At the word "wedding," many people are instantly reminded of a big white gown and a long aisle. But what is more important than all the specifics of a wedding day is that the bride and groom become legally married.

Lynda K. Wickstrum, clerk of the District Court in Riley County, described the process of applying for a marriage license in Riley County as fairly simple.

Wickstrum said first, one member of the couple must apply for the marriage license at the courthouse, which is located at the corner of Fifth Street and Humboldt. At that time, the prospective bride or groom needs to have the full names (first, middle and last) of both members of the couple as well as social security numbers, birth dates and the cities and states in which each person currently resides.

The application is then on file for the next three days. The couple has one year from the date of application to complete a worksheet they receive at the time of application and turn it back in. They must, however, wait at least three days before returning to the courthouse to turn in the worksheet and pick up the marriage license. That worksheet contains more detailed information about the bride, groom and both their parents. When the couple turns in the worksheet, they must pay a $69 fee in order to pick up the license.

After receiving the marriage license, the couple has six months to finalize the license by having a marriage ceremony performed by a judge, clergy member or anyone else approved by the courts to preside at weddings. The presider then fills out information about the time and location of the ceremony and mails the license back to the courthouse.

The finalized license stays in Manhattan for 30 days, Wickstrum said, at which point they send it to the Vital Statistics Office in Topeka.

The license stays on file "forever," Wickstrum said, and is available for the couple whenever they need a copy of it.

Debra Russell, deputy clerk at the District Court in Riley County, said couples often need copies of their marriage licenses if members decide to change their last names, but it can be necessary in other instances too. For the first 30 days after the wedding, the couple can go to the courthouse to request a certified copy of the license. During this time period, it only costs $1.25 per copy.

After the first 30 days, however, the only place to obtain a copy of the marriage license is through the Vital Statistics Office.