Nearly two dozen couples marry at annual Minneapolis ceremony

Sarah Epstein stood wearing a lovely white dress in the Hennepin County Government Center atrium as she waited to marry her partner, Missy Mussel. The two had been saving up for a big wedding until last year, when they grew tired of waiting for Wisconsin to legalize same-sex marriage. The two decided instead to spend their wedding money to move to Minneapolis, where it had just been legalized.

The couple was one of nearly two dozen married at the government center Friday afternoon, free of charge. A dozen judges performed the ceremonies in celebration of Valentine's Eve. The celebration, now in its third year, lasted about an hour.

For the Epsteins, it was a happy coincidence that when they called to set up a time to be married, they were told about the free ceremonies.

"This is within our budget," she said.

The atrium was full of smiles and hugs over the noon hour. Some couples took photographs as they waited in line around the atrium. Wedding parties laughed and joked as they celebrated the day.

Assistant Chief Judge Ivy Bernhardson sang while Hennepin County District Judge Laurie Miller played the piano and a quartet featuring Hennepin County District Judge Elizabeth Cutter played throughout the event.

Hennepin County District Judge Phil Carruthers, who married two couples, said the event is a good way for the public to see judges in a setting outside the courtroom.

"It's a fun occasion," he said. "The couples here are so happy; it brings a tear to your eye."

Idalia Banuelos-Martinez met her fiancé last summer online. She said the two "instantly clicked" and began a long-distance relationship that lasted nearly four months. Felix Mendez proposed on Christmas Eve, and she brought him to Minneapolis the day after New Years.

Banuelos-Martinez said the two had planned to get married later in the spring, but the courthouse ceremony was more convenient.

"I love everything about her," Banuelos-Martinez said, translating for her fiancé, "she's just a wonderful woman."

Each of the 23 ceremonies lasted about 15 minutes.

The Epsteins, who met online 11 years ago, called the day a hard-fought gift.

"She completes me," Missy Epstein said of Sarah. "She remembers everything I forget."

Anne Millerbernd is a University of Minnesota student on assignment for the Star Tribune.

Anne Millerbernd• 651-308-7126