Married in Montana: Making it Official

Married in Montana: Making it Official

March 11th, 2009 @ 4:50 pm by Mrs. Cherry Pie
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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.]

Tags: pictures, recap, seattle |

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29 Responses to “Married in Montana: Making it Official”

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Bee

Miss Bruschetta (message) 5,565 posts, Bee Keeper

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.

3/11/09 @ 4:52 pm (reply)

Guest

lou

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?

3/11/09 @ 5:00 pm (reply)

Bee

Mrs. Cherry Pie (message) 884 posts, Busy bee

@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.

3/11/09 @ 5:03 pm (reply)

Guest

Wendy

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.

3/11/09 @ 5:04 pm (reply)

Guest

lou

@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.

3/11/09 @ 5:10 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Peep Toe (message) 1,804 posts, Buzzing bee

Every time I see your pics- I get so jealous of your makeup!! It’s so perfect!!!

3/11/09 @ 5:11 pm (reply)

Bee

Mrs. Cherry Pie (message) 884 posts, Busy bee

@Miss Peep Toe: Thanks, Peep!!! I did it myself.

3/11/09 @ 5:12 pm (reply)

Guest

Andrea

That’s a cool necklace. I just noticed it. Were you wearing it the whole time? Is it leather string with pearls on it?

3/11/09 @ 5:17 pm (reply)

Bee

frenchbulldog (message) 7,730 posts, Bee Keeper

I love that everyone witness you guys signing the certificate I think I might copy…er borrow, that.

3/11/09 @ 5:19 pm (reply)

10.

Member

agrosses (message) 98 posts, Worker bee

I love the way your wrap looks with your dress - perfect!

3/11/09 @ 5:27 pm (reply)

11.

Member

LzzNYC (message) 882 posts, Busy bee

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

3/11/09 @ 5:48 pm (reply)

12.

Bee

Miss Duckling (message) 1,415 posts, Bumble bee

I just love your recaps. You are beautiful! And I love that everyone got to see this part of the day.

3/11/09 @ 5:58 pm (reply)

13.

Bee

Miss Quiche (message) 3,157 posts, Sugar bee

Congrats (again!!)! Can’t wait to see the dancin’ pics!

3/11/09 @ 5:58 pm (reply)

14.

Bee

Mrs. Sea Breeze (message) 972 posts, Busy bee

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.

3/11/09 @ 7:24 pm (reply)

15.

Hostess

LatteLove (message) 5,587 posts, Bee Keeper

@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!

3/11/09 @ 8:07 pm (reply)

16.

Bee

Miss Kitten (message) 868 posts, Busy bee

You are so photogenic Mrs. CP! You make drinking out of a flask look so glamourous!!

3/11/09 @ 8:12 pm (reply)

17.

Bee

Mrs. Cherry Pie (message) 884 posts, Busy bee

@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/

3/11/09 @ 8:45 pm (reply)

18.

Bee

Mrs. Cherry Pie (message) 884 posts, Busy bee

@LzzNYC: Yeah, my sig always looks the best on grocery receipts and the worst on things that matter.

3/11/09 @ 8:46 pm (reply)

19.

Hostess

MightySapphire (message) 7,632 posts, Bee Keeper

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!!

3/11/09 @ 8:48 pm (reply)

20.

Bee

Mrs. Cherry Pie (message) 884 posts, Busy bee

@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.

3/11/09 @ 8:53 pm (reply)

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