10 Basic Steps to Getting Married and Living Happily Ever After

When you’re young and dreaming of your future spouse and marriage, your mind is filled with all sorts of fanfare. You don’t think about any tedious rituals, responsibilities, or any specific steps to get married.

All you think is about the dress, the flowers, the cake, the rings. Wouldn’t it be amazing to have everyone you love there to be part of it with you? It all seems so important and grand.

Then when you grow up and meet the man or woman of your dreams, you can hardly believe it’s real.

Now you get to plan the wedding you always dreamed of. You painstakingly take care of every detail and spend all of your extra time and money on the wedding plans. You want it to be absolutely perfect.

The funny thing is, it really takes very little for you actually to be married to someone. In essence, you just need someone to marry, a marriage license, an officiator, and some witnesses. That’s it!

Of course, you can certainly do all that other stuff, like cake and dancing and presents. It’s a tradition. Even though it’s not required, it’s pretty fun.

Whether you’re having the wedding of the century or just keeping it to you and your spouse-to-be, most everyone follows the same necessary steps to getting married.

What is the process of getting married?

How do you get married? If you want to get married, go to your man or woman of your dreams as soon as possible. The wedding ceremony generates a profound spiritual and physical bond between a man and his wife, and socially between two families.

It is required by society to make the marriage union legally binding in the court of law and obtaining legal marriage documents. However, because the marriage requirements vary from state to state, you can find out what the law of your state says or you may seek advice from a family law attorney.

If you are planning to get married, or have already scheduled a date, you may find the following before marriage checklist tips very useful.

Getting a marriage license

Legal things to do before you get married include obtaining a marriage license.

A marriage license is a document issued, either by a religious organization or state authority, authorizing a couple to marry. You can obtain your marriage paperwork or marriage license at the local town or city clerk’s office and occasionally in the county where you plan to get married.

Since these requirements vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, you should check the requirement with your local marriage license office, county clerk, or family law attorney.

Also, watch this video on how to get a marriage certificate:

Requirements for marriage green card

The legal requirements for marriage vary from state to state.

Some of these requirements to get married are marriage licenses, blood tests, residency requirements, and much more.

So, what do you need to get married? Here’s an important item to check off in getting married checklist.

You need to ensure, before you get married, that you have fulfilled all your state’s required marriage requirements before your wedding day:

• Immigration violation records, if applicable
• Medical examination document
• Birth certificate
• Court, police, and prison records, if applicable
• Proof of sponsor’s U.S. citizenship or permanent residence
• Financial documents
• Police clearance certificate, if applicable
• Proof of lawful U.S. entry and status, if applicable
• Prior-marriage termination papers, if applicable
• Military records, if applicable
• Current/expired U.S. visa(s)

10 basic steps to getting married and living happily ever after

So, if you are wondering how to get married or what is the process of marriage, look no further. You are just in the right place.

Recommended – Pre Marriage Course

Here are the six basic steps on how to get married.

1. Find someone you like a lot

Finding someone you love a lot is one of the first marriage steps  to getting married, which is very obvious.

Although finding the right partner is one of the first steps to getting married, this may be the longest and most involved step of the whole process.

If you are single, you’ll need to meet people, spend time together, date a lot, and narrow it down to one, and then fall in love with someone. Also, make sure the person loves you back!

Then comes meeting each other’s families, talking about your futures, and making sure you’re going to be compatible long-term. If after you’ve been together for a while and you still like each other, you’re golden. You can then move on to step 2.

2. Propose to your honey or accept a proposal

After you’ve been serious for a while, bring up the subject of the marriage process. If your sweetheart reacts favorably, you’re in the clear. Go ahead and propose.

You can do something grand, like hiring a plane to write in the sky, or just getting down on one knee and asking straight out. Don’t forget the ring.

Or if you’re not the one proposing, simply keep hunting until he asks, and then, accept the proposal. You are officially engaged! Engagements can last anywhere from minutes to years—it’s really up to both of you.

The proposal is another crucial step before you plunge into the full-fledged process of getting married.

Related Reading: 6 Different Ways to Propose That Are Perfect for All Couples

3. Set a date and plan the wedding

This will likely be the second most extended part of the process to getting married. Most brides want about a year to plan, and you both need a year to be able to pay for it all.

Or, if you’re both ok with doing something small, then go that route as there are no definite ways to get married. At any rate, set a date you both can agree on.

Then get a dress and a tux, invite your friends and family, and if it’s on the menu, plan a wedding reception with cake, food, music, and décor that reflects both of you. Eventually, all that matters is that both of you should be happy with the way your marriage is solemnized.

