My question involves marriage law for the State of: Kentucky

I am getting married next week and we have decided to do something somewhat weird. We are going to get officially married by the courts the morning of the wedding and then have a kind of mock service in the evening. Here lies my question.

It is my understanding that Kentucky does not have a waiting period (some websites say 3 days but we spoke with the county clerk and they said no waiting period at all) but what about getting the courts involved to marry us? Do I need to inform them ahead of time that we wish to be married as well as getting a license? Is that the same thing? I just couldn't find any information on this really. There is mention of getting the marriage license solemnized but we aren't really having a religious wedding.

Also, how many witnesses are needed? I thought I read 2.

Thanks in advance everyone.