have to mention anything. We just went to the bank branch together and both signed the back of the checks, it wasn't a big deal.

We had checks written to Katie S____, Dan K____, Katie and Dan K____, and every other combination. We deposited them all, and I endorsed them all with my name and maiden name. There were no problems.

We have a couple of checks that I'll need to go with DH to the bank to deposit (and bring our marriage license just in case) - but I wouldn't leave check instructions on your website. It will be the tiniest hassle out of our day which we're happy to do for the gift

On my wedding website I did FAQs and put. Q: "Is Laura chasing her last name?", A: "Laura is not changing her last name and will remain Laura (LastName)". I am worried about the same thing.

You can do something similar but put that you will be changing it in a few months so you will still have your name for 3 months after the wedding.

I would never personally do that! And most people will give cash. We opened a joint account after wedding, I haven't changed my name. All the bank asked was to see a copy of our marriage license and cashed the checks for us.

Please don't do that. It looks super gift-grabby. Banks can work with you on this. I'm sure it happens all the time.

Former lead teller here. Just seconding what my other banking friends have said.

Don't say anything unless specifically asked!

Hi hello I work at a bank! While all banks are different, if you sign it how they made the check payable (future last name) then your name now (maiden name) you should be fine!

DH deposited our checks just fine. Our guests wrote 'Mr. And Mrs. X' and the bank accepted them without issue. Since you are now a team, most people aren't going to write just one of your names.