Planning a wedding can take months. Now imagine getting ready for more than 150 weddings all in a single day.
That’s exactly what the County is doing as it gears up for an influx of Valentine’s Day ceremonies tomorrow.
Planning began back in September 2025. Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest — and happiest — days of the year for the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s (ARCC) office. Employees can’t help but get into the spirit of it all.
Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year for the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s (ARCC) office. And one of the happiest. Employees can’t help but get into the spirit of it all.
“We’re excited,” said Recorder/County Clerk Assistant Division Chief Denisse Levy.
Last year, Valentine’s Day fell on a Friday, and ARCC conducted 175 weddings across five offices. This year, with the holiday landing on a Saturday, the County will open its most popular location — the historic County Administration Center, featuring marriage rooms and outdoor arbors overlooking San Diego Bay.
Demand is high. Appointments opened Dec. 27 and the initial slots 82 slots were gone by Jan. 20. The County expanded to 120, then 165 appointments. As of Friday, only seven appointments remain.
To make the day special, ARCC staff will:
- Issue marriage licenses and officiate ceremonies
- Provide marriage certificates on the spot (instead of the usual 7–10 day wait)
- Offer free parking at the Ash Street garage
- Coordinate with vendors for treats, flowers, and Valentine’s-themed coffee
- Partner with the Larry Himmel Foundation to give away 20 free weddings—10 first-come, first-served and 10 via radio promotions
Couples without appointments can still walk in for a ceremony until the building closes at 5 p.m. Behind the scenes, employees are setting up counters, chairs, tents, overflow rooms, and decorations to handle 15–20 weddings per hour.
“I tell myself to have fun,” says Levy. “Getting married is really special and I’m glad we get to be a part of that.”
On average, the office issues nearly 25,000 marriage licenses and conducts more than 11,000 weddings each year. Nearly half of customers who request a marriage license also hold their wedding ceremonies at an ARCC office.
