SPRINGFIELD - For the couple in a financial pinch, an elaborate cake, professional photographer and matching champagne flutes are parts of a wedding that could be considered optional.

The marriage license, however, is not.

And Illinois lawmakers moved Friday to make getting married $5 more expensive by adding that much to the cost of a license.

The Senate voted 36-17 to add $5 to marriage licenses in hopes of raising $900,000 a year to help local agencies fight domestic violence. The measure now moves to the House.

Lawmakers sparred Friday over whether the increase was a productive use of the money or an unnecessary fee added to the often long list of wedding expenses.

State Sen. David Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, said that it's not that much money, and domestic violence is worth fighting.

"I just found that for $5, it was a good investment," he said.

Before the plan can become law, the House and Gov. Rod Blagojevich will have to agree.

State Sen. Brad Burzynski, R-Clare, said he thought fighting domestic violence was a good idea but didn't think newly married couples should have to pay for it.

"It's more money for social programs that perhaps need to be funded in other ways," he said.

The legislation is House Bill 3393.

Mike Riopell can be reached at mike.riopell@lee.net or 789-0865.