The waiting room at the Fulton County Magistrate’s office was a hub of activity Thursday as people took advantage of the free weddings being officiated by the county’s staff of judges.
“We thought it was a great idea for people to be able to ring in the new year,” Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk told WSB’s Jonathan O’Brien. “This is an opportunity for us to reunite families; the best way to do that is with weddings.”
Kirk said they always offer free weddings during Valentine’s Day and decided to extend that to this season.
“I’m very happy and grateful to have this opportunity to get married to my wonderful woman here and spend forever with her,” Dekalb County resident Rochelle Richards said.
Chelsey Lucio and her fiancé, Taylor Holton, were in the courthouse to get their marriage license. “We were going to come back after Christmas, but we’re here,” Lucio said.
The pair have been engaged since May and have a formal ceremony scheduled for next summer.
“This is like the warm-up wedding; this one’s for the tax and the government, the next one’s for the family,” Holton stated.
Volunteers helped to usher the couples and their guests to the chapel down the hall.
“I think it’s a wonderful thing that people are getting married before Christmas,” volunteer Valerie Fowler-Robinson said. “Christmas is more for unity and family, so I’m excited for them.”
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