Love is in the air at the Akron Civic Theatre.
More than a dozen couples are set to wed Wednesday. It’s the first time Valentine’s Day weddings have been held at the historic building.
“It’s nice to shut down everything and have these very happy couples share their day with us,” said Val Renner, Akron Civic Theatre, associate director of programming and director of media. “The opportunity doesn’t come up very often when there’s nothing going on and to have it focused on you!”
Renner says there are typically only three full-scale weddings at the theater every year. Eighteen couples are scheduled to get hitched Wednesday, including Greg Grasson and Wendy McKenna. Grasson found out about the opportunity several weeks ago through a post on the Akron Municipal Court Facebook page.
“We were both dreading planning a big wedding,” said McKenna. “This just made it really simple!”
Akron Municipal Court Judge Kathryn Michael will preside over the weddings. She also married couples at the Civic on Halloween.
“The only time people are happy to see me in a robe is when I’m performing marriages!” joked Michael. “And that’s when I’m happiest too.”
The ceremonies will be performed from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Grasson and McKenna are scheduled to wed in the afternoon in front of their families and several lifelong friends.
“I can’t wait! I’m very excited,” said McKenna.
The soon-to-be newlyweds won’t be away from the theater for too long. They’ll be back exactly one month from Valentine’s Day to see Jerry Seinfeld.
"We go there all the time so now we can reminisce and say ‘Hey this where we got married!’” said McKenna.
