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Back when brides and grooms were most-often married by “professionals”—priests, rabbis, justices of the peace—this wasn’t a problem. But now that many couples are opting to get married by friends and relatives, couples are...
Forgetting to get their marriage license. (Seriously. Not naming names but this has happened to a few couples I know.)
D’oh!
Obviously that’s a major oversight, but—unlike someone who marries people for a living—your groom’s fraternity brother or your college roommate probably aren’t familiar with the legalities behind marriage. Where a justice of the peace might have printouts of your marriage license application, your Aunt Marjorie is probably too busy worrying about bumbling her lines to remind you to review the local marriage laws.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t get married by a friend {We were! } but if that’s your plan, make sure you’re super-clear on the local laws, which vary by state, county—even town to town. And if you’re planning a destination wedding, triple-check the requirements. You may have to get blood tests or even establish residency ahead of your wedding.
Did you remember your marriage license? Did you have to jump through hoops to get it?