Dozens of San Diego Couples Tie the Knot on Valentine's Day

San Diego County Administration Building opens on Saturday to host civil marriage ceremonies for nearly 200 couples.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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This Valentine's Day, the San Diego County Administration Building opened its doors on a Saturday to host civil marriage ceremonies for almost 200 engaged couples who wanted to get married on the holiday of love. The process was expedited to about an hour from start to finish, with County Clerk Jordan Marks and other officiants delivering the wedding vows.

Why it matters

The special Valentine's Day marriage event highlights the growing popularity of civil ceremonies, as couples seek more affordable and convenient options to tie the knot. It also showcases the efforts of local government to accommodate the demand for marriage services, even on weekends typically reserved for closures.

The details

Among the newlyweds were Maurice Basobas and Cristina Michelle, who met at work and bonded over post-it note drawings, as well as U.S. Marine Davion Phillips and his bride Abigail, who weathered tough times together. Each couple paid $236 for the license and ceremony, though the first 10 couples had their fees covered by a donation. County Clerk Jordan Marks, who also serves as the County Assessor, Recorder, and Commissioner of Civil Marriages, was among the officiants presiding over the ceremonies.

  • The San Diego County Administration Building opened on Saturday, February 14, 2026 to host the Valentine's Day civil marriage ceremonies.
  • The marriage process was expedited to about an hour from start to finish.

The players

Jordan Marks

The San Diego County Clerk, who also holds the titles of County Assessor, Recorder, and Commissioner of Civil Marriages.

Maurice Basobas

One of the newlyweds who met his wife Cristina Michelle at work.

Cristina Michelle

One of the newlyweds who met her husband Maurice Basobas at work.

Davion Phillips

A U.S. Marine who got married to his bride Abigail on Valentine's Day.

Abigail

The bride who married U.S. Marine Davion Phillips on Valentine's Day.

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What they’re saying

“We met at work. Our cubicles were next to each other. I needed help with a call, and she was the first person I reached out to. We started conversations little by little. Now, here we are.”

— Maurice Basobas (nbcsandiego.com)

“He started leaving post-it notes at my desk They had little drawings. I knew he was a good guy.”

— Cristina Michelle (nbcsandiego.com)

“Normally, government closes their doors on Saturday. I said we're going to open our doors to love today.”

— Jordan Marks, San Diego County Clerk (nbcsandiego.com)

“I knew she was the one after we had a couple of fights. We made up and she showed me that she's dedicated and stands next to me through everything.”

— Davion Phillips (nbcsandiego.com)

“Tough times is what he's trying to reference. We have gotten through some tough times and the love is strong.”

— Abigail (nbcsandiego.com)

What’s next

The San Diego County Administration Building plans to open on future Valentine's Days to host civil marriage ceremonies for engaged couples.

The takeaway

This special Valentine's Day event showcases the growing demand for more accessible and affordable civil marriage options, as well as the efforts of local government to accommodate couples seeking to tie the knot on the holiday of love.