AMERICAN WEDDINGS BLOG
Stay up to date with the latest wedding ceremony trends, script writing inspiration, tips and advice for first-time officiants, and news that matters to couples and wedding ministers.
Stay up to date with the latest wedding ceremony trends, script writing inspiration, tips and advice for first-time officiants, and news that matters to couples and wedding ministers.
Published Monday, Jan. 27th, 2025
Love is in the air as Valentine’s Day marketing machine kicks back into gear, and some lucky couples are celebrating the occasion with free or low cost weddings! Professional wedding officiants, city clerks, and judges across the country are offering special rates to honor Cupid’s favorite wedding date.
Valentine’s Day is always one of the busiest wedding dates of the year, and we expect this year to be even busier than usual, especially for LGBTQ+ couples. As threats to same-sex marriage protections increase, many queer couples are choosing to marry sooner rather than later – making Valentine’s Day a convenient and sweet choice.
If you’re a professional wedding officiant, take note! This is a great time to support LGBTQ+ couples and love in all its forms, and to experiment with group wedding services. Group weddings are a perfect match for small businesses and busy holiday wedding dates, because you can marry more than one couple at a time.
There are dozens of fun events happening all over the country (more than we can count!), and we’ve rounded up a few of the sweetest deals for couples below. Take a look to see some of the marriage magic headed your way on Friday, February 14th, 2025.
How popular is it to get married on Valentine's day? According to some sources, almost 16,000 couples get married on the holiday each year! (Photo: Evrymmnt / iStock)
A Note on Marriage Licenses: Couples must purchase a marriage license to get married; this is separate from the cost of the ceremony. You will need to apply for a marriage license before your wedding ceremony, and there may be a 1-3 day waiting period between when you apply for the license and when it can be used. See more details by clicking the link below:
In Arkansas, couples can get married for free in a unique Spanish-English bilingual group wedding at the William F. Laman Public Library. This free ceremony is made possible by community donations and will be co-officiated by ordained English-speaking and Spanish-speaking ministers. The library will be decorated for the special occasion: Laman Library to host Valentine's Day Group Wedding for the public
In California, couples have their choice of fun, low-cost Valentine's Day weddings!
Long Beach, CA: Couples near Long Beach can get married for just $14 at the Cute Little Wedding Chapel Valentine’s Special.
Santa Clarita: The City of Santa Clarita City Hall is hosting the ‘The Big I Do’ event again this year, offering couples an all-inclusive group wedding experience at a lower price: The Big I Do 2025 Event Information
In Colorado, couples can get married in a unique all-day event in Loveland for around $150. This annual event in Sweetheart City includes music, food and drinks, and lots of fun: Sweetheart City Wedding Package Promises Personalized Romance this Valentine's Day
Past coverage: Valentine’s Day Group Wedding in Sweetheart City delivers Big Feels, in Bulk!
In Florida, couples have their choice of free wedding ceremonies to choose from!
Bartow, FL: Couples can travel to Bartow for a free group wedding ceremony in historic Fort Blount Park, officiated by Clerk & Comptroller Stacy Butterfield. Find out more about the time and location of this event here: Valentine's Day Offers Annual Free Wedding Event
Palm Beach, FL: Couples near the 1916 Palm Beach County Courthouse can get married for free by Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller Joseph Abruzzo. Registration is needed, find out more here: Registration Now Open For Free Valentine’s Day Group Wedding
St. Augustine, FL: Couples can say ‘I do’ for free, or join for a free Valentine’s Day vow renewal, at The Carriage House this year. The group wedding and vow renewal will be officiated by Judge Howard O. McGillin Jr.: Share the love: St. Johns County hosting annual group wedding for Valentine’s Day
Tallahassee, FL: A free, luxurious group wedding will take place at Goodwood Museum & Gardens, officiated by Clerk Gwen Knight: Looking to get married? Leon County Clerk of Courts plans Valentine's Day ceremony
Tampa, FL: A free group vow renewal will be held downtown at the Tampa Theater (this is not a wedding!): Tampa’s most romantic event: Vow renewals at historic Tampa Theatre
In Georgia: Couples have their pick of free weddings this year!
Cumming, GA: Residents of Forsyth County can marry for free at the Forsyth County Probate Court this year. Ceremonies will be officiated by Probate Court Judge Daisy Weeks-Marisko: Probate Court to Host Free Wedding Ceremonies on Valentine's Day
Jonesboro, GA: Couples can get married for free at Clayton County Magistrates Court. Registration is required: JonesboroGovt Instagram Link
In Minnesota, district court judges all over the state are providing free wedding services, including judges at Beltrami County, Hennepin County District Court, and St. Louis County District Court. See the full list of locations and how to arrange your ceremony here: Minnesota Judicial Branch to offer free Valentine's Day weddings
In New Jersey, the Hominy Hill Clubhouse in Colts Neck is asking couples to sign up for a free group wedding on the golf course. This group ceremony will be officiated by Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon: Couples needed for free N.J. group wedding on Valentine’s Day
In New Mexico, couples will have their pick of free wedding ceremonies hosted by Morning Star United Methodist Church. The first of these events will take place at the Plaza De Las Cruces, and again later at Little Toad Creek Brewery and Distillery. Both events are open to all couples. Couples must make an appointment ahead of time to apply for their marriage license with the Doña Ana County Clerk’s office. Find more details here: Free weddings offered in Las Cruces on Valentine's Day
In Texas, couples have their choice of locations to get married for free!
San Antonio, TX: The Bexar County Courthouse is continuing its tradition of hosting free weddings on Valentine’s Day. This year’s mass wedding (group wedding) will be officiated by County Clerk Lucy Adame-Clark: Couples can get married for free on Valentine’s Day at Bexar County Courthouse
Pharr, TX: Couples can marry for free in the City of Pharr at the Pharr One French Garden, in a ceremony officiated by Judge Jerry Munoz. Plus all newlyweds will be featured on a billboard! (How sweet!) Learn more: City of Pharr welcomes couples to tie the knot on Valentine’s Day
Become a wedding officiant online with free ordination through American Marriage Ministries (AMM).
|* custom-button, "https://theamm.org/ordination-application", "ORDAINED MINISTER ONLINE APPLICATION" *|
Why AMM? American Marriage Ministries is an inclusive nondenominational internet church that ordains and trains ministers to officiate marriage ceremonies. We are a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit church, and help people from all backgrounds and beliefs become ordained ministers for weddings. Our online ordination is free, accessible, and never expires.
Officiating weddings is an incredible honor -- on Valentine's Day and any other day! And it's a great way to show your love and support for the people getting married. As a wedding officiant, you will help to create memorable ceremonies and memories that last a lifetime.
AMM Ministers can legally officiate weddings in every state* (it's much harder in Virginia, where we're looking into our options). After getting ordained with AMM, you might need to register your ordination with your local county clerk’s office. Click the link above to get started!
Become an ordained minister online with American Marriage Ministries and officiate wedding for friends and relatives. (Photo: Pilin_Petunyia / iStock)
Become a Wedding Officiant with Our Free Online Ordination!