SMC Offering Extended Hours For Valentine's Day Weddings

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — Love will be in the air a little longer next week as the San Mateo County Clerk's Office offers extended hours on Valentine's Day for those lovebirds hoping to tie the knot on Feb. 14.

Officials at the clerk's office will be performing a civil ceremony every 30 minutes, between 8 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. to help meet the "increased demand" on the romantic date. Last year, 21 weddings were held at the San Mateo County clerk's office, as opposed to just four on an average day.

"Valentine’s Day is the most popular wedding day of the year — every year," Mark Church, San Mateo County’s elected Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder and Chief Elections Officer, said in a news release. "It is a very special day, and we will be extending our office hours to accommodate the increased demand for wedding ceremonies."

The SMC ceremonies last 25 minutes and include "unique amenities not typically found in a standard rented location," county officials said. This includes the option of a webcast service, so loved ones can watch the wedding live.

"A long stem red rose will also be presented to all couples who wed on Valentine’s Day," officials noted.

If you want to get married on Valentine's Day at the clerk's office, you will need to make a reservation. You'll also need to be sure to secure a marriage license ahead of time.

To schedule and learn more about this special ceremony, visit the County Clerk’s website at https://apps.smcacre.org/marsched/schedule.aspx.