Category:Kentucky Weddings
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The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. Kentucky is normally included in the group of Southern states (in particular the Upland South), but it is sometimes included, geographically and culturally, in the Midwest. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states to be officially known as a commonwealth. Originally a part of Virginia, in 1792 it became the 15th state to join the Union. Kentucky is the 37th largest state in terms of land area, and ranks 26th in population.
Kentucky is known as the "Bluegrass State", a nickname based on the fact that bluegrass is present in many of the lawns and pastures throughout the state. It is a land with diverse environments and abundant resources, including the world's longest cave system, the greatest length of navigable waterways and streams in the Lower 48 states, and the two largest man-made lakes east of the Mississippi River. It is also home to the highest per capita number of deer and turkey in the United States, and the nation's most productive coalfield. Kentucky is also known for thoroughbred horses, horse racing, bourbon distilleries, bluegrass music, automobile manufacturing, tobacco, and college basketball.
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Kentucky Weddings
Traditions
Why Kentucky?
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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky could have their own requirements.
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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky could have their own requirements.
Residency Requirement:
You do not have to be a resident of Kentucky.
ID Requirement in Kentucky:
Picture id such as Drivers License. Having your Social Security card, Birth Certificate, etc. may be helpful.
Previous Marriages:
Most counties in Kentucky will require documentation to prove a previous marriage has been dissolved either through death or divorce.
Covenant Marriage Option:
No.
Waiting Period:
There is no waiting period in Kentucky.
Fees in Kentucky:
The fees to get married in Kentucky are $34.50 - $36 approximately. Fee may vary from county to county. Cash, Certified Check, Cashier's Check, or Money Order.
Other Tests:
None.
Proxy Marriages:
No.
Cousin Marriages:
No. Kentucky won't recognize these marriages even if legal in another state.
Common Law Marriages:
No.
Same Sex Marriages:
No. In November, 2004, voters passed a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage.
Under 18:
If you are 16 or 17 years old, you must have the consent of your parents or legal guardian. Custody papers are required if your parents are divorced. The form that you need to have completed is the Consent to Marriage Form (84-FCC-501). It has to be witnessed by two witnesses who are at least 18 years old, signed by your parent or legal guardian, and sworn by the deputy clerk.
If you are a pregnant minor you may apply to a district court judge for permission to marry without parental consent. If you are under 16, you must get approval to marry from the District Court. Minors cannot get married in Kentucky if parents or guardians are not residents of Kentucky.
Officiants:
Any ordained or licensed clergymen who have been licensed in Kentucky to perform weddings, and justices of the peace.
Miscellaneous:
License is valid for thirty (30) days.
Copy of Certificate of Marriage:
Kentucky Department for Public Health Office of Vital Statistics 275 East Main Street - IE-A Frankfort, KY 40621 Phone: (502) 564-4212 Fax: (502) 227-0032
How To Get There
Get in
By Air
There are three large airports in the state. Louisville International Airport is served by several major airlines, including Southwest, Frontier, Delta/Delta Connection, US Express, United Express, American Airlines/American Eagle, Continental Express, Midwest Connect, and Northwest/Northwest Airlink. Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport, located off of I-275 near Hebron, is a major hub for Delta, and is also served by American Eagle, United Express, US Airways Express, Continental Connection/Continental Express, Comair, Northwest Airlink, and USA 3000. Lexington's Blue Grass Field offers flights to several cities in the mid western and eastern parts of the country via American Eagle, US Express, United Express, NWA airlink, Delta Connection, and Continental Connection/Express. The two smaller, commercial airports in Kentucky are Barklay Regional, served by Northwest Airlink, and Owensboro-Davies County Airport, served by Great Lakes Aviation. There are many other smaller, general aviation airports throughout the state.
By Car
Kentucky is accessible by five interstates; I-71 and I-75 coming from Cincinnati going to Louisville and Lexington, respectively, I-64 going from Ashland to Louisville, I-65 from Louisville to Bowling Green and I-24 from Paducah to Hopkinsville. The state is also served by major parkways administered by the state. The Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway connects I-64 in Winchester to eastern Kentucky near Prestonsburg. The Bluegrass Parkway connects I-65 and the Western Kentucky Pkwy near Elizabethtown with the Lexington area near Versailles. The Western Kentucky Parkway links I-65 in Elizabethtown with I-24 near Lake Barkley. The Purchase Pkwy links Fulton and southwest Kentucky with I-24 at Calvert City. The Pennyrile Pkwy connects the Henderson-Evansville area with I-24 at Hopkinsville, while the Natcher Pkwy connects Owensboro with Bowling Green. And the Cumberland Pkwy crosses southern Kentucky between I-65 and Somerset.
Get around
Along with the interstates and parkways, Kentucky is served by many state and US routes:
- KY 80 crosses the southern part of the state, linking Mayfield, Hopkinsville, Bowling Green, London and Pikeville.
- US 27 runs from Covington south to Somerset.
- US 127, also from Covington, runs through Frankfort, Danville and the Lake Cumberland area.
