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A few days ago Mr. Swan and I made a major step towards the wedding and got our marriage license.
The process was pretty simple, actually. We made our way down to the NYC Marriage Bureau. While there are branches in each borough of New York City, we decided to go to the newly renovated and relatively high-tech one in lower Manhattan. The city has done a lot of work to make this an attractive place to not only get your license, but also to marry. In all, I think it was a pleasant experience in some pretty nice surroundings.
Here it is in all its glory.
After checking in at the information booth, we filled out an online form, which we could have done at home (but it wouldn’t have had the benefit of all of the atmosphere that only a government office can provide). On the form, I was able to also select a new last name.
More on that later…
Here’s Mr. Swan looking very intently at the application.
After finishing the application and collecting a number, we waited for our number to be called, and took in the scene at the Marriage Bureau (and what a scene it was!!). One of the coolest aspects of the Marriage Bureau is that they literally have everything your wedding needs, right there. Vendors/wedding elves? No need. You need flowers?
Check!
They have everything from a single flower to full bridal bouquets at VERY reasonable prices. Apparently you can also get everything from hairspray to disposable digital cameras. Not bad!
I will admit to you that I was getting a little misty-eyed while there. I’ve been loving all things marriage lately. Commitment makes me mushy. It’s actually pretty cool to see all kinds of people with their families and friends getting ready to be married.
There’s even a spot with a backdrop of the City Hall (’cause you know this is the equivalent of going down to “City Hall” to get married. It’s not the same building, though). Here’s a great pic of a couple in front of the backdrop.
We didn’t get a chance to see the chapel where the marriage ceremonies take place, which is in the back, behind this booth. Boo!
So, after taking it all in, We got THIS:
Our marriage license!
I thought it would look a bit… prettier? I don’t know what I was expecting, but I think after getting the license this week, things are beginning to hit me. I’m getting married. OMG!!!
How was your trip to get your marriage license? Was it a pleasant experience?
Ours was uneventful. The office wasn’t pretty and it took 10 minutes. We did celebrate with a yummy seafood lunch.
Wow. This actually looks great. We went to get ours today and went with the Brooklyn office which looks like it hasn’t been painted since the 1970’s.
It hit me when I put down my new surname…wow! I thought the marriage license would be prettier, too!
Ours went smoothly which was a nice relief - the hardest part was finding a branch of our bank in the Monterey county seat of Salinas so that we could get the cash for the license. I researched the process pretty though, and we were excited to see in print that we were “Licensed to Wed” 
It seemed pretty official then.
Congrats on your license!! NY city hall looks so cool, and they have everything for couples getting married thanks for showing those pics, it is amazing! In San Jose California, not so cool looking. The license was not very cool either but we were happy!
Woot! Yay for you! I get mine next week, and you better believe I’ll be making my Mister take some cheesy photos with it outside City Hall!
We got our license today, it was a pretty no-frills pleasant experience. And unlike what some of you have, Colorado marriage licenses are “pretty.”
Getting our license was smooth sailing. The lady helping us could have been a lot more enthusiastic, though. She reminded me of Roz from Monsters, Inc. I also thought that our license would be prettier.
The radio in the office was playing the Pussycat Dolls “Don’t cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me,” while were were waiting for the guy to stamp our forms. Even the guy mentioned that it was a rather inappropriate song for their office at City Hall!
That’s seriously a really cool city hall! Congrats Miss Swan!
Congrats!
We’ve been there before, but to participate in protests as supporters of gay marriage. It’ll be bittersweet going back to get our marriage license when others still can’t.
What a pretty courthouse! I thought the licenses would be prettier too. Congrats on that next step!
Congrats!!!
“Mr. Swan looking very intently at the application” Hahaha, you crack me up Our experience was as pleasant as yours! Isn’t it so exciting?!?
Yay! So exciting! What a cool building. We have to wait until 30 days out to get ours. I’m ready now!
Ah, when i saw the part about picking a new name I thought “yay, another perspective” but you’re such a blog tease I can’t wait o hear what you decided. What a pretty building
Congrats! What a modern, tech-advanced City Hall. Somehow, I don’t Philly’s going to be like that at ALL…
Congratulations! I got my marriage license at the Manhattan City Clerk’s office a few weeks ago. It’s a little like the DMV where you get a ticket for a window number and watch the screen until your number comes up. We spent 30 minutes sitting on the cushy couches watching all of the newlyweds kiss, hug, take pictures… it was very fun. Who would have thought that city hall could be fun?!?
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Mrs. Swan, New York City Age and Occupation: 31, Legislative Representative Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Finance Guy Engagement Date: August 9, 2008 Wedding Date: August 2009 Venue: Battery Gardens About Me: I am an un-crafty but resourceful, Caribbean-born but New York-raised woman who's been known to analyze "Dancing with the Stars" and “So You Think You Can Dance”, buy stinky cheese, and use way too many parentheses. I keep lists for fun, am constantly daydreaming of my next international travel adventure (four continents down, three to go), debating sports (let’s Got Mets/Giants!) and dancing around my apartment to stay sane. I am excited to share our wedding planning journey as I hope to plan a streamlined, personal, and fun wedding with the greatest life partner I could ever imagine, Mr. Swan.
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