Arkansas Weddings
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Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Arkansas shares a border with six states, with its eastern border largely defined by the Mississippi River. Its diverse geography ranges from the mountainous regions of the Ozarks and the Ouachita Mountains, which make up the U.S. Interior Highlands, to the eastern lowlands along the Mississippi River. The capital and most populous city is Little Rock, located in the central portion of the state.
The name Arkansas derives from the same root as the name for the State of Kansas. The Kansas tribe of American Indians are closely associated with the Sioux tribes. The word is a French pronunciation of a Quapaw (a related "Kaw" tribe) word meaning "land of downriver people" or "people of the south wind". The pronunciation of Arkansas (ar-kan-saw) was made official by an act of the state legislature in 1881 after a dispute between the two U.S. Senators from Arkansas. One wanted to pronounce the name ar-kán-sas and the other wanted ár-kan-saw.
Arkansas' state motto is "The Natural State" and that tells you a lot. It has great state parks with wilderness comprising broadleaf forests. The northwest boasts the Ozark Mountains while the south and east of the state has flatter land and shows more of its agricultural heritage. The Mississippi River forms the eastern border of the state and gives a great blues music heritage, great country music elsewhere (Johnny Cash was an Arkansan) and folk and bluegrass everywhere. There are wonderful state parks with camping facilities and some with cabins. The Buffalo River has majestic scenery and easy canoe float trips (but go in late spring to be sure there is enough water). The summer is HOT and humid; spring and autumn are wetter but mostly from intermittent heavy rain showers. Winter brings a little snow, but this time of year can still be humid. Spring is tornado season.
The spelling and pronunciation of "Arkansas" (it is always ar-kan-saw) reflect the state's heritage. The name is a French pronunciation of a Siouxan word meaning "land of downriver people" and was prescribed by law in 1881. It is technically still illegal to mispronounce the name (the law contains a clause stating that "the variation ar-KAN-sas is an innovation to be discouraged"), so be careful!
Arkansas Weddings
If you don't already know it, Arkansas is a great place to get married. Why? For one thing, you have the Ozark Mountains. Another reason are the two spa cities of Eureka Springs and Hot springs, where you can find healing waters and relaxation. Hot Springs has been called America's first Spa City, and is home to springs that offer 147-degree thermal water. Not to be outdone, Eureka Springs is often referred to as the "Wedding Capital of the South" because of all the couples visiting each year to tie the knot.
We've chosen to highlight several different venues from Little Rock, the capital, as well as Eureka Springs and Hot Springs, all perfect spots to either elope or hold a larger, more formal wedding.
Traditions
Why Arkansas?
Marriage License Requirements
If you've just set a date for your wedding, this can be an exciting time for the two of you! Don't let the marriage license laws of Arkansas put a dent in your wedding plans.
Here's what you need to know and what documents to bring with you before you apply for a Arkansas marriage license. We recommend getting this legal aspect of your wedding out of the way about a month before your wedding date.
Congratulations and much happiness as you begin your lifetime journey together! Requirements may vary as each county in Arkansas could have their own requirements.
Residency Requirement:
You do not have to be a resident of Arkansas. License can be used anywhere in Arkansas.
ID Requirement in Arkansas:
If you are between 18 - 21, you must provide identification in the form of state certified copy of your birth certificates, an active Military ID card, or a valid passport. Both applicants need to be present. A valid driver's license will suffice if you are over 21.
Previous Marriages in Arkansas:
If you were previously married, you will need to show your divorce decree, or have information regarding date, county and state of death of previous spouse. If you name has changed, you need to bring a certified copy of your divorce decree.
Covenant Marriage Option in Arkansas:
Yes.
Arkansas Waiting Period:
Arkansas does not have a waiting period.
Arkansas Fees:
$35 - $47 approximately, cash only. May vary from county to county.
Other Tests in Arkansas:
No blood or medical tests required to get married in Arkansas.
Proxy Marriages in Arkansas:
No. Arkansas does not allow proxy marriages.
Cousin Marriages:
No. Arkansas does not allow cousin marriages.
Common Law Marriages in Arkansas:
No. Arkansas does not allow common law marriages.
Same Sex Marriages in Arkansas:
No. In November, 2004, Arkansas voters passed a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage.
Under 18 in Arkansas:
Parental consent is needed if under 18 years of age. You need to present a state certified copy of your birth certificate, an active Military ID card, or a valid passport. Your parent must be present to sign the marriage book with the applicants when the license is issued. If a parent is unable to sign, due to death, separation, divorce or other circumstances, you must produce certified papers for verification of those circumstances. Males under the age of 17 and females under 16 cannot marry without an Arkansas court order. This is usually given only in extreme circumstances, such as if the female is pregnant or the couple already has a child together.
