Married without a license?

You cannot be legally proclaimed as husband and wife without a license. You won't be married.

I don't think it's an issue!

Yes, this is an issue (and HI, EricaTx!) - he needs to make time to get the license, hon.

In before the dramatic blowup.

Lively! Hola!

Is this for real?

@LivelyBride and EricaTx, she didn't say that she has plan on getting a license just that they won't have it for their ceremony. They can have a commitment ceremony, and go to city hall after and get the papers and sign them they just won't be legally married until they sign the papers.

You need it, it's non negotiable. Our priest kept stressing it over and over again.

Oof. Down to the wire on this one...

Honestly, I would do whatever you can to get it in time. For me, the wedding and the marriage need to happen on the same day...they just do. I know many people disagree, but I would feel very unauthentic without it.

Sue - but without the license, they're not married. The officiant will agree.

Why will there be a blowup? You're not legally married without getting a license.

What am I missing?

Who is marrying you? Might as well have any random person officiate if you are not going to be legally married at your ceremony. You can get the license and get married at the courthouse later, but you will not be married on your wedding day and your officiant will not proclaim you husband and wife without a license. Your officiant may not even perform the ceremony without a license. You really should discuss this with that person, not with us.

Your FH can go to his CO and ask to leave early or take an extended lunch. Without a license you won't be married, and you'll have to pay a second officiant to legally marry you.

Is this actually a serious discusiion? Why do you think they make you get a license for..

I think it depends. I can see how a priest would be strict about it, but in my case my dad will be marrying us. If for any reason we didnt have the marriage license, it wouldn't be a problem. We would perform the ceremony & reception as usual and then a few days later (or whenever you can) get the paperwork and get legally married. I personally don't think it's a big deal if your wedding date is different than the day you get married

@Sue, I would like for the day I say I do to be the day I'm legally married. I thought that's why we're doing this whole shindig. No?

Did you try calling and talking to a clerk? is there anyway to have someone with the town stay late? or make a weekend appointment? maybe a proxy some how, notarized letter stating his intent to marry you and identification for you to bring in? (that one's probably a stretch)

basically if you have your wedding ceremony with out the license it would just be symbolic and there is no legality to it so you would have to go get married again in a court house.

By definition...your wedding date...is the day you get married....

@EricaTx - I agree 100% But that doesn't mean they can't have a commitment ceremony, and like I mentioned they just won't legally be married until the papers are signed. But by OP wordings I think she's fully aware of this fact.

Mind you I didn't know officiants might have an issue without a license, but then anyone I guess can just put on the ceremony it just won't have legality until they go to city hall and process the paper work.

I'm pretty sure someone in the forums was recently talking about her friend having just a commitment ceremony without the license and they have no plans on ever legalizing it (I think it was purplekitten).