Virginia is NOT for Lovers

So our plan was to get married in Virginia and to have our good friend Judge Cardone, for whom I am currently clerking in El Paso, perform the ceremony. . . .

Not going to happen.

Our dear state legislators in their infinite wisdom have decided that out-of-state federal judges are forbidden from performing the wedding ceremonies within the Commonwealth while local clergy still can. See Va. Code Ann. § 20-25.

In other words, Brother Maynard from the local Church of the Holy Hand Grenade can get a dispensation from a nearby Circuit Court if he can show that he's lived in town for a while, but a United States District Judge from out of the state cannot.

Regardless, plans are moving forward. May 18 looks like the date for now, though we don't know for sure where yet. We may have to ask another judge, or we may be going to Maryland. See Md. Code, Family Law § 2-406. Things seem a little less insane there.

We will keep everyone posted!