Franklin County Municipal Court Judges Officiate 67 Weddings on Valentine’s Day

By Okon Ekpenyong

About 67 couples exchanged vows on the 22nd floor of the Franklin County Municipal and Probate Courts, continuing one of Central Ohio’s most beloved Valentine’s Day traditions.

From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., couples lined up for first‑come, first‑served ceremonies — an accessible, affordable setup that draws families from across the county, including many immigrant and first‑generation couples.

Judges Zach Gwin, Bill Hedrick, Ajmeri Hoque, Mark Hummer, Mike McAllister, and Eileen Y. Paley officiated throughout the day, with Judge McAllister closing the afternoon by marrying a young couple expecting their first child.

The celebration blended civic joy with personal meaning. Family members offered a blessing — “When a man finds himself a good wife, he finds a good thing, bringing favor from the Lord” — and the bride said the day felt exactly right as they began a new chapter surrounded by loved ones. Judge McAllister reflected that courthouse work often involves difficult moments, but these weddings are “the best part of my job because it is about celebrating love.”

With balloons, families, and joyful couples filling the hallways, the 22nd floor became a place of hope, proving that love stories can begin anywhere, even in a courthouse.

To celebrate Valentine’s Day falling on a Saturday in 2026, the courts offered streamlined wedding services at a single, convenient location, a first for Franklin County couples.

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