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Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Looking for a cheap wedding?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Love is grand. Wedding ceremonies are twenty grand.
Minister, florist, limos, cake baker.
Pianist, caterer, wedding planner, dressmaker.
Can’t you hear the never-ending sound of the cash register?
At the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville, taking on a better half doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You can also eliminate months of Runaway Bride-style wedding planning since getting married here is as simple as two-stop shopping.
First stop, Probate Court for the marriage license. Show some government-issued ID, sign a few dotted lines, swear to your identity, and pay the grand total of $51.
Or take a qualifying premarital education course from a man (or woman) of the cloth, or a shrink with a legitimate degree and a good leather couch. Taking six hours of certified premarital education before you apply means your marriage license is only $16.
Next stop, Magistrate Court. Same building. Same address. Just show up during business hours and pay zero dollars and zero cents. But swear to be a good spouse, so help you God. Amen.
The downside?
There are no Saturday weddings, no Christmas ceremonies or November nuptials right before the Thanksgiving turkey is carved because the courthouse is closed on holidays and weekends. There are no elaborate decorations, or long prayers and salutations. But for $0 what more do you want?
As for the 16- and 17-year-olds thinking dressing up for the prom just wasn’t exciting enough, a new law regarding applying for marriage licenses was enacted just for you last month.
Beginning July 1, both parents are legally required to be present and sign their consent for their 16- and 17-year-olds applying. No more 55-hour “Oops, I made a mistake!” weddings like your favorite pop star Britney Spears did before she dumped that boyfriend.
Considering the obscene amount of money my parents spent on a wedding that ended in divorce, I’d say “I do” next time on Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. I’d let a judge confine me to a lifetime of arguing about which way the toilet paper should hang.
With divorce rates hovering around 50 percent in this country, does it really matter where the knot is tied? Or would it feel strange to tie on a spouse at the courthouse?
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