4. Get a marriage license

If you are wondering how to get legally married, then get a marriage license!

Marriage registration is one of the primary and unavoidable steps to getting married. If you are not clear on how to go about the process, you might get flustered at the end, thinking about ‘how to get a marriage license‘ and ‘where to get a marriage license.’

The particulars of this step vary from state to state. But basically, call your local courthouse and ask when and where you need to apply for a marriage license.

Be sure to ask if how old you both need to be, how much it costs, what forms of ID you need to bring along when you pick it up, and how long you have from application until expiration (some also have a waiting period of one or more days from when you apply until when you are able to use it).

Also, there are a few states that require a blood test. So, make an inquiry regarding what you need for a marriage license and make sure that you are aware of the requirements for marriage pertaining to your state.

Typically then the officiator who marries you has the marriage certificate, which they sign, you sign, and two witnesses sign, and then the officiator files it with the court. Then you’ll receive a copy in the mail in a few weeks.

Related Reading: How Do You Get a Marriage License?

5. Prenuptial agreements

A prenuptial (or “pre-marital”) agreement can assist to specify the property and financial rights and obligations of the people who are about to be spouses. 

It also includes the rights and obligations that the couples have to adhere to if their marriage relationship ends.

Your checklist before marriage should include understanding how a prenuptial agreement works.

It is a common legal step taken before marriage that outlines the state of finances and personal liabilities, in case a marriage does not work out and the couple decides to call it quits.

A prenuptial agreement can be really instrumental in building a healthy marriage, and preventing divorces.

If you are planning to enter into a premarital agreement, you need to be fully aware of what the law requires to be done to ensure that the agreement is legally considered valid and enforceable.

6. Find an officiant to marry you

If you’re getting married at the courthouse, then while you’re on step 4, just ask who can marry you and when- typically a judge, justice of the peace or a court clerk.

If you’re getting married somewhere else, get an officiator who is authorized to solemnize your marriage in your state. For a religious ceremony, a member of the clergy will work.

Different people charge differently for these services, so ask for rates and availability. Always place a reminder call the week/day before.

7. Show up and say, “I Do.”

Are you still thinking about how to get married, or what are the steps to getting married?

There is just one more step left.

Now you just have to show up and get hitched!

Get dressed in your best duds, head to your destination, and walk down the aisle. You can say vows (or not), but really, all you have to say is “I do.” Once you are pronounced a married couple, let the fun begin!

8. Marriage ceremonies

A good number of states have legal requirements regarding the marriage ceremony itself. It would also be helpful to look for what to do before getting married online for a state’s legal requirements about the marriage. 

This includes- who can perform the wedding ceremony and is there supposed to be a witness in the ceremony. The ceremony can be performed by either a justice of the peace or a minister.

Related Reading: Tips on How You Can Plan a Modern Wedding Ceremony

9. Altering your name after marriage

Marriage is a life-changing decision for everyone. For some of you, changing your last name is what changes legally when you get married.

After marriage, neither spouse is legally bound to take the other spouse’s surname, but a lot of new spouses decide to do so for customary and symbolic reasons.

One of the things to do before you get married is deciding whether to alter your name after marriage or not. 

There are a few things you can do to facilitate the change of name as fast as possible. Something you need to incorporate in getting married checklist.

10. The marriage, money, and property issue

After marriage, your property and finances will, to a specific extent, be combined with those of your spouse. That’s what legally changes when you get married, as marriage entails certain legal implications when it comes to matters of money, debt, and property. 

As key steps to marriage, you ought to be aware of what is included as marital or “community” property, and know how to keep certain assets as separate property if you intend to do that.

Other financial matters or things to consider before getting married include previous debts and tax considerations.

Takeaway

Hope these steps to marriage are pretty easy to comprehend and follow. If you are thinking of skipping any steps to getting married, sorry, you can’t!

So, get going with your wedding planning and preparations well in time so that you don’t end up rushing at the last moment. Wedding day is the time that you should enjoy to your fullest and leave no scope for any additional stress!

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Draven Porter Author

Draven Porter is an esteemed relationship writer who delves deep into the complexities of human connection. With a background in psychology, Draven’s writing is known for its powerful insights and thoughtful analysis. When not... Read more writing, Draven can be found exploring his passion for music and attending concerts. Draven’s unique perspective on relationships is rooted in his fascination with different cultures and he enjoys immersing himself in new experiences through travel and trying out exotic cuisines. Read less