Legally married before ceremony for health insurance gap, any pitfalls legally?

We're getting married in early August in California, USA

My fiance is in a bind in terms of health insurance due to several factors and won't be able to get insurance again until we get married (qualifying life event)

However an issue with just going down to the courthouse tomorrow and signing papers; if we do that, don't we need to do the entire legal name change process within a 2 month grace period? Meaning we have to change a shitload of paperwork right now when we're busy wedding planning?

Or can we postpone most of the name change stuff till later?

However, does the name change stuff HAVE TO happen before I can add her onto my health insurance? (She can get her own through her job but she works for schools so I figured mine would be nicer insurance and we can split the cost).

Or can we literally just do the marriage paperwork, get her on my health insurance with her current name, and leave all the rest until well after the wedding no problem?

I'm terrified that we will get the marriage license with the new names, immediately try to get her on my plan with a QLE, but they ask to see the marriage license, see her new name and go ???wtf who dis???

submitted by /u/gafonid
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