"There has been a big request for it for a lot of years," said Christine Kovacs Forster, president and events manager for My Big Day. The company organizes many events from life celebrations to corporate events as well as party planning, marketing and more.
The first Loveland Valentine's Day Group Wedding will begin with registration at 2 p.m. Feb. 14 in the Gertrude Scott Room at the Loveland Public Library. 300 N. Adams, Loveland. The ceremony will be at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Foote Lagoon Amphitheater in Civic Center Park, Third Street and Washington Avenue.
The ceremony will be officiated by K99's Morning Show host, Todd Harding.
The cost is $30 per person to participate, which does not include a marriage license. Couples getting married must get their own marriage license prior to the event and must bring it with their IDs to registration.
Those renewing their vows will only need to purchase tickets and present IDs at registration.
Ticket cost includes a few gifts for the newlyweds. Along with the certificate signed by the officiant, they will get a personalized photo by Memorybox Photos, cupcakes from B Sweet Cupcakes, a gift bag and a chance to win a large gift basket.
"There are still a lot of partners working on what we want in that gift basket but it will be all things Northern Colorado," she said. The gift bag and gift basket items will be from local places to encourage participants to visit local businesses either between the registration and the ceremony or after.
"We will cut (tickets) off the morning of the wedding," Forster said. The company has not put a limit on how many tickets will be available but the ceremony will not exceed the 300-seat capacity of the venue.
"It's really for the couples, not large groups of spectators," Forster said. Couples are asked not to bring family or friends to witness the unions so there is enough room for all couples.
The event joins many traditions for Loveland in February including the valentine remailing program, Fire and Ice Festival, the annual valentine coffee and beer, Miss Valentine and more.
"It's an exciting collaboration between our entities to help highlight the valentine initiative and build this energy around the Sweetheart City," said Mindy McCloughan, president and CEO of the Loveland Chamber of Commerce.
Forster said it will be a great opportunity for couples to do something different on Valentine's Day.
"It's just a really unique way to celebrate Valentine's Day without thinking of another kind of gift," she said. There is the added bonus that it provides an alternative wedding option.
"It's an affordable way to get married for folks that want to say I do who may run to courthouse if that's there only option, far more romantic than the courthouse," Forster said.
Foote Lagoon will be decorated for the occasion. Couples will receive a survey following their ticket purchase to vote for their favorite wedding song and readings to make the event a little more personal. The top choices in songs will be performed by Brandon Sipes at the ceremony.
Forster hopes this will become a tradition for Loveland and that couples will take advantage of this first year.
"It's always great to say that you did something in the first year, that you were part of it from the beginning," she said.
For more information or to register, go to ValentinesDayInLoveland.com.
Michelle Vendegna: 970-699-5407, [email protected]