Dozens of couples will say “I do” at the 34th annual mass wedding ceremony at the Bexar County Courthouse in downtown San Antonio this year, with ceremonies starting at midnight on Valentine’s Day.
To join the celebration, get your marriage license at least 72 hours before the Feb. 14 events, which costs about $80. There’s no cost to join the mass wedding ceremony, which usually has a price tag of $25 to $500.
Marriage licenses can be obtained at the Bexar County Clerk’s Office on the first floor of the Paul Elizondo Tower at 101 W. Nueva St., Suite 120. The office is open weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm, and extended hours are available Wednesdays until 5:45 pm
If you can’t make it downtown, check the county’s “Records on the Run” mobile unit locations to see if you can get a license that way. To see a list of mobile unit locations and their schedule, click here.
To get the marriage license, both people getting married must show proof of identity and age, and a Social Security number if applicable.
Once the couple has obtained their marriage license, they can show up to any of the following ceremonies with the license in hand:
- Midnight ceremony: Feb. 14 at 12:01 am
- Feb. 14 at 10 am
- Feb. 14 at noon
- Final wedding ceremony: Feb. 14 at 2 pm
The first 50 couples to tie the knot at the midnight ceremony on Valentine’s day will get a free rose donated by local floral shop The Last Straw Florist. At the noon ceremony, the United States Postal Service Postmaster, Robert D. Carr Jr., will unveil the 2024 Love Stamp.
And for the first time in the event’s 34 years, the Main Plaza Conservancy is partnering with the county to host a free Newlywed Block Party on the day before the ceremony and one on Valentine’s Day, where couples get a chance to win prizes and giveaways. Prizes include goodie baskets and stays in downtown honeymoon suites.
While the prizes are only intended for the couples, the public can enjoy live music, dancing and photo opportunities and watch the mass ceremony afterwards.
The block parties will take place on Feb. 13 before the first midnight wedding ceremony, and after the noon wedding ceremony on Feb. 14. Retired journalist Michael Quintanilla, who was recently named the Fiesta Flambeau grand marshal this year will be the master of ceremonies at the parties, and Eddie & The Valiants will perform live.
“We’re making it much bigger,” Molly Hall-Villarreal, executive director of the Conservancy, said about this year’s event. “We’re celebrating love and celebrating all these people committing themselves to each other and celebrating this amazing San Antonio tradition.”
The mass ceremony will take place on the north side of the Courthouse at 100 Dolorosa St. While the ceremony is free, the county suggests a $20 donation to benefit the Bexar County Family Justice Center, which provides services to victims of domestic violence.