The more, the 'marry'er: five couples marry at annual courthouse Valentine's Day ceremony

The Clerk of the Court Tom Bexley married the couples, one of which were renewing their vows after 42 years of marriage.

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Four couples were married and a fifth renewed their vows at Flagler County courthouse's annual Valentine's Day marriage ceremony.

The courthouse has continued its tradition of a mass-marriage ceremony for years, with Clerk of the Court Tom Bexley presiding over the ceremony since 2018. Aside from when the event was cancelled during the pandemic, Bexley said the courthouse will always continue the tradition, "in some form or other."

Bexley said his favorite part of the ceremony is the way everyone in his team gets into arranging the special day for the couples. The Valentine's Day ceremony was held indoors this year, but Bexley said his staff took the time to decorate the room and procure snacks and gifts, all at their own costs. 

Employee Toni Hollingsworth arranged for the gifts herself, even with several couples showing up last minute. She said she picks out Mr.-and-Mrs. wedding gifts — one gift this year were matching couple aprons — to make sure each couple feels special. 

"I wanted them to just get a little bit of a thank you from us for allowing us to marry them," she said. "it's just something to feel like home. Like maybe family is here for them."

The four couples who were married are: Kathleen Stewart and David Wright; Malakhi Sanders and Jerica Pitts; Austin Marques and Sarah Fultz; Roobens Cine and Tarra Elustin. 

Fultz and Marques said they did not know about the special Valentine's Day ceremony until the two walking into the courthouse. They said they wanted Valentine's Day as their anniversary, but didn't want to wait until they were able to plan a larger ceremony. 

Michele Burpeau and Silvio DiGregorio were the only couple renewing their vows, after 42 years of marriage. Valentine's Day is their actual anniversary, Burpeau said. Both proudly announced they had been been married 504 months — and counting, DiGregorio said.

Looking at Burpeau and DiGregorio, Bexley said, gives him hope for some of the old traditions of marriage.

"They took this time to come renew their vows [with us]," Bexley said. "That's pretty special stuff."

 

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