- US 150 offers a connection between Louisville and I-75 between Lexington and Tennessee.
- US 23 (Country Music Highway) connects Ashland with Virginia south of Pikeville.
- US 60 bisects the state from the Mississippi River to Ashland, passing through Paducah, Henderson, Owensboro and Louisville before following I-64 the rest of its route.
- US 68 runs mostly east-to-west passing through Paducah, Bowling Green, Harrodsburg, and Lexington.
Get out
To the west of Kentucky, Missouri can boast of having St Louis, home of the Gateway Arch and Union Station, a festive marketplace.
Riverboat casinos cruise the Ohio River north of Kentucky in Illinois and Indiana. Illinois is also the later day home of Abraham Lincoln Springfield and the fictional home of Superman (Metropolis). Indiana has several caves to visit and is rich in covered bridges. Ohio, also to the north, has no casinos, but does have the city of Cincinnati, home of Kings Island and the Bengals (NFL) and Reds (MLB).
To the east are the Virginias. West Virginia is the closest state with dog racing. It also has the New River Gorge Bridge one of the highest in the eastern US. Virginia has the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park.
Tennessee shares Kentucky's southern border. Here you'll find the Great Smoky Mountains, the music city of Nashville and Elvis' home in Memphis.
Best Time to Go
A vacation in Kentucky is like no other. The state features a world renowned horse racing track, lakes and rivers perfect for fishing and boating, and a network of caves worthy of exploring. With all of the things to do in Kentucky, it's no wonder why Kentucky tourism is at an all time high.
Louisville is also one of the most popular Kentucky vacation spots. Kentucky tourism really takes off in the spring and summer thanks to the many events and festivals that take place in Louisville. The summer festival season kicks off in May with the Kentucky Derby at the Churchill Downs horse racing track.
Two weeks of exciting festivities take place prior to the Kentucky Derby, including fireworks displays, restaurant specials, balloon races, and other fun events for both children and adults. There are many Kentucky tours that will highlight some of Louisville's most popular pre-Derby events.
Once the Kentucky Derby starts, be prepared for a horse racing extravaganza like no other. June is also a fun month to visit Louisville because of the Greek Festival and Waterside Festival. The Greek festival celebrates Greek heritage by offering an array of live bands, authentic food and crafts, and family activities. The Waterside Festival in downtown Louisville is on of the most perfect Kentucky vacation spots for those who like arts, crafts, and live music. A vacation in Kentucky during the summer is truly the perfect way to kick back, relax, and enjoy the state's unique culture.
June is perfect for Kentucky tourism because of the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, which is the largest Shakespeare event in the country. The event is very popular with Kentucky tours because of its location in Central Park in the Louisville Historic District. The historical vibe of the neighborhood is naturally a great place to host the event. Even if you aren't a Shakespeare enthusiast, stop in at the event for a chance to see fabulous Renaissance costumes and sample delicious food from local vendors. The event is free to the public.
There are many Kentucky vacation spots outside of the big city that will appeal to nature enthusiasts. If you are traveling along the Big South Fork River, take a visit to Yahoo Falls, Kentucky's highest Water Fall. The rugged Appalachian mountains and the scenic Daniel Boone National Forest are favorite Kentucky vacation spots for adventurous types who enjoy mountain biking and hiking. Not only is the bluegrass state full of camping grounds and state parks, but the central part of Kentucky is also home to Mammoth caves. The Mammoth Caves are a network of caves that visitors can explore while on one of the popular Kentucky Tours.
One of the best things about Kentucky tourism is that it's in full swing all year long. The holiday season is the perfect time to take vacation in Kentucky because of the fun events going on. If you're family enjoys bringing in the holiday season with some cheer, head to downtown Lexington for "Holiday Live." This free event takes place in late November and features holiday music, children's story book characters, and a fun array of community building activities that both tourists and local families will enjoy. Stay in Lexington a bit longer to experience the Lexington Christmas Tree Lighting which has taken place ever since the early 20th century. Your entire family will get into the holiday spirit as they enjoy sipping hot chocolate and watching an enormous Christmas tree light up Triangle Park in downtown Lexington.
If you're a museum enthusiast, consider finding Kentucky tours that take place during the fall and the winter. Kentucky museums tend to be less crowded during the winter and still offer the same unique exhibits that are popular during other times of the year. The Shaker Museum at South Union is on the land of a former shaker community that was founded back in the early 18 hundreds. Learning about the history of the Shaker community will take place by exploring the artifacts that the community once created or used, such as butter churns, tapestry, and furniture. History buffs will appreciate the written documents that provide an insight into how the Shaker people lived their lives in Kentucky.
