Here Comes the Bride 
Government Resources for Weddings

A wedding is one of the most blissful events in a person's life.  It can also be one of the most stressful celebrations to plan.  Government agencies do not readily come to mind as a useful resource for wedding planning.  But there are some very informative web sites on the Internet today that could ease the troubled minds of many brides and grooms.  This guide has a selection of some of these beneficial sites, with an emphasis on marriage licenses in the United States and abroad.

State Specific Information (a sample)

This is a sample of some of the more interesting and useful web sites related to weddings at a state level.

California
     Californians and the Marriage Penalty
      http://www.lao.ca.gov/1999_reports/121699_marriage_penalty.html
      This article attacks the issue of the "marriage penalty" couples receive when their taxes are raised as a couple compared to as two single persons.  It addresses itself specifically to those living in California, but it explains the situation in a way that can be useful to other Americans as well.

Hawaii
     A Guide to Getting Married in Hawai'i
      http://www.state.hi.us/doh/records/vr_marri.html
       Created by the Hawaii Department of Health, this web page has basic information on how to obtain a marriage license in Hawaii.  You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer in order to download the license application itself.  (This software is available for free at http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep.html.)

Massachusetts
     How to Obtain a Marriage License in Massachusetts
      http://www.state.ma.us/sec/cis/cismrg/mrgidx.htm
      This web page, published by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, covers all of the basics a couple would need to legally wed in this state.  There is also detailed contact information if you want to learn more.

Nevada
     Marriage Information from the Nevada Commission on Tourism
      http://travelnevada.com/visitor_info/marriage.html
      This web page has addresses and phone numbers for marriage license bureaus throughout Nevada, plus general information on the requirements for a legal wedding.

New Hampshire
     Who Can Perform Marriages in New Hampshire
      http://webster.state.nh.us/sos/marriage.htm
       The New Hampshire Department of State has this web page, which gives information on who is legally entitled to perform marriage ceremonies in the state.  It includes phone numbers to call for more information.

New Jersey
     How to Obtain a Marriage License in New Jersey
      http://www.state.nj.us/wedlic.html
      This web page gives basic information on how to get a state marriage license.  You will need to go to a municipal office for more detailed information.

New York
     I  Romantic Getaways
      http://www.state.ny.us/
      This web page has eight suggestions for special vacations just for two in New York State.  The page can be found by clicking on "Tourism," then on "Travel Ideas," and finally on "Romance."

     Paperwork: Marriage Licenses and Partnership Certification
      http://pubadvocate.nyc.gov/svisdetail.cfm?id1=17&id2=128
      The New York City Public Advocate includes this web page of basic information on where to obtain a marriage license in the Big Apple.  It includes addresses and hours for each borrough.

North Carolina
     Frequently Asked Questions about Vital Records
      http://www.schs.state.nc.us/SCHS/faqs/vr_faq.cfm?faq=7
      The North Carolina Center for Health Statistics has a list of FAQs, and the last one deals with marriage.  It recommends that you contact the register of deeds office in a specific county for more information, and it provides a link to the county offices.

Vermont
     Weddings in Vermont Page
      http://www.state.vt.us/travel/repage/wedding.htm
      This web page has background information on Vermont weddings, plus links to other web sites, such as Vermont Weddings.com.  It is produced by the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing.

     Getting Married in Vermont
      http://www.state.vt.us/health/marriage.pdf
      The Vermont Department of Health produced this two-page brochure to answer common questions related to Vermont weddings.  In order to open this document, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.

Virginia
     Virginia Brides
      http://www.gatewayva.com/pages/brides/index.htm
       Gateway Virginia, a private web site from Media General, hosts this web site devoted to everything associated with weddings in Virginia.  It has a link from the state government's web site.

Marrying Outside of the United States (a sample)

Marriage of United States Citizens Abroad
http://travel.state.gov/marriage.html
A web page that answers basic questions on marrying outside of the United States.  It is produced by the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the U.S. State Department.

Marriage Celebrants Program (Australia)
http://law.gov.au/aghome/commaff/fllad/celebrants.html
Not only does this web site have information on getting married, but it also tells you how to become a civil or religious marriage celebrant.  It was developed by the Attorney-General's Department, and has useful addresses and phone numbers, too.

Getting Married in China
http://www.usembassy-china.org.cn/english/us-citizen/index.html
At this web site, click on "Marriage" to get to the web page with details on marriage in China.  It has three sections: "Basic Information about Getting Married in China," "Registering to Marry," and "Obtaining an Immigrant Visa for your Spouse."

Information for Civil Marriage (Honduras)
http://www.usembassy.state.gov/posts/ho1/wwwhbe08.html
This web page, from the Consular Section of the American Embassy in Honduras, has a list of requirements and notes for anyone wishing to get married in Honduras in a non-religious ceremony.

Information on Marriage in Indonesia for American Citizens
http://www.usembassyjakarta.org/consular/marriage.html
This web page was created by the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia for Americans wishing to marry in that country.  It includes detailed information on important documents and fees.

Marriage of American Citizens in Italy
http://travel.state.gov/italy_marriage.html
The Bureau of Consular Affairs made this information available on the Internet in March 1998.  It covers all of the necessary details and includes a list of American embassies and consulates in Italy (just in case).

Marriage in Japan
http://usembassy.state.gov/tokyo/wwwh7114.html
This web page lists the steps and documents required to get married in Japan.  It is maintained by the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Japan.

Marriage in Spain
http://travel.state.gov/spain_marriage.html
It is very difficult to get married in Spain, but this web site from the U.S. State Department explains it in detail.  It even includes a section specifically on Catholic ceremonies.

Marriage in Thailand
http://usa.or.th/embassy/mrginfo.htm
This web page lists the steps involved in a marriage between an American citizen and a Thai citizen.  It is maintained by the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.

Steps to a Turkmen Marriage
http://www.usemb-ashgabat.usia.co.at/marriage.htm
Anyone wishing to get married in Turkmenistan should visit this web page from the U.S. Embassy in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.  It is a detailed step-by-step guide for this process.

Miscellaneous Information

Department of Ministry and Pastoral Care, Walter Reed Army Medical Center: Wedding Information
http://www.wramc.amedd.army.mil/departments/dmpc/dc_area_marriage_information.htm
This web page has information for civil weddings in the District of Columbia, Montgomery County (MD), and Fairfax County (VA).  However, it was last updated June 1st, 1998, so you should contact the offices listed for more recent prices.

Welcome to the U.S.A.F. Academy Cadet Chapel Wedding Information Page!
http://www.usafa.af.mil/hc/page3-2.htm
This web page lets everyone know who is eligible to marry in the Cadet Chapel in Colorado Springs, CO.  There is further contact information if you meet the Air Force's criteria.

What Every Bride-to-be Should Know: Unveiling the Truth About Wedding Dresses
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/1999/9902/brides1.htm
An article telling women what information should be on the label of every wedding dress as required by law.  A link to a "Facts for Business" report is at the end of this article (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/wedgown.htm).

Yosemite National Park: Weddings
http://www.nps.gov/yose/permits/weddings.htm
If you would like to get married in one of the most beautiful places in the United States, then visit this web site for basic information on getting married in Yosemite National Park.  It includes a "Wedding Application Form" that can be printed out and mailed to the National Park Service.