In the United States, before you take a trip down the aisle, you must first make a pit stop at the courthouse or the vital records office (in the area where you are getting married) to get a marriage license. This license will allow you to be married in a religious or civil ceremony. However, you are not legally married until the completed marriage license (usually signed by the officiant and a witness or two at your ceremony) is sent back to the courthouse or vital records office (and duly recorded).
