I am not looking for the grand romantic story, but just the average proposal. Did you go somewhere special to both of you? Do it over dinner at a restaurant? In front of people or alone?

My fiance and I are having an intimate wedding (under 35 people) and want to have one of our friends officiate our wedding. Is this possible? Or do we need to get married beforehand in a courthouse and have a "pretend" ceremony if we want her to "marry us"? I've read online that Connecticut doesn't allow people to officiate if they receive an online certificate... and I'm trying to understand the difference between an officiant and justice of the peace! Any suggestions?