Arkansas Officiants:
Ministers must have their credentials recorded in one of Arkansas' 75 counties.
Witnesses in Arkansas:
Witnesses are not required at a wedding in Arkansas.
Miscellaneous:
An Arkansas marriage license is valid for sixty (60) days. It must be returned used or unused, within 60 days to the County Clerk's Office where you applied for recording or a $100 Bond will be executed against all applicants.
Copy of Arkansas Certificate of Marriage:
Division of Vital Records 4815 West Markham Street Little Rock, AR 72205 (501) 661-2726 Fax: (501) 663-2832
How To Get There
Get in
Little Rock National Airport, located dead center, is Arkansas' main air terminal. Other airports can be found in Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Texarkana, and Memphis, Tennessee.
Get around
Car travel here, as in most of the United States, is quickest. Interstate 40 crosses the state from Fort Smith to Memphis, passing through Little Rock. The interstate also goes south from Little Rock to Texarkana.
Stay safe
Arkansas has several potential weather hazards. Tornados occur in Arkansas. Check the Tornado safety page if you are visiting Arkansas. Severe thunderstorms and flash floods also may occur. While generally mild, winter storms can also strike the states - especially in the northwest. Perhaps the most likely environmental danger is the intense summer heat, compounded by the humidity. Keep well hydrated, and avoid overexerting yourself.
Crime is generally low in most of the state, the main exceptions being the larger cities. Even though many small-town Arkansans view Little Rock as a particularly dangerous and unsafe city, its violent crime rates are in line with other United States cities of similar size. Property crime is more prevalent.
Drunk driving can be a danger, especially in rural areas at night. Arkansas is divided betweem "wet" and "dry" counties, meaning many drinkers in the state must drive 10-30 miles away from home for a good time.
Gay and Lesbian travelers may face unwanted attention or hostility in Arkansas, as Arkansas is generally a very socially conservative state. Little Rock does have an active GLBT community and clubs and other places which are decidely gay friendly. The rest of Arkansas, even larger towns, have very limited opportunities for openly gay travelers, or residents. That being said, in Eureka Springs, a famous resort town, most people are accepting and it has a flourishing GLBT community. In terms of race relations, Arkansas has progressed in many respects since the 1950s. However, many small towns in the state, especially in the highlands, are mostly or entirely white, and people of color may attract stares or unwanted attention. People of Hispanic background may be assumed to be recent (and often "illegal") immigrants. Likewise, some areas of the Delta, and of the cities of Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Pine Bluff are almost entirely African-American; and even absent overt racial tensions; poverty is widespread in these areas, and wealthier visitors of any background need to be aware of economic and social tensions. However, some areas in larger towns and cities are decidedly integrated.
Insider Tips
Best Time to Go
Climate
Arkansas generally has a humid subtropical climate, which borders on humid continental in some northern highland areas. While not bordering the Gulf of Mexico, Arkansas is still close enough to this warm, large body of water for it to be the main weather influence in the state. Generally, Arkansas has very hot, humid summers and mild, slightly drier winters. In Little Rock, the daily high temperatures average around 90 °F (32 °C) in the summer and close to 50 °F (10 °C) in winter. Annual precipitation throughout the state averages between about 40 and 60 inches (1,000 to 1,500 mm); somewhat wetter in the south and drier in the northern part of the state. Snowfall is not uncommon, but certainly not excessive in most years as the average snowfall is around 5 inches (13 cm).
Despite its subtropical climate, Arkansas is known for occasional extreme weather. Between both the Great Plains and the Gulf States, Arkansas receives around 60 days of thunderstorms. As a part of Tornado Alley, tornadoes are not an uncommon occurrence in Arkansas, and a few of the most destructive tornadoes in U.S. history have struck the state. While being sufficiently away from the coast to be safe from a direct hit from a hurricane, Arkansas can often get the remnants of a tropical system which dumps tremendous amounts of rain in a short time and often spawns smaller tornadoes.
High water pouring down the White River caused historic flooding in cities along its path in eastern Arkansas. The river could top levels recorded in a devastating flood in 1982. Arkansas emergency management told early estimates for statewide damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure was at $2 million, though that figure was expected to grow.
| Monthly Normal High and Low Temperatures For Various Arkansas Cities | ||||||||||||
| City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith | 48/28 | 55/33 | 64/41 | 73/49 | 80/59 | 88/67 | 93/71 | 93/70 | 85/63 | 75/50 | 61/40 | 51/31 |
| Little Rock | 50/31 | 56/35 | 64/43 | 73/50 | 81/59 | 89/68 | 93/72 | 92/70 | 85/64 | 75/52 | 62/42 | 52/34 |