The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
COUPLES SAY ‘I DO’ ON VALENTINE’S DAY AT COURTHOUSE
NORRISTOWN » With tears of joy in her eyes and abundant love in her heart, Vi Nguyen Tuong Tran of Pottstown said exchanging wedding vows with her beloved Vu D. Pham on Valentine’s Day made the event “two times bigger.”
“It’s very overwhelming. It’s really very special, especially when it’s Valentine’s Day, so it’s two times bigger,” the gushing bride said as her voice quivered with emotion. “It’s now the official day that really we will be together, so it’s very meaningful for us.”
Montgomery County Judge Garrett D. Page told the couple, “It’s a day you’ll always remember.”
“The wedding ring is an outward sign of your spiritual bond,” Page told the couple as they exchanged rings. “This is a brand new beginning of your life, a day that you will always cherish. It’s a dawn of a new life for you as you stand together with love in your eyes.”
Page and seven other judges were Cupids in robes for a day, presiding over the weddings of more than a dozen couples on Wednesday. Many of the couples, who braved the glare of television cameras and reporters as witnesses to their nuptials, learned about the special program via a flyer that was posted
in the county’s marriage license office.
Judge Risa Vetri Ferman, who spearheaded the special program, said the judges were honored to be a part of so many milestones. The joy surrounding the weddings was a welcome distraction from usual courthouse business.
“As judges, we know that people come into court in very distressed states, they’re often surrounded by trauma. Whether it’s in family court, criminal court or civil court, they’re dealing with very distressing situations in their lives,” said Ferman, “Here, they can come to our courthouse on Valentine’s Day and really celebrate their lives and come on a really joyful day.”
Ferman, who wore red, suede pumps in honor of the holiday, presided over the nuptials of Norristown-area couple Cristin Manera and Brandon Crowder, whose wedding was 17 years in the making. Several friends and family members appeared filled with emotion as the couple said their “I do’s.”
“Today is the special day of love. This way you can’t forget. It’s what we’ve always wanted,” Cristin beamed, explaining the couple met through a mutual friend 17 years ago and have been together ever since.
“It means I can finally really take care of her,” said Brandon. “She’s mine now.”
Many of the couples joked that one advantage of marrying on Valentine’s Day is that one will never forget an anniversary.
The weddings were held in the ceremonial courtroom, which was decorated with vases filled with red roses. A table filled with candies and desserts was arranged by the judges’ staff members, who used cameras and cellphones to snap photos of the happy couples, obviously enjoying being witnesses to the exchanges of love.
Ferman, Page and fellow judges Gail A. Weilheimer, Carolyn T. Carluccio, Gary S. Silow, Richard P. Haaz, Kelly C. Wall and Jeffrey S. Saltz alternated in presiding over the weddings.
Love was also in the air at District Court in Norristown where Judge Greg Scott presided over several nuptials. Apparently the amorous feelings may