Next Valentine’s Day will have new meaning for several Jacksonville couples who got married this afternoon at the Duval County Courthouse. The couples were married by Clerk of the Circuit and County Courts Ronnie Fussell at the courthouse Friday in a mass marriage ceremony. The ceremony was the second annual event of its kind organized by the city.
Newly married Blondeva Wilkinson didn't know Valentine's Day would be her wedding anniversary until earlier today.
"He surprised me with it for a valentine’s gift," she said, referring to her husband, Darrell. "We’ve been engaged but I didn’t know the date.” said Blondeva.
“I woke up and just asked her let’s do it Friday,” said Darrell.
Fussell explained why he was inspired to start the tradition.
“This beautiful building and the backdrop of this along with the staff up here thought it would be a really neat thing to do so they put it together,” he said.
Following the ceremony, the newlyweds attended a reception that included cupcakes donated by The Cake Shop of San Jose, and free wedding photos.
You can follow Cole Gordon on Twitter at @Cagordon33Cole.
