LongIsland.com

Huntington Town Clerk Makes Wedding Housecall on Valentines Day

Written by Lon Cohen  |  20. February 2021

Every year, Huntington Town Clerk Andrew Raia continues a tradition that was started by his mother 40 years ago when she held the same position. As former Huntington Town Clerk, Jo-Ann Raia would provide marathon marriage ceremonies at Town Hall on Valentine's Day.

 

Andrew continued the tradition when he took over last year, despite the challenges of Covid-19.

 

“What better way to express your love than on Valentines Day,” he told LongIsland.com in a phone interview at the time.

 

Some years, the town has had upwards of 15 to 20 people come to join in matrimony, meaning there were weddings every half hour. Some people come to get married for the first time and others come to renew their vows.

 

This year, as will most of life, things were a little different. Raia put out the word offering to make house calls to help couples tie the know.

 

According to officials, one lucky couple took the clerk up on his offer.

 

Raia said he was not going to let Covid get in the way of true love and this long-held tradition.

 

Town Clerk Andrew Raia Valentines Day 2020 Wedding Marathon. Photo: Huntington Town.

 

“I will be making house calls this Valentine’s Day as the Town’s Marriage Officer and I will continue performing outdoor marriage ceremonies as I have for the past year during business hours at Town Hall,” he said in a statement prior to the big day.

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