Just in case anyone in the future is looking to do this, I'll provide a little breakdown of what we HAD to do.
Step 1: Obtain marriage license. We did this on Saturday, the office is in the Daley Center downtown (50 W. Washington to be exact), you can also do it at a variety of offices in the suburbs, but because of other steps that needed to be done we figured we would do it downtown. They have Saturday hours from 9 - 12. The license costs $40. Do not request information about Cultural Center Weddings here... they will tell you to go to City Hall during regular business hours. Well, at least our girl did. That is WRONG. Be sure you know how to spell your mother's maiden name, just in case you don't. :) The soonest you can get your marriage license is 60 days before the wedding day.
Step 2: Walk over to "Marriage Court" located in the lower level of 119 W. Randolph. You need to show your marriage certificate (I guess to prove you're serious?) to sign up. It is just $10, you sign a little form and you're all set. They have times of 10:45, 11:00 or 11:15. Multiple people can sign up for any of these three time slots, so it isn't an "exact" time for your wedding. They do warn you that you need to be ON TIME otherwise you might not get in for your wedding.
Trust me, You'll leave that office happy that you decided AGAINST a simple ceremony at marriage court. It looked about as romantic as getting married at your doctor's office (if your doctor's office was in the basement).
We got downtown at about 9:00, and we were done at both offices by 9:30. Easy peasy.
After that, (and a little breakfast at Corner Bakery) we wander down Randolph to see the location of our pending nuptuals! I hadn't ever been to the Cultural Center, and honestly, I was blown away. It is a beautiful building... I couldn't be happier with the option we've chosen. Luckily they were actually holding weddings there on Saturday (I heard there would be 8 that day) so we got to see the space awake with wedding excitiment. There was one bride there who was pretty decked out, and requested that her future husband not see her before the ceremony. Poor chap was wandering the halls all by himself! You'd think at least someone would keep him company!!
After that we hit up Macy's to look for Zach's suit (which we found easily with the help of a great employee there!) and I was even able to get a jacket (for every day wear) and a sweater to put on over my wedding dress if I'm cold. I'd never been to the downtown Macy's.. man that thing is HUGE!!!
When we got home we booked all of our cruise and flight stuff. So we're official and set to go!!
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