Engaged couple created 31 challenges to decide whose last name to keep

Most couples flip a coin whenever they struggle to decide on a dinner spot or settle a minor debate. Bailey Adams and Larissa Scandora, however, decided a simple toss wasn't enough for a lifetime commitment. After getting engaged on a Hudson River sailboat in July 2025, the New Jersey couple hit an unexpected wall while planning their wedding. Both loved their family names and refused to hyphenate after marriage. Determined to share a surname without compromising, they turned the dilemma into a month-long showdown of 31 events, where the first to hit 16 wins would keep their name. The couple then shared clips every day on their TikTok account (@baileyandlarissa), racking up millions of views.

The name-change dilemma

As the initial excitement around the wedding settled, Adams and Scandora started discussing changing last names after marriage. Both the ladies loved their heritage, yet they felt strongly about sharing a single surname rather than hyphenating. "Because we both like our names, and they represent our families, which we like, but we really didn’t know. We really couldn’t come up with an answer," Scandora told PEOPLE. Determined to settle the issue, the couple decided to get creative online. 

The 16-win rule

Adams and Scandora came up with a plan to compete in a month-long challenge series before their wedding. They mapped out 31 separate matchups and decided that whoever won 16 challenges first would get to keep their name after marriage. "We thought a month-long challenge for such a big commitment was fair because...it gives us time to fight for the last name with a little bit of incorporating different things," Adams noted. Nonetheless, it was easier said than done, as the pair had to go through grueling brainstorming sessions to come up with challenges.

And the winner was…

Soon the showdown began. The activities ranged from pool races to balloon dart races, bobbing for apples, and even dashing through public parks inside oversized chicken costumes. They documented every game, drawing thousands of viewers at a time. "We’ve been trying to have fun with it and enjoy something we can look back on, and I guess show our kids one day that they got their last name," Adams revealed. She confessed she wouldn't have done many things if they weren't filming it.

Even with all the silliness, the emotional weight of surrendering an identity lingered beneath everything. This made the final stretch of games quite intense. The rivalry reached its climax on September 24, 2026, when the pair faced off against each other in the ultimate decider. Adams secured her 16th victory, ensuring that the couple will walk down the aisle in 2028 as Adamses.

The battle of the last name

Many married couples share a single surname across the United States. In fact, according to an Institute of Family Studies survey, 82% of women (in heterosexual relationships) take their spouse's name after marriage. However, only about 12% choose to keep their maiden name after marriage. When it comes to homosexual relationships, TheKnot.com survey found that 54% of same-sex couples keep their given last names. However, 41% of female same-sex couples and 23% of male same-sex couples change their last name to their partner's.

'Brilliant idea'

At the end of the challenges, people were a bit emotional, while a few pitched more ideas. @_tytanic_ suggested, "Now compete for your first dance song, or your honeymoon destination, or something. Please." Similarly, @suehee525 wrote, "Congratulations, team Adams! This challenge was so good. I can’t wait to see your next adventure."

You can follow Bailey & Larissa (@baileyandlarissa) on TikTok for more lifestyle content. 

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