Valentine's Day Wedding Ceremony Open to 30 Couples

The most romantic day of the year is going to be a bit more so as multiple couples gather to "tie the knot" on the steps of the Polk County History Center, the former Polk County Courthouse, on Valentine's Day. The free ceremony is limited to 30 couples and registration is first come, first serve.

The ceremony will take place on Feb. 14 at noon as Clerk & Comptroller Stacy M. Butterfield hosts the 11th annual group wedding on the steps of the historic building. The ceremony is followed by a light reception sponsored by Citizens Bank & Trust.

Couples may register when applying for a marriage license at any of the three Clerk's office locations-the Bartow Courthouse, Lakeland Government Center, or the Northeast Government Center in Lake Alfred. To register, they simply need to state they would like to participate in the event.

"We are excited to be hosting our 11th annual Valentine's Day Group Wedding. Being a part of this special day brings us immense joy, and we're dedicated to ensuring couples have a stress-free and memorable experience," said Butterfield. "We enjoy treating customers to this unique opportunity. We handle the work so they can focus on each other and make the most of their big day."

All couples interested in being part of the ceremony must apply for a marriage license and register for the event by Friday, Feb. 9. Couples must submit the first part of the marriage license application online before visiting any of the three Polk County Clerk's offices to complete the application.

Both individuals must be present to finalize their marriage license, and both must have a valid form of photo ID. Couples must also make sure they know their social security number. The Clerk is waiving the $30 ceremony fee, however standard marriage license fees do apply.

The Polk County History Center is located at 100 E. Main Street in Bartow.

For more information or to register for the wedding, call the Official Records Department at 863-534-4516 or visit the Clerk's office online. Like and follow the Clerk's Facebook and Instagram pages for updates and announcements.