San Diego County Offers Special Valentine's Day Weddings

More than 150 couples expected to tie the knot at historic downtown location

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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San Diego County is preparing for a busy Valentine's Day, with the County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk's (ARCC) office opening its most popular location - the historic County Administration Center in Downtown San Diego - to accommodate over 150 couples scheduled to get married on Saturday. The ARCC typically only operates on weekdays, but is making an exception to provide more opportunities for couples to celebrate love on the symbolic holiday.

Why it matters

Opening county offices on a Saturday for wedding ceremonies demonstrates a commitment to public service and responsiveness to community needs. While requiring additional staffing and logistical planning, this decision prioritizes accessibility and allows couples to celebrate a significant life event on a meaningful day.

The details

Appointments opened on December 27, 2025 and were quickly filled, with the initial 82 slots gone by January 20. The county increased availability to 120, then 165 appointments, but as of Friday, only 7 remained. Staff are preparing to handle 15 to 20 weddings per hour, issuing marriage licenses and providing certificates on-site, rather than the usual 7–10 day wait. Couples without appointments may still be able to marry at the location until 5 p.m. The ARCC is also coordinating with the Larry Himmel Foundation to give away 20 free weddings.

  • Appointments opened on December 27, 2025.
  • Initial 82 appointment slots were filled by January 20.
  • The county increased availability to 120, then 165 appointments.
  • As of Friday, only 7 appointment slots remained.

The players

Jordan Z. Marks

Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk for San Diego County.

Larry Himmel Foundation

A local organization coordinating with the ARCC to give away 20 free weddings.

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What they’re saying

“Our team loves being part of your love story...we are opening our doors and providing more opportunity for couples to celebrate love on Valentine's Day.”

— Jordan Z. Marks, Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This special Saturday service demonstrates San Diego County's commitment to public service and responsiveness to community needs, prioritizing accessibility for couples to celebrate love on a symbolically meaningful day.