Wedding Blog
During dessert, we invited our guests to witness our license signing. So, as they sipped on French-pressed coffee and savored the baked goods, we called them to gather ’round, and then we took one of the final steps toward making our marriage official.
There was no real ceremony to it - we simply set our Flathead County marriage license on the now-empty buffet table, brought over our official witnesses and officiant, and got out a fancy pen. Then, after Cathy filled in the blanks with her lovely, legible printing, we all signed on the dotted line!
The first to sign was Mr. Cherry Pie, so I had to watch over his shoulder and make sure he didn’t mess up. We only had one official copy, after all…
He had a steady hand…
… but look at his face! Surely he was imagining SOME shenanigans, like signing our married name “McBeebleblobber”.
Next, it was my turn to sign, for the first time, my new legal name (Speyer)… Glee!!
Our official witnesses, Maid of Honor, Rachel, and Best Man, Micah, stood by… um, witnessing.
They were good at their job, which I guess came down to making sure we weren’t being coerced into marriage and that we signed the license on the right lines. I tried my best to make my new signature look as authentic and elegant as possible, but despite my best efforts, it’s still crappy compared to how I now sign my name…
After we signed, our witnesses certified our marriage. First Rachel…
Then Micah…
After they signed, we only had one final signature before our marriage was (almost) entirely official! We passed the pen to Cathy (who only had to list her qualifications as a “dear friend” to perform our marriage in Montana) and she did the ultimate honor of finalizing our union…
Then, with great cheer, we were again declared husband and wife in front of all our guests. [Pending certification by the state.]
Hoorah!!!! Let’s party!!!
Freed from having to take formal pictures, greet guests, and oblige in serious traditions for the rest of the evening, I decided it was time to break out the hip flask and get my drink on. I’d had a little wine and champagne with dinner, but hadn’t yet been able to sample the “purple stuff” or our other homemade liquor infusions. As we were about to begin dancing, I thought it was high time to loosen up a little. A shot of Aberlour 12 Year Scotch Whiskey was just the ticket. Cheers!
Coming soon, individual portraits of the bride, groom, and guests, and our first dance gets the hoedown started…
[Credits: All images courtesy of Piknik Studios.]
Previously:
Married in Montana: The Rehearsal
Married in Montana: The Girls Get Ready
Married in Montana: The Guys Get Ready
Married in Montana: The Bus Ride to Polebridge
Married in Montana: Pre-Ceremony Preparations
Married in Montana: Staging the Ceremony
Married in Montana: Our Wedding Ceremony (Part 1 of 2)
Married in Montana: Our Wedding Ceremony (Part 2 of 2)
Married in Montana: Receiving Line & Refreshments
Married in Montana: Cocktail Hour
Married in Montana: Bride & Groom Portraits
Married in Montana: Family Photos
Married in Montana: Wedding Party Portraits
Married in Montana: Our Rustic Reception
Married in Montana: Toasting
Married in Montana: Just Desserts
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I was one of Sister and BIL Bruschetta’s witnesses. It’s cute that you made it a little “ceremony” of its own!
And kudos for serving French press coffee — only way to drink it, IMO.
So you signed your married name? I always thought marriage licenses were signed with your maiden name, since it is the single you marrying the single him?
@lou: You know, I’d have to check, but I’m pretty sure I printed my maiden name and then my married name and signed my married name, as per the instructions. I’ll look when I get home. 
It might be weird in Montana, who knows.
No, you can sign with your new married name. I did that on my previous marriage license and I plan to do that on my new one.
@Mrs. Cherry Pie:
Don’t worry, I’m sure you did it right! I’m just thinking of UK processes, but I guess it must be different over here.
Every time I see your pics- I get so jealous of your makeup!! It’s so perfect!!!
That’s a cool necklace. I just noticed it. Were you wearing it the whole time? Is it leather string with pearls on it?
I love that everyone witness you guys signing the certificate I think I might copy…er borrow, that.
Hahah I don’t know why my hands were shaking as you guys signed the certificate (while thinking of doing mine).. i tend to butcher my signature for important documents… oops haha
I just love your recaps. You are beautiful! And I love that everyone got to see this part of the day.
