You decided to spend your lives together, he asked, and you said “yes.” You’ve lined up the caterer, the florist, and the photographer and found someone to spin tunes for dancing. You’ve even got the perfect dress! But are you ready to get married? There are certain legal deadlines you’ll need to meet, and some churches have required classes or counseling before you tie the knot. Here are several details you should check off your list before the big day.

State requirements

In the state of Maryland, marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. There’s one in every county, and you’ll need to apply for your license in the county where you’re marrying. No blood tests are required and only one of you needs to be present. The license will be effective at 6 a.m. on the second day after it was issued and valid for six months. Fees vary by county, so find the clerk of the court for the county where you’re marrying for specific details: Anne Arundel | Calvert | Charles | Prince George’s | St. Mary’s.

Church requirements

If you’re marrying in a church, be aware of the requirements for marrying in that faith. Here are a few common faiths; if you’re marrying in a church or by a minister, it’s always a good idea to talk to the minister or priest early in your planning process about requirements for marriage in that church.

Catholic Weddings: In the Catholic Church, both must be baptized Christians, though only one of you needs to be Catholic. If that’s the case, you might also need permission from the non-Catholic’s church to marry. Check with the priest at the church where you’d like to marry if you have questions. Ask also about premarital counseling our classes; that is sometimes required.

Resources:
http://catholicweddinghelp.com/questions/rules-requirements.htm
http://catholicism.about.com/od/catholicliving/f/FAQ_Marriage.htm

Protestant Weddings: The requirements for marriage in the various Protestant churches will vary. Some will marry a couple if one or both are divorced. Some will require that you both be baptized, and others won’t marry you outside of the church building. If you’re marrying someone of another faith, inquire about interfaith or ecumenical marriages. Premarital classes or counseling might also be required; be sure to ask.

Resources:
http://www.weddingdetails.com/lore/protestant.cfm
http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/planning-a-wedding/articles/protestant-wedding-ceremony-checklist.aspx

Jewish Weddings: Jewish weddings are rich in tradition. If you’re Jewish and marrying someone who is not, you’ll find that the different branches of Judaism have different views on whether the marriage is valid. Always talk to your rabbi early in your marriage if this applies to you. Jewish weddings also traditionally include a contract that is similar to a pre-nuptial agreement. This contract outlines the husband’s obligations to the wife and their children and the conditions of inheritance upon his death. Many couples display this agreement in their home.

Resources:
http://www.jewfaq.org/marriage.htm
http://www.religionfacts.com/judaism/cycle/marriage.htm
http://wedding.theknot.com/real-weddings/jewish-weddings.aspx

Church weddings

If you’d like to marry in a church but are not a member of a church, start making phone calls as soon as you’ve made this decision. Some denominations will not allow you to rent their church unless you’re a member. Other officiants will marry non-members in their church or elsewhere in exchange for a donation to their church or other charitable organization.

If you’re looking to marry somewhere other than a church, consider one of these options that you can find in Southern Maryland:

• Historic site
• Park
• Garden
• Beach or waterfront
• Hotel or reception hall
• At someone’s home