Dozens of Couples Marry on Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is a good day to get married, at least for the 32 couples who recently tied the knot at Three Monkeys Pub and Chophouse in Manassas.

“It’s a day that people like to get married,” said Prince William County Clerk of the Circuit Court Jacqueline Smith who officiated at the weddings at the pub. “It’s a day that’s all about love and it seems like a logical day to do it. People love it.”

Benjamin and Sophia Martinez were the first couple to get married Monday. “We didn’t really want a big ceremony because of COVID,” Sophia Martinez said. “We went to the courthouse, and they let us know that they were doing an event here, so we said, ‘Why not?”

“It’s a long time overdue and I love her with all my heart,” Benjamin Martinez said. “It really is as simple as that.”

Katherine and Rene Campos also married Monday and said the day will be doubly special for them “It’s special for us because we’re also celebrating our sixth anniversary,” Katherine Campos said. “We kind of wanted to keep a date that would be memorable. It’s also a holiday, so it’s really cute.”

Larry Bronstone said he married Samea Wahab on Valentine’s Day to please her. “Valentine’s Day was her first pick,” he said.  

This year was the fourth year Smith has officiated at a string of Valentine’s Day weddings with one interruption.  Last year’s ceremonies were canceled due to COVID.