CHICAGO (CBS) — For the last time in more than 25 years, Cook County Clerk David Orr presided over a wedding for the first couple of the year to get a marriage license in Cook County.
Since 1991, Orr has married the couple to obtain the first marriage license of the year, providing donated gifts for the newlyweds. It’s a tradition that is now coming to an end, as Orr is not seeking an eighth term in office, so this was his last New Year’s as county clerk.
After 5 years together, Brian Wildeman and Susie Fogle, from Woodlawn, got married at the George W. Dunne Cook County Office Building on Tuesday. They showed up at Orr’s office at 4 a.m., despite wind chills well below zero, to make sure no one beat them to the first marriage license of 2018.
“We considered, like, would we try to buy off another couple, what would we do? And then we talked about it, and we were like, ‘If someone gets here earlier than that in negative 25-degree wind chill, we’ll shake their hands,’” Susie said.
Brian was dressed in a well-worn tuxedo onesie.
Brian, a 49-year-old University of Chicago Lab School teacher, and Susie, a 35-year-old nanny, have a 2-year-old daughter together, and they decided they’re ready to tie the knot.
“We have a daughter, and we’ve been together for a while, and lived together, and this is special to us,” Susie said.
“It’s kind of an adventurous way to do it, too, so it’s fun, and it’ll be a fun surprise when we do announce it to our friends and family,” Brian
The exchange of the rings wasn’t as smooth as intended, after Susie got the ring on Brian’s finger, the bride and groom shared the first Cook County wedding kiss of the year.
Since he started presiding over weddings for the new year 27 years ago, Orr has missed only one ceremony.
“People from everywhere, and different backgrounds, and why they happen to be getting the license right now. Many of them have kids,” he said. “A lot of good people we’ve met over the years, and I guess it’s fun when I run into couples sometimes I barely remember, ‘Oh yeah, you married us.’”
As their wedding gift from the county, The Wildemans not only received their marriage license for free, but got vouchers for a free hotel stay; dinner for two; flowers; a cake; and tickets for shows like Riot Fest, iO Theater, and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
Brian and Susie planned to take a trip to Tokyo for their honeymoon. Their 2-year-old daughter likely will join them, though Susie joked Orr could offer to watch the child while they’re away.
“I don’t know if the list came with a babysitter. You didn’t read that. We’ll see if Mister Orr will watch her,” she said.
from CBS Chicago http://ift.tt/2qgMXAu
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