Here is what getting married actually consists of, and I had no idea about any of it until I was standing in it, and it is worth putting down.

Both parties must be there in person.

You each need photo identification.

In Minnesota there is no waiting period — you can be issued a licence and married the same afternoon — and the licence is good for six months.

It costs a hundred and fifteen dollars.

It costs forty if you have completed twelve hours of premarital education with a qualified provider and bring the signed statement, which is a thing the state does to encourage counselling, and which I did not know existed, and which I would not have had time for anyway.

I paid the hundred and fifteen.