Courts to celebrate Valentine's Day

CLOVIS — Valentine’s Day stands out as a day for couples to celebrate their love. The Ninth Judicial Court District in Curry and Roosevelt counties has decided to go the extra mile to make it a little more special for some couples.

The local courts will be offering free wedding services on Valentine’s Day for the second annual Cupid Court event on Feb. 14. The Roosevelt County Courthouse will be open from 9 a.m. to noon for the event, while the Curry County Courthouse will open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

All that’s required is that couples show up with a valid marriage license and at least two witnesses for the ceremony.

The courthouse will be decorated for the event and each couple married at the Cupid Court will receive a complimentary wedding photo, a rose and a gift bag.

Coordinator Katherine Grubelnik says couples usually only need to spend 30 minutes at the event, with the ceremony itself only lasting 10 minutes on average, varying slightly if the bride and groom bring rings and vows to exchange or if family and friends want to take photos.

The event married 23 couples last year and Grubelnik hopes to top that with at least 25 this year.

Court marriages are always free, according to Grubelnik, but busy judges often don’t have the time to perform weddings on a regular basis. The Cupid Court helps clear the schedule for wedding ceremonies.

“Some people don’t want the hassle of planning and coordinating a wedding. The Cupid Court provides a decorated venue where a couple just has to show up, focus on each other and their vows, and get married,” Grubelnik said. “All the other details, from decorations to photos and flowers, are all taken care of.”

Grubelnik added that the Cupid Court is also an occasion where members of the court can see residents at their best, instead of when they may be down coming in for a court case.

To schedule a wedding or for more information: contact Grubelnik at 575-742-7525.