Valentine's Day weddings in Valley Stream

Feb. 14 is a day synonymous with love, so what better day for a couple to tie the knot than Valentine’s Day?

That was exactly the thinking of two Valley Stream couples who decided to get married at the village courthouse on Feb. 14 by Village Justice Robert Bogle.

Larry Beebee and his new wife, Edith Torres, were the first to be wed as Amram Attias and Virginia Attias stood by their sides. The second couple to wed was Carlos Ochoa and Emila Morales Lara. Family members, including Shirley Macias and Maria Ochoa, joined the couple on their special day. There were festive red and white balloons to accompany both ceremonies.

Beebee has been a Valley Stream resident for 23 years and said his wife had the idea to get married on Valentine’s Day. He didn’t seem to mind. “This was one of the best days of our lives,” Beebee said.

The celebration for Ochoa and Lara did not stop after they become man and wife. The couple had their reception a few days later on Feb. 18 in Astoria.

Bogle has been the village justice in Valley Stream since 1986. Since then, he estimates that he has presided over more than 700 weddings and said there are always a few ceremonies every Feb. 14.

Bogle said there is an average of one wedding per weekend, but each ceremony is different. Sometimes the reception is small, sometimes there are 30 people in attendance and other times the Village Hall custodian fills in as a witness. Either way, Bogle enjoys this part of the job.

“It’s always great to be a part of somebody’s life when they make a commitment,” Bogle said. “On Valentine’s Day I think there’s more of a romantic air about the day, so that makes it even more special.”