Congrats (again!!)! Can’t wait to see the dancin’ pics!
Great photos!!! Though they made me remember to be mad at our ‘wedding coordinator’ again for forgetting to bring us a marriage certificate we could sign at our destination as a keepsake. ARGH.
@Miss Peep Toe: Funny that you said that, I was just going to mention to Mrs. CP: I’m using your make up as my inspiration for my trial! You did a fantastic job!
You are so photogenic Mrs. CP! You make drinking out of a flask look so glamourous!!
@Miss Kitten: Haha, thanks! I lovez my booze. NOM NOM NOM. In fact, I need some right now…LONG DAY.
@LatteLove: Thank you! You’ve seen my list of products, right?
http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/08/01/putting-on-a-pretty-face/
@LzzNYC: Yeah, my sig always looks the best on grocery receipts and the worst on things that matter. 
I knew I forgot something on my timeline!!! SO IMPORTANT and I want my photogs to shoot this too!
Plus now I have to start practicing signing my MARRIED NAME!! YIKES!! I don’t want my signature to look all wierd! (It doesn’t help that my FI’s signature looks like artwork…but he’s you know worked on it his whole life! No fair!)
As always, loving your look. You’re a freakin wedding mag model, I swear! Look at those lashes!!
@MightySapphire: Ahh, those lashes looked so good but they made my eyes feel so weird. Not BAD, mind you, but WEIRD. I eventually took them off. Hee hee. Faux lashes are great, but I mess with them way too much to wear them any time other than when I am under constant scrutiny to prevent pulling them off.
I love all of your pics…I can’t believe how stunning you are and how adorable Mr. CP is
Your recaps are the best! Looking forward to the next post…
The way the law is written in Montana (I’m not sure about other states) is that the wedding certificate also serves as your official documentation of name change. If you sign your name on the document as your maiden name, you get no name change unless you want to do an additional form.
If you sign it, as Mrs. CP pointed out, as McBeebleblobber…well that’s what you get.
The clerk even reminded CP to sign with her new name, that way the marriage license serves as documentation of name change when you have to get your new social security card, driver’s license, etc.
As an aside, a certain online video game I’m addicted to also requires a marriage license to merge accounts from people with different last names. I mean…so I hear.
You look gorgeous, as you have the whole day! I was wondering, where did you get your shrug/bolero? I have been trying to find something similar but haven’t found what I’m looking for yet
@MrsSl82be: Thanks! It’s an ivory pashmina that I have tied behind my back. You can find them on eBay for about $7.
@Andrea: I was not wearing it the whole time, you’re very astute! I put on the necklace after the ceremony and earlier portraits. I started out the day with just earrings, then I put on my veil, then I removed the veil and added my hair flower, then I put on the necklace.
It’s a leather cord with akoya pearls by a designer called Gypsie Bella. They’re apparently ridiculously hard to get a hold of (I tried to have them custom make me matching earrings) because they’re real “gypsies.” I found it at Willow and Bloom in Seattle, which now has similar necklaces by local designer India Blu (who ended up making my earrings for me).
I have absolutly fallen in love with your wedding! lol
I’m going to go ahead an’ let you know i’m going to borrow some of your ideas!
Congratulations to you both!
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Miss Cherry Pie, Seattle/Polebridge, Montana
Age and Occupation: 25, Marketing Communications Specialist
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Nurse Practitioner
Engagement Date: August 26, 2006
Wedding Date: September 2008
Blogging Since: April 1, 2008
Venue: A tiny town just outside of Glacier National Park
About Me: I think of life as a journey and I love the places it's taking me! I went to school to study Magazine Journalism, ended up with a second major in Japanese language, and now work at a company that makes software for libraries. I love writing, computers, photography, and the great outdoors. I spend most of my time playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band or geeking out online with Mr. Cherry Pie. I'm happiest when I'm on the road, especially traveling abroad, or just nesting quietly at home with my sweetie, who is a fabulous cook and bakes a delicious rendition of a certain cherry-filled dessert!
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