Secret ceremony?
November 19, 2008
Thinking of signing the license before the big day? This has been a hot topic as of late and there are many reasons why a couple would want to be legally married before the public ceremony.
Health insurance is a biggie! One of my couples signed their license 10 months before the wedding saving over 4k on the bride's insurance. This financed the HM in style!
Pregnancy, immigration, being able to file a joint tax return, even astrological reasons are all perfectly valid reasons why the public expression of your love and the day you make it a matter of public record need not be the same date.
What some of my couples have done to get the legal benefits yet still keep some aspect of a change in status on the wedding day, is to apply for the first license with no change of name. When the wedding day comes they get a second license on which they do take the Groom's last name. For many this really does make a distinction between the contractual and spiritual / emotional part of marriage.
What if we didn't tell anyone we're already married?
This is your choice and many do keep it a secret. As for the paperwork, there is a little box the clerk checks that says second ceremony and believe me no one has ever noticed or questioned this.
In this economy there is nothing wrong with thinking out of the box. I charge no additional fee to the couples I will be marrying at a later date and for everyone else it is just $75.00.
Health insurance is a biggie! One of my couples signed their license 10 months before the wedding saving over 4k on the bride's insurance. This financed the HM in style!
Pregnancy, immigration, being able to file a joint tax return, even astrological reasons are all perfectly valid reasons why the public expression of your love and the day you make it a matter of public record need not be the same date.
What some of my couples have done to get the legal benefits yet still keep some aspect of a change in status on the wedding day, is to apply for the first license with no change of name. When the wedding day comes they get a second license on which they do take the Groom's last name. For many this really does make a distinction between the contractual and spiritual / emotional part of marriage.
What if we didn't tell anyone we're already married?
This is your choice and many do keep it a secret. As for the paperwork, there is a little box the clerk checks that says second ceremony and believe me no one has ever noticed or questioned this.
In this economy there is nothing wrong with thinking out of the box. I charge no additional fee to the couples I will be marrying at a later date and for everyone else it is just $75.00.
