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Champion June 2019

Signing marriage license during the ceremony

Gen, on August 4, 2018 at 9:39 PM Posted in Wedding Ceremony 0 27

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We really like the idea of signing our marriage license during the ceremony! Has anyone else done this?

We are thinking of putting it after exchanging the rings and right before the breaking of the glass (we’re Jewish) and the pronouncement (so the order would be: rings, signing license, breaking glass, pronouncement). Does this seem like the right place to put it?

Also, we’re struggling to find a way for the officiant to introduce the license-signing part of the ceremony. We’re thinking something like: “will the witnesses please join us for the signing of the marriage license” but we’re not crazy about that wording... any suggestions would be appreciated!

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27 Comments

Latest activity by Gen, on July 3, 2019 at 3:08 PM

VIP June 2019
Cheryl&rock · on August 4, 2018 at 9:43 PM
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Will the witnesses please join us.
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Dedicated October 2019
Future Mrs. B · on August 4, 2018 at 9:45 PM
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In England you do this, you literally sign it during the ceremony. My first marriage, we did this. I was so nervous (and knew I was making a mistake) that my signature was terrible.
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Expert October 2018
Fiona · on August 4, 2018 at 9:50 PM
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Yes I’m England they do this. It’s super sweet and I have been to a couple English weddings (my family is from there and moved here 28 years ago). I will say that it takes a little bit of time and the audience just has to kind of wait around and people began talking amoungst themselves. But it was cute to witness the actual signing.
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Champion June 2019
Gen · on August 4, 2018 at 9:53 PM
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Wait this may be a dumb question but how does it take so long? Is there more to it than just signing your names?
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VIP July 2018
AQuixoticBride · on August 4, 2018 at 10:07 PM
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Five people have to sign, the spouses, two witnesses, and the officiant. We did this after our rehearsal (officiant signed on our wedding day) and it took about five minutes (point to where to sign, get pen, doublecheck you're signing in the right spot, sign x 5) That's not a lot of time, but it can be if you're just watching it.

We had too much going on to do it during our ceremony, but I think it's a great idea. After the vows seems good to me.
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Expert October 2018
Fiona · on August 4, 2018 at 10:26 PM
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Right as said above it’s 5 minutes or so. I think some have even been a few minutes longer. Lots of signatures but also think of it as signing a contract. They also read certain parts and verbally confirm that you are that person so on and so on. So I guess long isn’t a great term but I’ll tell ya what it feels like ages in the audience. It was sweet though so if you want to do it go for it but be prepared to have to regain peoples attentions cause they will drift off while it’s happening.
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Expert October 2017
Shannon · on August 4, 2018 at 11:06 PM
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In Ohio you don't have to sign the marriage license after getting married you sign when you pick up your liscense before getting married. Only the officiant signs it afterwards and no witnesses are needed.
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Champion June 2019
Gen · on August 4, 2018 at 11:47 PM
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Ah gotcha ok! Thank you!!
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Dedicated August 2018
Love818 · on August 5, 2018 at 12:18 AM
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We are signing ours during ceremony and I'm going to have the mc/dj play a song while we do it.
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Dedicated March 2020
Kaylan · on August 5, 2018 at 4:24 AM
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That sounds like a lovely idea. It is a part of the ceremony that is not usually seen. I would give your idea to the officiant and see if they have any ideas on wording.
I considered haveing a signing during the ceremony but in Florida you sign when you pick up you licence and you do not need witnesses. We might settle for a Facebook relationship status change before the pronouncement.
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Super November 2018
Kiwibride · on August 5, 2018 at 4:38 AM
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It's normal here in NZ to sign it during the ceremony. Our officiant asked us to choose two songs to play in the background during it so that the guests won't be sitting in silence. That seemed excessive at first but I guess it will take one and a bit songs to finish up and all get back into place
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Devoted July 2018
TeamTurnage12 · on August 5, 2018 at 4:42 AM
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In NC I have never heard of this .... however I think this is a nice touch 😁. I say go for it.

The minister can say.... Now at this time the couple would like to sign their ML . Etc 😁something like that.
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Beginner January 2019
Destiny · on August 6, 2018 at 12:43 AM
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I saw it done for the first time about a year ago at a wedding I went to and I loved it so much I’m definitely doing it!! It was soooo sweet!!
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Master September 2018
Tara · on August 6, 2018 at 12:49 AM
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I was planning on it but now knowing it takes a few mimutes we will probably do it at rehearsal as pp said
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Devoted October 2019
Victoria · on August 6, 2018 at 12:51 AM
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I really like this idea and hadn’t thought of it myself! Now, I’m thinking that I might try to incorporate this!!
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Champion June 2019
Gen · on August 6, 2018 at 9:26 AM
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How long did it take at the wedding you went to?
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VIP October 2018
Happily Ever Mrs. H · on August 6, 2018 at 9:33 AM
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I think it depends on your state, but you might have to do this prior to your actual wedding. I'd double-check on your state's requirements.
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Beginner January 2019
Destiny · on August 6, 2018 at 11:36 AM
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It wasn’t very long at all, there wasn’t any dead space. Probably 3-5 minutes total including the photographer posing them quickly
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Champion June 2019
Gen · on August 6, 2018 at 11:38 AM
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Oh that’s not bad! Did they play music or something during it? I’m debating playing music or maybe having my officiant (or someone else) do a reading during it to keep the guests entertained...?
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Beginner January 2019
Destiny · on August 6, 2018 at 11:41 AM
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They played music! It was an instrumental so it looped somewhat seemlessly
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Signing marriage license during the ceremony

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