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Bound by Love, Not Tradition:
Empowering Women Through Married Name Choices

Publication date is March 1, 2026, but you can
preorder your copy today, earn a thank you gift
and join this empowering journey.

See details on Preorder page

Book cover titled 'Bound by Love, Not Tradition' showing a bride in a wedding dress with pink high heels and a bridegroom holding a bouquet of pink flowers, standing against a textured wall.

I started the Married Name Choices project because I’ve been through the married name dilemma myself -twice- and realized how little couples actually talk about name decisions. Too often, one partner -usually the woman- feels silent pressure to conform. But a name carriers identity, ancestry, and meaning for both people.

This project empowers women to discover what truly matters to them and to have open, honest conversations with their fiancé about their married name choices - so both partners feel heard, respected, and confident in making a decision together.

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A gray circular logo with white dotted border, featuring a white wedding dress on a hanger and the words 'Married Name Choices' in black, stylish font.
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“Thoughtful, smart, and surprisingly emotional. This book helped me see how much I had internalized societal expectations. I made a decision I feel proud of—and this book gave me the clarity and courage to do it.”

— Emily Cho, Marketing Executive & Newlywed

“A must-read for couples who want to have an honest, equal conversation about their future. It’s not about what you ‘should’ do—it’s about what matters most to you.”

— Dr. Monica Patel, Therapist & Relationship Coach

“The guided questions were exactly what I needed—gentle, insightful, and surprisingly powerful.”

— Michelle T., Second-time Bride

“A thoughtful reminder that a child’s last name can—and should—reflect both parents’ legacies. This book made me proud to pass on my surname to my children.”

— Tanya M., Mom and Educator

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Headshots provided by Photography by Lisa E

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Hello@MelaniaJoy.com

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