Crystal Crooks and Bryan Tran drove through a snow storm to experience wedded bliss.
The Orillia couple travelled to Innisfil Town Hall on Valentine’s Day, entering into civil union as part of the Share the Love campaign. They were among 13 couples scheduled to tie the knot there Friday.
Some brought along an extensive list of friends and family, and dressed to the nines in suits and white wedding gowns. Others made their ceremonies quaint by eloping, with plans for more elaborate celebration down the road.
Crooks and Tran showed up by themselves, and allowed town staff to act as witnesses, while officiant Wendy Ricciardi presided over a quick ceremony in the council chamber. They stood under an arch covered with lace and there were flowers on the surrounding tables.
“We went to school together and we didn’t know each other, but we met afterwards online,” said Crooks, noting the pair has been together for 12 years and they have three boys. “One of them knows. The other two, it’ll be a surprise. It’s all very last-minute. We made plans to go to Toronto and spend the weekend.”
Tran added they “decided to do this on the way down” to the city and had never considered Feb. 14 to be particularly special — until now.
Crooks cited spending quality time together and taking a marriage course ahead of time as the keys to a happy long-term relationship, and while smiling urged other couples to “just go for it.”
After saying “I do,” each newly married pair was presented with a set of champagne glasses.
“The happiness of the couples … they’re getting married because Valentine’s is traditionally a day of love, but also they’re contributing to a good cause,” said Ricciardi, who presided over nine of the ceremonies. “I’m all about the love.”
Share the Love saw fees collected from the Feb. 14 ceremonies donated to support the Troy Scott Community Fridges, raising a total of $4,550.
“We are incredibly grateful to the couples who chose to celebrate their love with us on Valentine’s Day,” Mayor Lynn Dollin said. “Their participation not only created beautiful memories but will also make a meaningful impact across Innisfil.”
The community fridges are located outdoors to provide residents in need with 24-hour-per-day, barrier-free access. They are located at the north entrance of the Innisfil Recreational Complex (7315 Yonge St.), as well as the Cookstown (20 Church St.) and Lakeshore (967 Innisfil Beach Rd.) branches of the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library.
This is the second time Share the Love has been held. In 2020, the town raised about $2,150 for the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre cardiac unit.
Innisfil provides wedding services year-round, from marriage licences to civil ceremonies. In fact, more than 500 ceremonies have taken place over the past five years.
Ricciardi says she tries to encourage couples to care for each other and recognize this is a “lifetime” commitment.
“Love each other and just be there in good times and bad,” she said. “This is the best way (to spend Valentine’s Day). This is my dream day.”
The town also offers rehearsal and vow-renewal services.
To ensure each big day goes off without a hitch, Innisfil has numerous staff to perform ceremonies during standard business hours, and contract officiants who can travel to couples’ homes, private venues and town hall on weekends. They’ll also go outside of the municipality for a fee.
For more details, visit innisfil.ca/weddings.