L.A. County Registrar’s Office filled with happy couples eager to tie the knot

LOS ANGELES - Hearts, flowers, and paper work? That’s the way it goes at the L.A. County Registrar’s Office on Valentine’s Day. 

Brides, grooms and their families sit in a waiting room for their turn to get married.  

Once their names are called they file into an office with partitioned spaces and a lectern for the officiant. A. Mauricio Lupong, Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages tells Stacy and George Lara that marriage is a solemn contract, not to be entered into lightly.  

Stacy and George have been a couple for 13 years. Last year, they decided to marry and came here with their family. 

In the next cubicle, the Gonzalez-Sanchez families witness Laura and Ed’s union. After 10 years and two children, they finally decided to make it official, all for the low, low price of $141. 

A reasonable price for a bride so valuable. “It’s worth it, of course, she’s worth a lot, Ed Sanchez told me. 

He teared up during their ceremony and after he kissed his bride, he was handed a tissue to wipe away happy tears. 

Valentine’s Day is the only day, when the County Registrar allows couples to walk in, buy the license and say their “I do’s”.

There are extra officiants on hand, to conduct the ceremony, help the couples sign the paper work and utter that phrase, “You may now seal your vows with a kiss.” All in just 15 minutes.  Because on Valentine’s Day, as soon as one couple finishes, there’s another ready for their precious moment.