For a fitting end to this Valentine’s Day week, what better way to wrap it up than with a wedding?

Last month, I wrote about celebrating the marriage of my aunts, who traveled to New York City with two of their close friends to get married in our great state.

I accompanied them to their ceremony at the City Clerk’s office. Perhaps soiled by one too many experiences at the DMV, I was expecting a crotchety old woman sitting at a desk apathetically signing licenses. My aunts admitted they were expecting the same. How wrong we were.

The City Clerk’s office was filled with a variety of couples of all ages, shapes and ethnicities, with nary an old grumpy woman in sight.

Instead, the entire process was cheerful, welcoming and personal to whatever degree the couple preferred. The city even has shop set up, in case you left your bow tie at home or want a bouquet to “walk down the aisle” with.

Each couple had their own touches to make their big day special and unique.

Some couples wore traditional wedding attire, whereas several dapper young men wore simple crisp sweaters and bucks. One couple had a bagpiper join them for their ceremony; another a saxophonist and another an iPod, playing “their” song. A few couples even had professional photographers join them, but most just had their witness snap photos, often bearing solely an iPhone.

The officiant was a jovial man who seemed to genuinely love his job (how could you not?) and was willing to do everything the couple wanted to make the experience special. From start to finish, we were so thrilled and impressed with all of the City Clerk’s staff. How often can you say that about a government office?

If you’re ever feeling down about your love life (or life in general), go get a pick-me-up at 141 Worth Street, where love truly is in the air.

- Laura