BRADENTON, Fla. — Valentine’s Day is generally a very popular day for weddings, and the office of the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller spent the day celebrating couples, performing 12 marriage ceremonies and issuing 14 marriage licenses.
The staff of the Marriage License and Passport Division provided each couple applying for a marriage license with a red carnation, cupcakes, a 4-inch by 6-inch wedding photo print, digital photos of their wedding and a commemorative certificate to rejoice the special occasion.
“This is the first time the Manatee County Clerk’s Office has done this,” said Angel Colonneso, Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. “We wanted to do something special for couples in our community that wanted to exchange their vows on Valentine’s Day. Our office hopes to continue the tradition and do more special things for couples in the future.”
Among the couples that got married that day was Manatee County residents Willie Walker and his bride Mia Mathis Walker.
“We’ve been together for 17 years and started dating on Feb. 14, so we decided today would be the day,” said Mathis Walker. “Neither one of us are big ceremony people. We just wanted something small.”
Tim Palmer and Krystal Purvis Palmer also exchanged vows after dating for 14 years. They picked Feb. 14 because they thought it would be special.
About the Manatee County Clerk of the Court
The Florida Constitution established the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller as a public trustee, independently elected to protect public funds and public records while executing the functions of Clerk of the Circuit Court, County Comptroller, Treasurer and Auditor, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners and County Recorder. The Clerk oversees a staff of more than 275 people, responsible for performing nearly 1,000 constitutional or statutory functions or duties, representing the broadest and most diverse mantle of responsibility of any locally elected official. The citizens of Manatee County elect the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller to a four-year term. Currently, Angelina M. Colonneso serves as the Clerk of the Court. For more information, call 941-749-1800 or visit www.ManateeClerk.com.