Couples flock to courthouse for Valentine’s Day weddings
Published 4:27 pm Friday, February 14, 2014
Raphael Brooks and LaKorsha Grandison were one of eight couples who decided to get married on Valentine’s Day at the Chilton County Courthouse.
When Raphael Brooks of Jones first met LaKorsha Grandison of Maplesville in April 2007, he knew they would one day get married.
“I liked her personality a lot and the way she carried herself,” Brooks said.
Grandison said she first noticed Brooks’ personality and enjoyed the fact that he was tall.
“I love tall boys,” Grandison said.
Brooks, 22, and Grandison, 23, were one of eight couples who decided to get married during a ceremony at the Chilton County Courthouse on Valentine’s Day.
Although the couple first met in 2007 when both, were working at Jack’s restaurant in Clanton, they didn’t start dating until June 27, 2012.
Brooks explained the couple chose Valentine’s Day for their wedding day because of sentimental reasons.
“My mom got married on Valentine’s Day and my grandmother passed away on Valentine’s Day so it is just a special day in my family,” Brooks said. “We thought it would be neat to get married today.”
Both Brooks and Grandison color-coordinated their outfits in red and white to reflect Valentine’s Day.
“We just thought it would be fun to dress alike today,” Grandison said.
Friends and family surrounded the couple on Friday during their wedding ceremony. Chilton County Probate Judge Bobby Martin married the couple.
Grandison and Brooks were married by Chilton County Probate Judge Bobby Martin in front of family and friends and the couple’s 5-month old son, LaQurius.
Martin read a portion of 1 Corinthians 13 and gave the couple a Bible after presenting them with their marriage license.
“I expect you to read this,” Martin said referring to the Bible.
As Martin finished reading the wedding vows to the couple, he instructed Brooks to kiss his bride.
“Kiss her like you mean it,” Martin said.
Grandison and Brooks said they planned to celebrate their special day with a reception on Friday with family and friends.
“We are just going to celebrate the day and enjoy being together,” Grandison said.
Eric Crawford, 29, and Kathryn Mims, 23, also married Friday afternoon at the courthouse.
The two dated for two years before deciding to get married on Valentine’s Day.
“We didn’t even realize today was Valentine’s Day,” Crawford said. “We didn’t pick today to get married because it was Valentine’s Day. It just worked out that way.”
Both Crawford and Mims are from Verbena and have four children together.
Mims first met Crawford when she was 14 years old and admits she “liked everything about him.”
“At the time when I met him I was younger and he was older so I just liked him from a distance,” Mims said. “I always told people though that he was going to end up being the man I married.”
Crawford said he likes “everything” about Mims and was excited to spend his Friday getting married.
The two planned to spend the rest of the day celebrating with their children by going out to dinner.
Martin said Valentine’s Day is usually a busy day at the courthouse with couples getting married.
Eric Crawford, 29, and Kathryn Mims, 23, also married Friday afternoon at the courthouse. The two dated for two years before deciding to get married on Valentine’s Day.
“Today was one of the busiest days we have had for couples getting married,” Martin said. “Usually we will have about five or six but today is the most we have had in one day.”
Martin said he enjoys performing wedding ceremonies for couples because he likes to see couples happy.
Mims first met Crawford when she was 14 years old and admits she “liked everything about him.”
“I enjoy seeing the couples in love and happy, and I hope with each one of them that it will work,” Martin said. “I want them to stay together and remember the phrase ‘until death do us part’.”
