Couples celebrate Valentine's Day by getting married

College students Simone Gardine and Yves Estriplet had planned to get married at Hempstead Town Hall to save money. They just hadn't planned on doing it on Valentine's Day.

But when town employees said last month they could do it on the year's most romantic day, the timing seemed right.

"I thought it was pretty convenient so that I could have my family members present," said Simone, 29, of Valley Stream, who said the couple needs to economize because they're expecting a baby. "And Valentine's Day makes it even more special: He won't be able to forget our anniversary."

So they became one of more than 25 couples - including some from Oyster Bay, Babylon and Huntington - who wed or renewed their vows Sunday. Town Clerk Mark Bonilla, who marries couples routinely on weekdays, did the honors in his office. Supervisor Kate Murray, a former clerk, joined in on Valentine's Day, which sees more ceremonies than any other day.

Town employees who volunteered to work made the old courtroom where Murray officiated seem less institutional by erecting a white arbor surrounded by vases of flowers as a backdrop for the supervisor and an arch of red, white and pink balloons for couples to walk under as they proceeded down the aisle to "Canon In D" by Pachelbel played on a boombox.

Murray led Simone, an English and elementary education major at York College, and Yves, 27, who is studying economics at Nassau Community College and is also from Valley Stream, through a basic traditional ceremony, lasting only a few minutes.

After groom kissed bride, Murray said "congratulations," applause erupted and the supervisor led them to the rear of the room as "The Wedding March" played. Thanks to local sponsoring businesses, each couple received a red rose and box of chocolates. Murray offered a toast with sparkling cider for "many years of health and happiness" and led them to a communal sheet cake inscribed "Happy Valentine's Day" and suggested she make a ceremonial cut "with your husband. How does that sound?" Then the couple and guests nibbled on heart-shaped pizza and cookies.

"It's amazing," Simone, who was wearing a champagne-colored gown with a train and veil, said of the experience the town provided. "It's a beautiful setting. I wasn't expecting all this." Her husband added, "Valentine's Day is the day you celebrate love and for us it was love at first sight."

Jade and Jackson Deng, both 27, of Farmingdale, chose to marry Sunday because they wanted a small civil ceremony and a weekend wedding. "We decided to get married on Valentine's Day because it's also Chinese New Year," Jade said. "It's a very big day in Chinese culture" and one that brings good luck, said her new husband, an accountant.

Asked if she had plans for celebrating Valentine's Day after the wedding marathon, Murray said "yes - going home and putting my feet up."