A Valentine’s Day Wedding

Please save the date: February 14, 2026.
Join us as we celebrate the sacred union of
Gay Marie & Lester, Eva Marie & Wennie, Regine & Allan

I received this simple and straightforward invitation as an attachment to a text from Eva, my first cousin’s daughter. My immediate reaction was physical; my mouth formed into a smile, my heart warmed. Three couples getting married on Valentine’s Day. What a beautiful idea.

I only know one of the couples, Eva and Wennie. The ceremony will start at noon at the church in Stockton, California, followed by a reception in the church hall. How practical!

Getting married on Valentine’s Day is not a novel idea; a few of my friends have February 14 as their wedding anniversary.

I didn’t have big plans for Valentine’s Day 2026. I texted Eva right away. “Of course—will do! We’ll be there.”

When February rolled around, I broke the news to Steve, my husband, at breakfast.

“We’re invited to a wedding on Valentine’s Day.”

“Who’s getting married?”

“Eva—you know, my relative from Stockton. And Wennie.”

“I thought they were already married.”

“Yes. But this will be a church wedding. For Filipinos, a marriage is not merely a civil ceremony. Catholics want their marriages to be blessed.”

A church wedding is important to Filipinos, the Philippines being largely Catholic. It is the sacrament of matrimony, an outward sign through which Catholics receive the grace of God.

As Steve poured himself more coffee, I said, “It will be a triple wedding.”

“And there will be a race, right? The brides will run and the grooms will chase them?” Steve can’t help himself. He is my funny Valentine—has been for forty-plus years.

Why get married on Valentine’s Day?

It’s the day of love. What’s more romantic than that?

Who is Saint Valentine?

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, Saint Valentine was a Roman priest and physician “who was martyred during the persecution of Christians by the emperor Claudius II Gothicus about 270 CE.” He was imprisoned for “defying the emperor’s order by performing marriages of couples to spare the men from being conscripted to serve in war.” He signed a letter “from your Valentine” to his jailer’s daughter, whom he befriended and healed from blindness.

Why hold a mass wedding?

Reasons often cited are economics (shared expenses), practicality (shared venue and planning), and the unforgettable experience—twins, sisters, friends, or sometimes strangers.

One difference between weddings in the United States and in the Philippines is who shoulders the expenses. In the Philippines, the groom and his family typically pay for the wedding.

How do Americans celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Not everyone gets married on this day. For romantics, it’s a special day to celebrate love. For some, it’s just another day. I asked my friends about their plans.

Denise said, “I will be celebrating Maya’s birthday with lunch in Oakland on Valentine’s Day. I may go to Estelle Bakery and get a cute cake or slices to share.” Maya is her granddaughter.

Dina teased me. “Have a great time on Valentine’s Day. Have you found an exciting man? Excitement feels good.”

“Dina, I’m going to a triple wedding on February 14.”

Hearing my phone conversation, my husband piped in, “Filipinos will find any reason to party and have fun.”

And what is wrong with having fun?

How did the group wedding go?

The wedding day was partly sunny and a bit cold. There were actually 19 couples getting married! I saw brides looking radiant and grooms beaming with pride. A Valentine’s Day to remember.

~ Nida Spalding