Getting married is one of the most exciting things you can do. You are about to commit to the person you love the most and start a new life together. It really is an exciting time. But how do you get married? You’ve either proposed or said yes and told family and friends and posted it to social media but now what? What do you need to do to actually get married and start the next chapter of your lives? In this article, we’ll answer that question.
The legal side of marriage
The thought of saying “I do” and spending the rest of your days together is romantic, but before you can have a wedding you’ll need to take care of some legal things first. This can vary depending on the state but here in Ohio the process is pretty simple. According to Probatect.org
“Each applicant must each have a government issued photo ID (i.e., Driver's License, State ID, passport, VISA, etc.).
Ohio residents wanting to marry in Ohio, must apply in the county where they reside. Out of state residents getting married in Ohio, must apply in the county in which they are getting married. Ohio residents getting married in another state or country, must apply in the state or country in which they are getting married.
If either applicant has been married before, then a certified copy of the Decree of Divorce (or Dissolution) must be presented. Note: the copy of the decree presented should have the proper stamps and signatures showing it was in fact entered in the Court, and we do not accept copies of separation agreements or custody papers. Decrees written in a foreign language must be translated into the English language with a certification from the translator that the translation is true and accurate. If either applicant is a widow or widower we do not require a Death Certificate.”
Create a guest list
Now that you know how to legally get married you’ll want to take the next steps. One thing you and your partner will want to do is create a guest list. This should be done before picking a venue or food since you’ll need to know roughly how many people will be in attendance.
Your guest list should include close friends and family, the folks in the wedding party, and others that you want to share this special occasion with.
Pick a venue
Since you have a list of all the people you want to invite you can now go out and find a venue that can accommodate your guests. You’ll want to make sure that the venue has space for the ceremony, food, and tables. Another thing to consider is parking. Luckily, here at the Bushnell Event Center, we are surrounded by great and close parking while being in the heart of a vibrant downtown area.
Set a date
So, you have a guest list, a venue, and an understanding of how to legally get married. Now you need to set a date for your big day! Some venues will be booked on certain days as they are in high demand so coordinate with your venue manager on a date that works best for your wedding. Some venues will offer special deals for “off-season” or to bring in new business.
Get a wedding planner
The easy stuff is out of the way. But now comes the more challenging stuff. That’s why we recommend that you work with a wedding planner. A good and reliable wedding planner will help keep everything organized and make the entire process less stressful. In fact, if you want to learn more about why hiring a wedding planner is a good decision, check out our article on Why You Need An Event Planner.
Start eating cake
One of the most enjoyable and delicious parts of planning a wedding is cake tastings. Find a cake that you’ll really enjoy during your special day. It should be something that you both can enjoy together. You also will be able to pick the style and decorations that come with it - how fun!
The meal
You’re going to be hungry after all the excitement of cementing your love for your new spouse. Not to mention that your guests have been waiting and may be getting hungry. So, you’ll need to figure out what you’re all going to eat! You have a few different options. You can do a buffet style and let people eat as much as they please or you can have them pick a single meal, typically a vegetarian, fish, and meat option.
Choosing a theme
Each wedding has a theme. It may not be like a prom theme featuring the ocean or the wild designs of the 80s. Usually, a wedding theme is the colors and aesthetics of the event. Your wedding planner should have some examples to show you of different themes and decorations that work well together for you to choose from.
Well, now you have a better idea of what it takes to get married. Now, go do it!