Couples wanting to make the most romantic day of the year extra special, with a wedding or vow renewal, are encouraged to register for the Pinellas Clerk’s 15th Annual Valentine’s Day Wedding Ceremony. Up to forty couples, twenty couples for the ceremony and twenty couples for renewals, are expected to be joined together on Valentine’s Day, Sunday, February 14, 2021 in the picturesque Florida Botanical Gardens.
Couples must register online no later than Friday, February 5, 2021 by visiting https://clerkvalentinesdaywedding.eventbrite.com. Registration will be limited and on a first-come first-served based.
To be eligible to participate in the Valentine’s Day Wedding event, application for a marriage license must be made between December 16, 2020 and February 11, 2021. The Clerk has waived the normal $30.00 ceremony fee. Standard marriage license fees will still apply. Wedding photography packages are being offered and may be purchased through Eventbrite link.
“Despite the modifications needed to ensure the safety of our couples and staff, the Valentine’s Day Group Wedding is still an event we look forward to every year and we are excited to see this year’s couples” said Ken Burke, Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. “Helping local and out-of-state citizens get married or renew their vows is an honor and we are thrilled to be part of their big day.”
Accounting for social distancing guidelines due to COVID-19, there will be two ceremonies, 1:30 p.m. for renewals and 2:00 p.m. for the wedding ceremony. The Clerk’s office will live stream the ceremony and provide individually packaged cupcakes and bottled water to all attendees. The ceremonies will take place in the Wedding Garden of the Florida Botanical Gardens located at 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33774. The couples will be required to preregister up to two guest maximum to ensure appropriate social distancing. Couples should arrive by 1:00 p.m. on Valentine’s Day with their marriage license and identification. Wedding photography packages may be purchased through the Eventbrite registration link and will be mailed to the couples after the ceremony. Masks for the guests in red and white will also be distributed at the check-in table.
A single ceremony will unite each couple participating in the wedding ceremony. Couples will receive a special Commemorative Marriage Certificate, which will be mailed with the official Certificate of Marriage within one week from the date of the ceremony.