Climate
Located within the southeastern interior portion of North America, Kentucky has a climate that can best be described as a humid subtropical climate (Koppen Cfa), or that all monthly average high temperatures are above freezing. Monthly average temperatures in Kentucky range from a summer daytime high of 87 °F (30.9 °C) to a winter low of 23 °F (-4.9 °C). The average precipitation is 46 inches (116.84 cm) a year. Kentucky experiences all four seasons, usually with striking variations in the severity of summer and winter from year to year.
| Event | Death Toll |
|---|---|
| Louisville Tornado of 1890 | est. 76–120+ |
| April 3, 1974 Tornado Outbreak | 72 |
| April 7, 1977 Flooding (Cumberland River toppled Pineville floodwall) | ? |
| March 1, 1997 Flooding | 18 |
| 2008 Super Tuesday tornado outbreak | 7 |
Major weather events that have affected Kentucky include: The Mid-Mississippi Valley Tornado Outbreak of March 1890 The Ohio River flood of 1937 The Super Outbreak of tornadoes in 1974 Massive flooding in 1997 The North American blizzard of 2003 (mostly ice in Kentucky)
| Monthly Normal High and Low Temperatures For Various Kentucky Cities | ||||||||||||
| City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | 40/24 | 45/28 | 55/36 | 65/44 | 74/54 | 82/62 | 86/66 | 85/65 | 78/58 | 67/46 | 54/37 | 44/28 |
| Louisville | 41/25 | 47/28 | 57/37 | 67/46 | 75/56 | 83/65 | 87/70 | 86/68 | 79/61 | 68/48 | 56/39 | 45/30 |
| Paducah | 42/24 | 48/28 | 58/37 | 68/46 | 77/55 | 85/64 | 89/68 | 87/65 | 81/57 | 71/45 | 57/36 | 46/28 |
| Pikeville | 46/23 | 50/25 | 60/32 | 69/39 | 77/49 | 84/58 | 87/63 | 86/62 | 80/56 | 71/42 | 60/33 | 49/26 |
| Ashland | 42/19 | 47/21 | 57/29 | 68/37 | 77/47 | 84/56 | 88/61 | 87/59 | 80/52 | 69/40 | 57/31 | 46/23 |
Things To Do
There are things to do in Kentucky for every type of traveler. Kentucky attractions range from outdoor activities such as hiking and camping, researching the Civil War, and participating in all of the Kentucky attractions that have to do with the Kentucky Derby. You could easily tour Kentucky for an entire summer and not run out of interesting things to see or do.
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby takes place every year in May in Louisville on one of the world’s most famous horse racing tracks, Churchill Downs. People often refer to the derby as the “most exciting two minutes in sports.” The derby is by far the most well-known of all Kentucky Attractions.
Kentucky Horse Park
If you are planning to tour Kentucky, start with the Kentucky Horse Museum located in Lexington KY. Lexington is commonly referred to as the horse capital of the world. The Horse Farm features dozens of breeds of horses living on acres of beautiful pastures and a museum that tells the story of horse racing in Kentucky. There are also several events that go on at the Horse Museum.
Corvette Museum
The Corvette Museum offers a glimpse into automobile making history. There are actual corvettes on display from decades past as well as Corvette memorabilia, films, and photographs. The GM assembly plant isn’t far from the Corvette Museum. Visitors can see a real corvette being assembled on a factory tour.
Louisville Slugger Museum
If you’re looking for things to do in Kentucky, head to the Louisville Slugger Museum. The museum provides a great opportunity to learn how Slugger bats are made and what makes them so popular with baseball players. Upon driving up to the Louisville Slugger Baseball Museum, visitors will immediately notice the “World’s Biggest Bat,” which is 120 feet tall and weighs nearly 68,000 pounds.
Lake Reba
Lake Reba is the perfect lake for swimming, fishing, or taking in some scenic Kentucky sights. Other recreational activities that are available include mini golf, horse shoes, and golf. The recreational complex at the lake is a very popular gathering spot for family reunions because of the abundance of picnic seating areas. If you plan to tour Kentucky, be sure to put this excellent recreational complex at the top of your list.
Louisville Zoo
The Louisville Zoo should be one of the Kentucky sights that everyone sees. The facility located right in the heart of Louisville and is home to a diverse range of animals. The habitats of the animals are what make the zoo so unique. Each animal lives in an environment that replicates their natural habitats. When you go to the zoo, be sure to stay for an educational talk by an experience zoo volunteer or a geologist.
Mammoth Cave
The Mammoth Cave is said to be the longest cave structure in the world and is one of the top Kentucky attractions. Visitors will marvel at rock formations and learn how the cave was formed millions of years ago. Bring your hiking shoes when you visit the cave, as the tours can be quite strenuous in nature.
Kentucky Center for the Arts
There are a variety of things to do in Kentucky that have to do with art. The Kentucky Center for the Arts is the state’s premier place to see a live musical performances and an array of art exhibits. The Center for the arts has been famous ever since the early 1980’s when the presidential debates between Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale took place there.
Kentucky Rivers
If you enjoy fishing or white water rafting, head to the Cumberland River and the Big Sandy River for some outdoor fun and a chance to see some natural Kentucky sights. The Cumberland River is popular for fly fishing during the summer time, while the strong current of the Sandy River provides the ideal place to go whitewater rafting.
Articles in category "Kentucky Weddings"
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