Sarasota, Manatee counties to celebrate Valentine's Day with group wedding, vow renewal ceremonies
Manatee and Sarasota County officials are hosting special wedding and vow renewal ceremonies on Feb. 14 in honor of Valentine's Day and are inviting area couples to participate in the annual traditions.
The Manatee County Clerk and Comptroller’s Office will host its third annual Valentine’s Day group wedding ceremony and is inviting couples looking to celebrate the day of love in a special way to join.
Last year’s event, hosted in front of the Manatee County Historic Courthouse, united 12 couples, according to a news release.
The ceremony this year will start at 2 p.m. on the front lawn of the historic courthouse at 1115 Manatee Ave. West, the news release stated. If the weather takes a turn towards rain, Manatee County Clerk and Comptroller Angel Colonneso said there is a backup plan in place with the ceremony moving inside the courthouse into the historic courtroom on the upper level.
Colonneso, who officiates the ceremony, came up with the idea to host what would become an annual event after observing other county clerks having widespread success and a positive impact in their communities, noting that Valentine's Day is always a busy time for the marriage license office.
More:Season of Sharing helps dozens of families after halt in Sarasota County childcare aid
Colonneso recalled not really knowing what to expect during the first ceremony in 2020, but remembered it was a beautiful day with perfect weather as 11 couples were wed.
Following the 2020 ceremony, the clerk's office omitted the event in 2021 due to the coronavirus but restarted in 2022. Colonneso said both group wedding events have been a great hit with the community.
"People have come up to me after the two ceremonies we've had so far and thanked me, they thanked me with tears in their eyes, and I never thought that a small gesture like that would mean so much to people," Colonneso said.
Colonneso added that couples of all ages are welcomed to participate, remembering one older couple last year who had met in a retirement home and were married at the ceremony in front of the courthouse. The retirement home's bus chauffeured the couple so they would be able to participate.
Those who participate will receive a printed photograph and a marriage certificate, according to the news release. Refreshments, including cupcakes, and drinks will be served to the couples and guests to celebrate the special moment.
While couples will still need to pay a standard license fee, Colonneso has waived the fees for the ceremony and the photograph. A standard license fee either costs $86 for those who opt-out of taking a pre-marital course through the county or $61 for those who do take the pre-marital course.
Participants in the annual event must obtain a marriage license before Jan. 11 and must sign-up by Feb. 7 through the Eventbrite link, https://third-annual-clerk-vday-group-wedding.eventbrite.com, to be able to take part in the ceremony.
Couples looking to apply for a marriage license to participate can complete an online marriage application and then appear in-person at the Clerk & Comptroller’s Office.
In addition to inviting couples to participate in the group wedding ceremony, Colonneso added the clerk's office is also looking to partner with students from the local college who are musicians to volunteer their time for an hour to play music as a string quartet or solo cellist.
Looking forward:Petito suit, commissioner DUI case and more — 5 Sarasota, Manatee court cases to watch in 2023
In case you missed it:Sarasota Studio Artists Association presents 'Second Saturday Open Studios'
Couples to renew vows at sunset at Siesta Key Beach, Nokomis Beach
In a decades long tradition that started about 30 years ago, couples will gather at Siesta Key Beach and Nokomis Beach to renew their marriage vows as the sun sets on Valentine's Day.
The "Say 'I Do,' Again" event, hosted by Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, will start at 5 p.m., according to a Sarasota County media relations officer. Couples are advised to arrive earlier, around 4:30 p.m. for parking and to check-in. A non-denominational service will begin at 6 p.m., the website stated.
Couples can pre-register by Feb. 10 for $15 in advance or register the day of for $25, according to the Sarasota County official.
Couples can register online at scgov.net/park under the registrations and reservations tab. Once on the new webpage, click the "Calendar of Events" section and scroll over to February and find the event. Couples can also call 941-861-7275 to register.
The ceremony is open to all couples and couples of all ages, and those who participate will receive a commemorative certificate, a gift and a flower, according to the information about the event. There will also be music and light refreshments.
This year, Judge Debra Johnes Riva will officiate at Siesta Key Beach, 948 Beach Road, and Judge Maria Ruhl will officiate at Nokomis Beach, 100 Casey Key Road, according to an email form a Sarasota County official. Officials are estimating that there will be 800 people in attendance at Siesta Key Beach and about 300 at Nokomis Beach, according to the email.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Vow renewal, group wedding ceremonies planned for Valentine's Day
