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Group wedding to take place inside Goodyear Heights Metro Park
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: June 12, 2019
From fishing and swimming to winter sports and other activities, Goodyear Heights Metro Park is a go-to place for many looking to enjoy the outdoors.
And come June 28, it will also serve as a venue for Summit County residents who are tying the knot or renewing their vows.
“Promises in the Park: An Outdoor Wedding Event” takes place inside the sprawling park and will feature music, a photographer and a complimentary tree for each participating couple to plant at home to commemorate the day.
The free ceremony is the result of a partnership between Summit Metro Parks and the Summit County Probate Court.
“We have seen group weddings performed by other organizations and knew that the Metro Parks could offer a beautiful and unique location for this type of event,” said Stephanie Walton, chief of marketing and communications for Summit Metro Parks. “June is a popular month for weddings and the weather is usually pretty cooperative.”
While the event is scheduled to take place under a canopy of trees, the ceremony will be moved inside the recently remodeled Goodyear Heights Lodge should Mother Nature disappoint.
Summit County Probate Court Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer will officiate Promises in the Park.
“Probate court judges are allowed to perform weddings in Ohio,” said Judge Stormer. “We issue marriage licenses and keep track of the records of all marriages.
“I am excited to support couples who wish to commit or recommit to each other.”
The judge said the idea for the event came from park officials, who were looking for a way to commemorate Earth Day.
“What better way to celebrate than to hold a group wedding in a beautiful park,” said Judge Stormer. “While Earth Day is in April, we decided to wait until June because the weather is more likely to cooperate.
“The ceremony is an opportunity for the county to do something nice for the community while showcasing its many resources.”
The couples are allowed to invite guests to observe their nuptials. However, since space is limited, especially if the ceremony has to be moved indoors, officials are asking participants to limit the number of people they invite to approximately ten.
The ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. on June 28, but participants must arrive no later than 11 a.m.
Couples who are planning to marry must obtain a marriage license from the Summit County Probate Court prior to the event. The courthouse is located at 209 S. High St. and is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Those who want to participate in the group wedding are required to register in advance by calling Summit Metro Parks at 330-867-5511 or going to bit.ly/promisesinthepark.