Couples Get Hitched at Mass Wedding Ceremony
Newark, NJ – As a part of an annual St. Valentine's Day tradition, 23 couples celebrated the holiday by tying the knot Feb. 11 at the Newark Municipal Court.
Municipal Court Chief Judge Richard E.A. Nunes said the mass weddings usually take place on Valentine's Day but were performed earlier this year so couples could enjoy a honeymoon over the four-day President's Day holiday weekend.
"Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday this year, during a four-day holiday weekend, which is why we are providing Newark residents an opportunity to hold their wedding prior to this extended weekend, allowing couples more time to celebrate their most special day." Nunes said. "We look forward to this every year. It's such an exciting time. Everyone worked hard to prepare for the weddings today."
Reservations and marriage license applications had to be submitted in advance and weddings were held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The court staff processed marriage licenses and civil union certificates.
Couples were guided to courtrooms, where judges were assigned in rotation to perform each ceremony individually. Interpreters were available to assist Spanish and Portuguese speakers. Couples were required to provide a valid marriage license and two witnesses to get married or be joined in a civil union.
Judge Diana E. Montes greeted families and couples in her courtroom with chocolate kisses and lollipops then performed weddings in English or Spanish, depending on the couples' choice of language.
"This is my favorite part of the job," Montes said. "I love to perform marriages."
The nuptials of Morris Williams, a dean at the Team Academy Charter School, and Kasanu Sims, a case manager at the same school, united their families as Sims already has a son and a daughter, while Williams brings a son to the marriage.
"We're very excited to come together," Sims said. "All the kids get along."
Dress code for the weddings ranged from t-shirts and jeans to formal wedding gowns and many came with their children and families. After taking vows, swapping rings and signing paperwork, the newlyweds headed for the wedding trellis for formal photographs.
In the Court's chambers, Nunes wedded Gerald A. Marshall to Regina Suzette Lee.
The East Ward couple said they will take a harbor cruise over the weekend, and has planned a honeymoon to the Bahamas at the end of the month.
"This was an excellent wedding," said Williams' nine-year-old son Davontae Davids, a Discovery Charter School fourth-grader.
Last year the Municipal Court united 35 couples in marriages or civil unions and in 2008, the marathon wedding ceremonies saw the nuptials of 56 couples. The record was 100 couples united in 2002.
For further information on obtaining marriage licenses and civil unions, contact Marriage Licenses at (973) 733-3825.
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