Two brides win marriage license lottery, become first Cook County couple to tie the knot in 2026
ABC7 Chicago••business
Key Points:
- Melissa Nunez and Elizabeth Branske became the first couple to marry in Cook County in 2026 after winning the clerk's annual marriage license lottery, which saw nearly 1,000 couples enter this year.
- This marks the first time two brides won the marriage license lottery and were married, with previous winners including two men in 2022.
- The couple, who met through a dating app and got engaged in September, received a free marriage license, a one-night hotel stay, and other gifts from the county as part of their wedding celebration.
- Family and friends described their relationship as a happy ending after struggles, and the couple plans to build a strong foundation, celebrate with loved ones, and have more children in
