Seventeen local couples exchanged Feb. 14 “I do’s” in a first-time offering of free nuptials at the Bucks County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court in Doylestown. Priscilla Ligouri united her readers with the story at WFMZ.

The event brought together couples that included Michele Kwasnoski and Gilberto Cavalheiro, who had planned a wedding before the pandemic interfered. They saw the ceremony as an opportunity to move forward in their relationship.

“Gilberto’s family flew up from Brazil to be with us,” said Kwasnoski. “My brother and his wife came from Florida. My cousin drove in from Buffalo.”

Judge Brian T. McGuffin officiated.

”It is my honor and my delight to declare each of these loving couples to be husband and wife,” he said, concluding the ceremony. “You may now seal this declaration with a kiss.”

Nine other Bucks County romantics renewed their vows, including Joe and Jo’Ann Murphy of Warrington. They were celebrating their silver anniversary (25 years), for which Joe managed to again don his Air Force uniform, while Jo’Ann once more nestled into her pink wedding gown.

More on the Valentine’s Day union of local couples in Doylestown is at WFMZ.