Couple Becomes First To Get Marriage License And Wed In Cook County In 2016
CHICAGO (CBS) -- When Kinzy Frizzle and Dimitar Stamatov stopped by the Cook County Clerk's office Monday morning to get their marriage license, little did they know they'd end up saying "I do" in front of TV cameras before they left.
Every year, Clerk David Orr provides a free wedding ceremony for the first couple to get a license from his office in the New Year.
"Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created," Cook County Judge Robert Balanoff Sr. said as he performed the ceremony downtown.
After two and a half years together, Frizzle and Stamatov tied the knot in a most unexpected marriage ceremony.
"We knew we wanted to do it this year. We decided might as well just do it on the very first day. We didn't really expect any of all this attention, so that was a bit of a shock," Stamatov said.
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They stopped in at the county clerk's office to get a license on their way to work. Minutes later, the two lovebirds stood in front of a judge to say their vows.
While probably not the first couple to get married in Cook County in 2016 Frizzle -- a Canadian -- and Stamatov -- a Bulgarian-American -- became the first couple to both get a Cook County marriage license AND be wed in 2016.
The two will have a formal wedding in Canada in June, and then visit relatives in Bulgaria.
When asked what brought them together, Stamatov said it "starts with her very beautiful eyes. I sometimes get lost in them."
Frizzle described her newlywed husband as "outgoing, loyal, [and] charming."
"He balances me out, because of how shy I am," she added.
The couple left with some sweet wedding gifts; including a weekend stay at the Palmer House Hilton, a $100 restaurant gift card, flowers, show tickets, and a free marriage license.
