Free walk-up weddings on Valentine's Day at Plaza de Las Cruces

From Staff Reports
·2 min read
Wedding rings
Wedding rings

LAS CRUCES - Morning Star Church will be offering free weddings at the Plaza de Las Cruces on Valentine's Day, no reservations required.

Couples may walk up to the plaza at 100 N. Main St. to participate. Ceremonies will take place in the order that couples arrive from noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 14. Rev. Amy Wilson Feltz and friends of Morning Star Church will facilitate the ceremonies as a gift to the community of Las Cruces as the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed ceremonies.

"We at Morning Star recognize that the pandemic has delayed wedding plans for many, and cost can be a factor in any season," Wilson Feltz said in a news release. "It is our hope that these free outdoor ceremonies at the Plaza De Las Cruces will remove some of those barriers and enable couples to celebrate their commitments in a fun and safe environment.”

Stuart Davenport, executive minister at Morning Star Church, said they hope to be able to provide drive-up ceremonies for couples as well, but details are still being worked out.

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Couples who are married during this event will receive a professional photograph to commemorate the day. Flowers, cupcakes and sparkling cider will be provided for the couples' "reception" while supplies last.

“We are looking forward to witnessing these expressions of love with members of our community in a time when such celebration is needed, now more than ever,” Wilson Feltz said.

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For the ceremony to be legally recognized as a marriage, an official marriage license must be obtained from the Doña Ana County Clerk’s office before the wedding. The office is at 845 N. Motel Blvd. Appointments to obtain a marriage license are available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Two weeks’ notice is recommended to ensure availability of appointment. Visit www.donaanacounty.org/clerk/marriage or call 575- 647-7421 for more information about licenses.

Couples without a license will still be able to participate in a ceremony, though the marriage will not be legally recognized.

For questions about the free ceremonies, call 575-521-3770.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Free weddings on Valentine's Day at Plaza de Las Cruces