Hamden to resume offering free Valentine’s Day weddings

HAMDEN — This Valentine’s Day, up to 10 lucky town couples will get a free wedding ceremony and reception.

The town is bringing back a tradition of waiving the fee for marriage licenses on the holiday, a practice that goes back to former Town Clerk Vera Morrison’s 26-year tenure in office.

“Vera Morrison started this,” said current Town Clerk Karimah Mickens, who is serving her first term on the job as Morrison’s successor. “She thought that the community really loved it. I thought it was a great idea and wanted to just build on a longstanding tradition that we’ve had in the town.”

Morrison began the tradition in the mid-1990s, but it’s been a few years since it was last honored, according to Mickens, who said the practice may have stopped due to COVID-19.

“I love anything that’s about building community,” she said. “Love is in the air. We need more of it.”

This year;s ceremony will take place in the rotunda of Hamden Memorial Town Hall, Mickens said, and the cost for a justice of the peace also will be covered.

So far, Mayor Lauren Garrett, Legislative Council President Dominique Baez, D-at large, and state Rep. Liz Linehan, DCheshire, have agreed to help perform the ceremonies, Mickens said.

She plans to offer the service to ten couples on a first-come, first-served basis. The ceremonies will be followed by a reception in the Legislative Council Chambers.

“If you were going to do a reception, my intent is to mirror that,” Mickens said. “It won’t be lobster, but it will be quality … I want to make sure it’s a fun experience for every couple that goes through the process.”

The town is seeking local businesses willing to donate items for the reception, she said.

Marriage licenses normally cost $50. Couples interested in participating and businesses interested in supporting the reception can call the town clerk’s office at (203) 2877028 or email townclerk@hamden.com.