DADE CITY, Fla. – Valentine’s Day in Dade City took on its traditional romantic flair this Saturday as 21 couples gathered on the lawn of the Historic Pasco County Courthouse to exchange vows.
The 18th Annual Valentine’s Day Wedding Ceremony, a long-standing event organized by the Office of Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller, transformed the downtown landmark into a hub of “love, commitment, and new beginnings.”
Under clear Florida skies, the Honorable Judge Linda Babb officiated the 11 a.m. group ceremony, which saw couples standing “hand in hand, eyes locked, hearts full.” While the event allows for up to 25 pairs, this year’s group of 21 included both new marriages and couples who returned to the courthouse to renew their existing vows.
The ceremony remains a “cherished Valentine’s Day tradition in Pasco County,” designed to offer a “joyful, community-centered celebration” without the costs typically associated with a large wedding.
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To support the couples starting their lives together, local businesses contributed various “complimentary offers and services” tucked into marriage packets handed out after the ceremony. Among these was a free will preparation provided by Alfonso Hersch, P.A., Attorneys at Law.
The Clerk’s office also provided an expert photography team on-site “to capture the ceremony and individual couple portraits, provided free of charge.”
Following the exchange of rings and the judge’s final words, the newlyweds and their families moved to a reception area for refreshments.
The event, held at 37918 Meridian Avenue, continues to serve as a high-volume alternative for residents looking for a public yet intimate way to mark the holiday. As the 18th iteration of the program concludes, the Clerk’s office maintains that the goal is simply to bring the community together to celebrate “new beginnings” in a historic setting.
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