We honor our Military & Veterans
A Letter From Our Team:
At Covington-McGee Wedding & Christian Counseling Chapel (Arizona Covenant Christian Counseling) we understand that pre-marital counseling is a critical component in starting a marriage.Therefore, as Faith-based Christians, we are guided by God to help those in need.
We continue to pray for old marriages as well as new marriages.
For those who are entering in a new marriage we ask you to trust that the heart of God is kind. He is our Wonderful Counselor who always prays for us; there is simply no counselor in this world like Him.“What a wonderful counselor indeed.”
We invite you to reach out to our team.
Congrats on your upcoming nuptial.
Blessings,
Team Covington-McGee
Team Arizona Covenant
Military Wedding Traditions For Army, Navy, Air Force, & Marines
https://www.operationmilitarykids.org/military-wedding-traditions/
Brides Across America (BAA) is a non-profit committed to loving one another by gifting weddings and wedding gowns to our military & first responders
https://www.bridesacrossamerica.com/
Operation Deploy Your Dress’s primary goal is to improve the quality of life of military families by offsetting the high cost of attending formal military functions, especially for junior servicemembers. ODYD currently “deploys” dresses from thirteen brick and mortar shops at installations around the world.
These shops are solely run by military spouse volunteers.
The heart and soul of this organization is the following three pillars:
1. Deploying America’s patriotism one dress at a time
2. Fostering community through volunteerism, while building concrete work experience for military spouses.
3. Upholding military tradition and cultivating camaraderie
ODYD assists in bridging the ever-growing gap between the military and civilian communities by offering a tangible way for the American public to show their appreciation for the service and sacrifice of our military servicemembers and their families.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSePsc1D4_HEDCVxxaM6NscNkrDZqqySnsqZJei9N-mcwjaBVg/viewfor
Getting Married
Once a marriage license has been issued by the County Clerk’s office, it is valid for 90 days from the issue date and is valid in any other county in the state of Texas. (Texas family code 2.001).Per Texas law, there is a 72-hour waiting period before the marriage ceremony may take place, except in the instances of the following exceptions:
- If the applicants obtain a written waiver from a judge.
- If one of the applicants is an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States; the active-duty military person must show identification.
- If the applicants submit the premarital education course certificate from Covington-McGee Wedding & Christian Counseling Chapel.
- If applicants are remarrying each other.
Both parties must be present for the marriage ceremony, except in the instance where one party is a member of the armed forces of the United States stationed in another country in support of combat or another military operation and unable to attend the ceremony. Then an adult representative may be appointed to act as a proxy in the ceremony.
Bexar County Marriage License Cost
A standard marriage license in Bexar County costs $80. An informal (common-law) marriage license costs $45. You can significantly reduce the regular license fee to $20 by completing the state-approved Twogether in Texaspremarital course through Covington-McGee Wedding Christian Counseling first before applying for the license to take advantage of the discount on the marriage license.
Quick Facts:
- Payment Methods: Cash or credit/debit card only (no tap or Apple Pay).
- Validity: The license is valid for 90 days from issuance, and there is a 72-hour waiting period after it is issued before you can get married (waived for active-duty military and by taking our pre-martial course, the 72 hour waiting period is waived for all who will be applying for a marriage license.)
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Per Texas law, there is a 72-hour waiting period before the marriage ceremony may take place, except in the instances of the following exceptions:
- If the applicants obtain a written waiver from a judge.
- If one of the applicants is an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States; the active-duty military person must show identification.
- If the applicants submit the premarital education course certificate from Twogether in Texas.
- If applicants are remarrying each other.
Both parties must be present for the marriage ceremony, except in the instance where one party is a member of the armed forces of the United States stationed in another country in support of combat or another military operation and unable to attend the ceremony. Then an adult representative may be appointed to act as a proxy in the ceremony.
Name Changes
If a party wishes to change their name due to marriage, they may do so through the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Social Security Administration. However, the name on the marriage license will not change.
- Location: Bexar County Clerk's Office, Paul Elizondo Tower, 101 W. Nueva St., Suite 120, San Antonio, TX
Requirements:
- Both applicants must be present.
- Bring valid photo identification (e.g., driver's license, passport, or certified birth certificate).
- Know your Social Security number.
If one party is not available to be present, the other party or an adult representative may bring a completed and notarized Affidavit of Absent Applicant for Marriage License.
Getting Married In Phoenix Arizona
To get married in Arizona, you must apply for a marriage license in person at any County Clerk of Superior Court office, hold a ceremony with an authorized officiant and two witnesses, and have the officiant return the signed license.
1. Meet the Requirements
- Age: You must be at least 18 years old. Minors aged 16 or 17 need parental consent; those under 16 need both parental consent and a superior court judge's approval.
- Residency & Blood Tests: You do not need to be an Arizona resident, and blood tests are not required.
- Waiting Period: There is no waiting period; you can use your license the same day it is issued.
Apply for a Marriage License
- What to Bring: Both applicants must go together to a county clerk's office. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID (like a driver’s license or passport) and your Social Security numbers.
- Cost: The fee varies slightly by county, typically ranging from $72 to $98.
- Validity: The license is valid for 12 months, and you can use it anywhere within the state of Arizona
Have the Ceremony
- Officiant: The ceremony must be performed by a legally authorized person, such as a judge, justice of the peace, or recognized member of the clergy.
- Witnesses: You need at least two adult witnesses (age 18 or older) present to sign the license.
File the License
- Return the Paperwork: The person who performs your ceremony is legally responsible for mailing or returning the signed marriage license to the Clerk of the Superior Court within the required timeframe (usually within 30 days) to make the marriage official.
God’s Knot Ceremony
The cord of three strands ceremony (often called "God's Knot" or the Unity Braid Ceremony) symbolizes the joining of one man, one woman, and God into a marriage relationship. It adds a truly unique element to your ceremony that friends and family will remember.
The cord of three strands ceremony is a great addition to a wedding ceremony.
Couples with strong spiritual beliefs may want to add this short ceremony toward the end of the wedding ceremony. Keeping God at the center of your wedding ceremony will also help you keep God at the center of your marriage.
Every time you think back on your wedding ceremony it will remind you of how God is intimately involved in your marriage. The Cord of Three Strands is a symbol of that sacred union created on your wedding day.
Marriage takes three; you, your soon to be spouse, and God. It was God who taught us to love. By keeping Him at the center of your marriage, His love will continue to bind you together as one throughout your marriage.
Gold Strand - Represents God
The divinity of God is represented in Gold. This covenant relationship is initiated by Him, will be built under His authority, and is intended to glorify Him.
Purple Strand - Represents the Groom
As a new creation in Christ, the majesty of the Groom is represented in purple. As the husband loves his wife and submits himself to the Lord, the Lord in turn will demonstrate His great love in the marriage relationship.
White Strand - Represents the Bride
Having been cleansed by salvation in Christ, the purity of the Bride is represented in white. As the wife honors her husband and submits herself to the Lord, the Lord in turn will nurture and strengthen the marriage relationship.
If God Doesn't Make Soulmates, How Do I Know They're "The One"?
https://www.crosswalk.com/family/marriage/if-god-doesnt-make-soulmates-how-do-i-know-theyre-the-one.html
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
