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Marriage License!


In order to get legally married, you absolutely can't forget the marriage license. We'd been putting it off a bit as I tried to research ways I could make it easier to change my name later (apparently in Nevada it's crazy challenging to make your maiden name your middle name--that may change with a new law starting January 1, 2018, but sadly too late for us). But ultimately we picked a day, both took off from work, and headed to the Marriage License Bureau downtown. I was slightly familiar with the area only because I'd taught a research skills session for a business class that was being held in the courthouse there. After I briefly contemplated a courthouse elopement that day (I had dressed up after all), we found the Marriage License Bureau, snapped a picture of the sign, and headed inside.

Unlike other government offices I've been to, the line at this one was fairly short, and everyone waiting seemed to be in good spirits (given the nature of their request), including the friendly clerks at the counters. Since we'd already pre-applied online, all we had to do to complete the process was show our IDs, correct any final changes, and sign our names.

Though definitely more modern, I still felt that old Normal Rockwell vibe in my tea-length white dress and white gloves (which I brought but didn't wear given the fact that I needed my fingers free). The process was quick, we snapped a few final pictures, and were advised to keep the paperwork together and apply for the actual marriage certificate at least 10 days after the wedding.

Then it was time to celebrate! I had planned long ago for our marriage license day to include a nice meal to commemorate the occasion as well, so I brought along the gift card bridal shower present from my bridesmaids to eat at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino's French restaurant: Mon Ami Gabi.

You don't understand--I've been waiting to eat at this restaurant since high school (it first opened in 1999, and I graduated in 2004). I still remember my classmates in Journalism raving about the food and atmosphere of Mon Ami Gabi for prom. While I'm sure eating during the day was slightly different than their evening prom experiences (no Bellagio fountain show but definitely lots of crowds), we got to sit outside in great weather, partake of steak, bacon, figs, bread, soup, mushrooms, and more, and were even treated to free champagne when they found out we were celebrating our marriage license day! The gift card covered our entire meal with $2 leftover!

It definitely made for some great photos and memories. The marriage license is one little thing to check off the wedding preparation list, but why not celebrate it? It's one little thing you can't get married without, and it means you're one step closer to actually being wed!














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