Local couples officially tie-the-knot in Valentine’s Day wedding ceremonies

The County Clerk's Office had a busy Valentine's Day this year. Officials there tell News Channel Three that twelve different couples made appointments to say 'I Do' on Wednesday alone.

“Yeah, I'm just ready to go. That's all I can think about," said Jay Carter. Jay and his fiancé Zoey were one of those pairs who signed up to walk down the isle. The Joshua Tree couple chose to get married on February 14th specifically because it was their nine-year anniversary.

 “It's been a long time coming," said Zoey. They met at a summer camp with some mutual friends, and they say the rest is history.

"She texted me first, actually," said Jay. "And so we just talked for the summer. And then next thing you know, I just was like, I love her. I just felt, why am I wasting my time anymore? Just like, do you want to be with me? And then she said, yeah, forever."

A few years later, they were on a walk together, and Jay had a promise ring that he had given Zoey in high school. When she turned around to look at the view, he got down on one knee and waited for her to turn around. But he took in the moment as he waited.

"She turned around and I just said, 'Marry me,'" recalled Jay. Both knew they wanted to spend forever together.

"I just can't believe it's happening," said Zoey. "Finally, like in our heads, you know, we always imagined this for years. So now it's an action. It's going to become reality."

But they weren't the only ones spending the day exchanging vows. Another couple, Aalsa and Cy, spoke with News Channel Three and say they met seven years ago at a tango event in Argentina. They claim it was pretty much love at first sight.

“I took one look, and I went, wow. Oh, my God," said Aalsa Lee. "And we ended up talking for three hours after the dance event. And I told him, I told him right then and there, I said I'm in love with you." Both Aalsa and Cy had been in previews marriages that didn't work out, and thought love wasn't in the cards for them anymore. But for them, finding each other and getting married on Valentine's Day is living proof that it's never too late to find true love.

"I kept pinching myself," said Cy Nelson. "Like, I'm gonna wake up, I'm gonna wake up. This is just a dream. She's too perfect."

When asked about what advice to give to younger couples in love, or for anyone hoping to find love one day, Cy had plenty to offer:

"If you can find someone that you have a lot in common with and become friends, you know, friendship lasts forever. Romance, it also happens to last forever too, but friendship is the most important. And for guys, she's the boss, dude."

Both Aalsa and Zoey opted to make their own wedding day outfits. They both say it made the moment event more memorable. Aalsa says it took her around two weeks to put together her headpiece alone.

As for Zoey, she had a different idea in mind.

“I went to the thrift store and I was really hoping for something good and I found the perfect dress, but it needed a lot to be done. So I made this all. The veil, the dress, I reworked everything. It was a lot of work. But I know that this is something that I can really cherish forever. So it was worth it."

Both couples proudly said their vows and walked out of the County Clerk's Office hand-in-hand, as husband and wife.

Megan Tamasanis is a friend of the Carters. And she also served as their witness for the ceremony.

“It was so beautiful," said Tamasanis. "I just know how much they love each other and how special this is. So I'm just so excited to be here and to support them and this is such a happy day. I've cried so much already.”

After the ceremony, the Carters headed off to spend the afternoon go-karting at one of their favorite date-night spots.

"Go-karting and pizza? Yeah. That's the best way to do it," said both Jay and Zoey. "To get married to my best friend and then to celebrate by going go-karting? I know we're doing this right."