Seven couples signed up for the ultimate valentine: exchanging marriage vows at Innisfil Town Hall during a special event on Valentine’s Day.
Staff at the clerk’s office prepared the vows and took turns performing marriage ceremonies in the council chambers, which was decorated with flowers, draperies and rose petals.
For some, the ceremony was private. Others exchanged their vows surrounded by friends and family members.
And there were plenty of emotional moments and tears during the wedding ceremonies.
“Not only are you sharing your love with each other,” town clerk Candice Wiggins told Vladen and Autumn Pejanovic, “you are now taking into your care the happiness of the one person in the whole world that you love.”
“You are my best friend for life. I pledge to honour and encourage you. When our way becomes difficult, I promise to uphold and uplift you… with every beat of my heart,” Autumn vowed.
“We can accomplish more than we could alone,” answered Vladen. “With every beat of my heart, I love you.”
Couples signed the register, toasted each other and their guests with ‘bubbly’ in champagne glasses provided by the Innisfil ideaLAB and etched with “Bride” and “Groom,” and then posed for photos under an arbour.
“This is amazing. I’m happy for you,” Innisfil Mayor Lynn Dollin told the new Mr. and Mrs. Pejanovic. “Thank you for choosing Innisfil.”
The mayor noted that Innisfil Town Hall is often a "boring place. It’s a place to pay taxes.”
With the so-called matrimonium, though, “it’s just great to have some fun and some happiness, and some love,” she said.
The matrimonium was also a fundraiser. The full $270 marriage fee paid by each couple was donated to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s advanced cardiac program.
“It’s such a heart-warming concept, which will benefit the cardiac program at RVH,” said Kelly Pottage, manager of community giving with the RVH Foundation. “We’re very grateful to the Town of Innisfil and, of course, all the couples who chose to support cardiac care by having their marriage here today.”
The event raised $2,155 for advanced cardiac care.
The vows were tailored to each couple, in the case of Tiffany and Raymond reflecting “a lifetime of tried and true love” made all the more special by a Valentine’s Day vow.
“You are my home, you are my best friend and my safe harbour,” Tiffany told Raymond in their double-ring ceremony.
“Just as this ring has no end, neither does my love,” said Raymond.
The matrimonium was such a success that the clerk’s office is already planning for next year, when Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday.
“Everyone in the clerk’s office will donate their time,” said Kim Creamer.
And with a whole year to plan, they are looking for donations from the community, such as items like cupcakes and flowers, to be able to offer the couples a mini-reception after their exchange of vows.
