Hall of Records ready for nuptials
>> The Butte County Clerk-Recorder’s Office is offering a sweet deal for couples looking to tie the knot on Valentine’s Day.
On Feb. 14 couples may get married, with up to 18 friends and family as witnesses, in a private ceremony room at the Candace J. Grubbs Hall of Records, 155 Nelson Ave.
“It’s a service we can provide the public,” said Brandy Wright, clerk-recorder manager. “It just something we can do that makes Valentine’s Day a little extra special.”
The ceremony room features an arch decorated with flowers for the couple to stand beneath while exchanging their vows. In addition to the ceremony, officiated by a Clerk-Recorder staff member, everything else couples need for their nuptials is also available including the marriage license and a certified copy of the marriage license they can take home.
And, for those spontaneous couples, the Clerk-Recorder’s Office also has a large assortment of both men’s and women’s sterling silver wedding bands as well as bouquet of silk flowers the bride can borrow for the ceremony.
“It’s a one-stop wedding shop,” said Wright. “While we provide the service year-round, Valentine’s Day is special. We give each Valentine’s Day bride a red rose. It’s just a really fun day around here with everybody coming in happy and excited about their future.”
The Clerk-Recorder’s Office began offering Valentine’s Day weddings in 2016 but had to stop the service in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff started the special Valentine’s Day ceremonies again last year and three couples took advantage of the opportunity to say their “I dos.”
There are requirements for getting married at the Clerk-Recorder’s Office. The couple has to be at least 18 years old, have government issued identifications and bring at least one witness.
“We get couples of all ages, a variety of people,” said Wright.
Couples must also have a marriage license, issued by the Clerk-Recorder’s Office. The license costs $96 and may be obtained 30 minutes before the ceremony but, Wright recommends getting it the day before.
The cost of the ceremony is $64 and a certified copy of the marriage license, provided after the ceremony, is $17. Men’s wedding bands are $22 and women’s bands are $16.
Wright— who has officiated at one Valentine’s Day wedding ceremony — said, “It was sweet to be part of someone’s special day.”
Valentine’s Day weddings are being scheduled between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14. To make a reservation call 530-5523400, option 2.