Wedding drama: Mum concerned over son’s plan to hyphenate his surname upon marriage

The issue of what to do with surnames in marriage has started to become more complicated in recent times.

Many couples are choosing to combine both their surnames with a hyphen to avoid choosing one over the other, as the shift from the bride automatically taking on the groom’s name continues.

But one mum isn’t having it and has expressed her concerns at her son’s plan to hyphenate his surname once he ties the knot.

READ MORE: Sophie Delezio marries her childhood sweetheart

In a post on Mumsnet she explained it’s not because she is against them and wrote, “It’s 2025 and more of a modern concept to keep it ‘fair’.”

But rather she thinks their resulting surname is just “too long”. 

“Her surname is really quite long, along the lines of Williamson and we have a 2 syllable 8 letter one!” the mother of the groom wrote on the online forum.

READ MORE: Harry’s UK security claim labelled ‘nonsense’

“I have asked him what he wants and he said originally he didn’t consider it and did think it would just be his surname, until she spoke up about what she wanted and he was open to it and said yes,” the mother continued.

“I asked if he responded to it at all and questioned the practicality and he just says no he didn’t because it’s not a big deal.”

The mother of the groom said she thinks her son is “completely undermining how much of a burden” this will be, especially with the hopes of having kids one day.

“I get it’s his life but what is the general opinion on this?” she added.

“I am curious if he would change his mind when realising what people will actually be thinking behind his back.”

And while she doesn’t mind about the actual name, the grandparents are “horrified”.

“I have tried to explain it’s more usual nowadays and DH (darling husband) doesn’t like it at all but hasn’t said anything yet,” she added.

The Mumsnet forum was overwhelmingly against the woman having an opinion about this at all.

“It’s nothing to do with you. Let them at it, and see how inconvenient it is,” one commented.

“I’d be more concerned about whether she is going to be a decent partner for your son.”

Another commented, “If your objection is genuinely that the name will be too long, just suggest he takes his future wife’s name?”

The strict rules all royal brides must follow on their wedding day

“They could take her only her name, then it won’t be so long,” added another.

“I don’t think it’s really about the length of the surname is it,” another replied.

“It sounds like you’re the only one who’s upset, well you and the ‘horrified’ grandparents,” one person commented.

For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.

“There are only two people who matter here and they’ve made their decision,” they continued.

“You’ll have to find something else to worry about.”

“Loads of people double barrel & end up using one name. Relax,” another replied.

“Honestly, mind your own business. It’s nothing to do with you – or the ‘horrified’ grandparents,” added another.

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.