Melissa Nunez and Elizabeth Branske First to Marry in Cook County 2026
A momentous occasion unfolded in Cook County as Melissa Nunez and Elizabeth Branske became the first couple to marry in 2026. This landmark event marks a significant celebration of love in the county.
Couple Background
Melissa Nunez, a 27-year-old hair stylist from Chicago’s Southwest Side, and Elizabeth Branske, a 25-year-old retail worker from Elk Grove Village, started their journey together through a dating app. After two years of dating, the pair got engaged in September 2025.
Marriage License Lottery
The couple’s wedding was made possible through Cook County’s annual marriage license lottery. Nunez proposed the idea to enter the lottery after hearing about it at work. This year set a record with nearly 1,000 entries, the highest in the 35 years of the event’s history.
- Number of entries: Nearly 1,000
- Record year: Highest entries in 35 years
After the first couple selected in the lottery dropped out, Nunez and Branske received an unexpected call informing them of their win.
A Historic Ceremony
This wedding is particularly significant as it marks the first time two brides have won the marriage license lottery in Cook County’s history. Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon praised the couple, stating, “I believe in forever love.”
Wedding Gifts and Celebrations
As a wedding gift, the county provided the couple with a complimentary marriage license and a one-night stay at a downtown hotel, along with other special gifts. Family and friends who attended the ceremony shared their joy for the couple, seeing their relationship as a happy ending after personal struggles.
Following the ceremony, the couple and their loved ones celebrated with pizza. Nunez and Branske now reside on the Northwest Side of Chicago, looking forward to building a life together, including plans for more children.
Looking Ahead
Instead of an extravagant honeymoon, the couple plans to celebrate with family and friends now and hold a larger celebration the following year. With 2026 heralded as a year of love and prosperity, Nunez and Branske are excited for what lies ahead.
