We got our marriage license last night at City Hall, and since we’re making every effort to keep the wedding personal, we made a family connection with the license.

A few years ago, I got to do a very cool family history and genealogy project through work and researchers at the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania found many cool things about my ancestors. When we moved to our new house a couple weeks ago, I took some time to go through the documents again, and came across the marriage license of my great grandparents — my paternal grandfather’s parents.

Carl McDonald and Eleanor Lair received their marriage license at Philadelphia City Hall on June 17, 1931. So on June 17, 2015, Chris and I went to Philadelphia City Hall and got our license by answering a few simple questions and paying $80 (cash or money order only).

Top: Marriage license of my great grandparents (paternal) issued June 17, 1931 in Philadelphia. Bottom: Our marriage license, issued June 17, 2015 in Philadelphia. #mcwink15

A photo posted by Shannon McDonald (@sacmcdonald) on Jun 17, 2015 at 6:58pm PDT

Unlike in 1931, no one asked us if we’re imbeciles or epileptics. So we’re off to a good start.

-Shannon