As much as many of us think getting married is a religious thing, it's also a government thing. They can allow, or not allow, you to get married. They do this by making you apply for a marriage license. (I really think they should do this for having babies too.) It's a two-page form you can print of the county recorder's website. The bride and groom fill in the information, have a witness sign it, and have a notary give their seal. $35 later the state gives you the paperwork to fill out the day of your wedding. You then send that back to them and they mail you your official marriage document. I can use that for the fun task of legally switching my name on all my important documents. Fun.