Page 125 - The Circle of Life
P. 125
Congratulations. I pray you have a long and happy union and I never see you in
my office again. Work on it and keep God involved. That I hear is the secret of a
good marriage. A family who prays together stays together.
The newlyweds and witnesses then sign the marriage register which is sent to
the Department of Home Affairs to be recorded and the marriage officer usually
send you the marriage certificate which you must keep safe as it is needed in
the divorce court later (I hope not). He will also give you a copy of the register
(receipt if you wish) for now. Interestingly a marriage officer may not demand
any payment for performing a marriage as he is paid a salary and that would be
corruption. A Clergyman may accept a fee for blessing the marriage though and
it is custom here to invite him to the reception also. Some drink quite a bit.
Last word on marriage
Phyllis Diller, the comedienne once said "Whatever you may look like, marry a
man your own age; as your beauty fades, so will his eyesight."
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