Ok, let’s talk about the not-so-glamorous but oh-so-important marriage license. It’s one of five things you must have for a wedding: A groom, a bride, an officiant, a place….and the license makes 5. Everything else just makes it more fun.
It’s not rocket science but here’s the low-down and special instructions if I am officiating your wedding
You must get the license before the ceremony and bring it to your wedding. Please have someone as your designated “license guardian” (director, mom, bestie, etc) ready to hand it to me when I arrive, or I’m likely to drive people crazy until they find it.
I have found it’s better to take care of the license before the ceremony rather than afterwards to avoid interrupting after-ceremony activities chasing down the license. Wouldn’t you rather be eating cake?
You are getting married in the land of Dolly Parton & hot chicken so you must have a Tennessee license to get hitched in TN. The nice thing is you can get it in any county and use it anywhere in TN. Like a bad batch of eggnog, the license expires in 30 days so don’t get trigger happy & get it too soon. You can check the nitty gritty details at the Davidson County clerk’s site to get more specifics: http://www.nashvilleclerk.com/living/marriage-license/ or any county – just poke around for their sites. Call them if you have some specific case questions.
Some counties have a keepsake copy which I put my scribble on and leave with the couple the day of the wedding. Other counties do not, but there are 2 parts that are standard in every county. But fear not, I take care of the official stuff – signing and mailing those in back to the clerk for you.
If you prefer the DIY route, & take it back yourself, let me know. In that case, know this: the license is like a library book with a grumpy librarian – it must be returned to the clerk within 3 business days from your wedding date (either mail or in person).
There’s no place for you to sign the license the day of the wedding. You sign the license at the clerk’s office. They are the notaries who check your ID’s to make sure you aren’t marrying your second cousin.
A witness signature is not required on the license the day of the wedding, only the legal officiant’s name and signature. But if your grandma insists on signing, we’ll let her have her time in the spotlight.
The clerk will record your marriage, & then some counties automatically mail you the certified copy. Other counties do not auto-mail it. You have to beg for it (request).
In whichever county you get your license, ask the clerk how you get your certified copy and how long it’ll take so you’ll know when you will get your official “We did it!” proof.
Remember lovebirds, a smooth license process means you can focus on your vows, eating cake & showing off your epic dance moves. So don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions.