'Bride' and 'groom' to be restored to Calif. forms

Those designations were taken off when same-sex marriage became legal

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updated 6:25 p.m. ET Oct. 6, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO - California health officials say the words "bride" and "groom" will reappear on marriage license applications starting next month.

In a notice posted on its Web site, the California Department of Public Health says many couples still wanted the option of identifying themselves in traditional terms.

When same-sex marriage became legal in the state on June 16, new marriage forms were issued with "Party A" and "Party B" where "bride" and "groom" used to be.

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The new paperwork, which county clerks must start using Nov. 17, will have space for applicants' names next to optional boxes for checking "bride" or "groom."