Three couples tied the knot at the Monongalia County Justice Center in Morgantown on Wednesday, taking Circuit Court Judge Paul Gwaltney Jr. up on his offer to marry couples on Valentine’s Day.
The Dominion Post joined one of those couples for their nuptials, along with their family and friends.
Bride Elaine Sowell said she and groom Johnnie Williams have known each other their whole lives and have always had love for one another. Both widowed, the two connected after the passing of their spouses and have been together now for a decade. Elaine said it was Johnnie who suggested a Valentine’s Day ceremony.
Judge Gwaltney said prior to being appointed judge last year, he didn’t realize many people come to the courthouse to be married. He decided that on a special day like Valentine’s Day, he wanted to give couples the opportunity to make it official.
“Before today, I’ve done 12 weddings,” he said. “There’s a lot of people that seek that and I thought well, maybe there will be some. Maybe next year we will get a few more hopefully.”
The judge said this is a life sentence he actually enjoys awarding — a welcome change from the negative aspects of the courtroom he sees most days.
“So many things are conflicts, right? And we’re always resolving conflicts … these aren’t, and it’s nice to get away from that where I have to make a decision where somebody’s happy, somebody’s sad — this is a decision where everyone is happy.”
This year, February presents yet another opportunity for a unique wedding date with Leap Day on Feb, 29. Gwaltney said he is also offering his services for marriages on that day as well.
“So, we’ve got the romantics today and the frugals on the 29th,” he joked about the date that would bring an official anniversary only every four years.
If you and your beloved would like a Leap Day wedding, contact his office at 304-291-7265 to schedule a time. Couples are reminded they will need to obtain a marriage license from the County Clerk’s office at the Monongalia County Courthouse at 243 High Street in Morgantown prior to the wedding.
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