A Hardin County marriage license: both of you, in person, before 4:30

The marriage license desk in Hardin County is the County Clerk's office, Suite B-110 on the first floor of the courthouse at 300 W. Monroe in Kountze. Both of you need to come in together with valid photo ID, and you fill out the application there. This isn't an online errand or something one partner can knock out alone.

Watch the clock: licenses go out from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm, and if you roll in after 4:30 you're coming back the next day. The standard fee is $81. Finish the state's Twogether in Texas premarital education course and bring the completion certificate, and Hardin County lists the fee as $21. Texas HHS describes Twogether as an eight-hour course on communication, conflict management, and other marriage skills.

One more thing to keep in mind: Texas has a 72-hour waiting period between getting the license and the ceremony for most couples, so don't leave it to the morning of the wedding.