By Vicki Prichard
NKyTribune reporter
Sometimes a box of chocolate simply won’t do.
So, for sweethearts who find themselves swept up in a swirl of romance this Valentine’s weekend, and cannot bear the thought of year-long wedding planning, justice of the peace Steve Hoffman is the man for you.
Beginning Friday, February 12th through Monday, February 15th, Hoffman will perform Valentine weddings to couples who need only present the requisite marriage license and the $100 fee for nuptials in his new MainStrasse location in Covington.
Offsite weddings are $300, but given the weather, would seem painful instead of romantic.
Last week, Hoffman, who began performing weddings in 1989 as a Kenton County magistrate, moved from his longtime location on Covington’s Court Street, to 526 Philadelphia Street in MainStrasse Village. Hoffman says it was “like moving to Disneyland.”
The historic building, which previously housed The Magic Shop, is positioned across from Goebel Park and the Carroll Chimes Bell Tower. Boasting high ceilings, hardwood flooring, a bridal dressing room, park views, and well-appointed with Italian leather sofas, the location is home to A Day to Remember, USA, Hoffman’s wedding and event rental business.
Couples can say their “I dos” beneath a teak arbor which features Frannie’s Tree as a backdrop, a tree of life sculpture arranged by his friend Frannie Houston who assisted with interiors.
Instead of a webcam, which Hoffman employed at his previous location, he says couples can now share their ceremony through the Periscope app which allows them to broadcast live to family, friends and social media followers.
Hoffman, who has performed more than 23,000 weddings, says Valentine’s Day is always a busy time for his services. So far, he has 16 weddings scheduled for the weekend, but is prepared for the inevitable walk-in weddings. One of the more memorable impromptu Valentine weddings was his brother Chuck Hoffman’s wedding.
“The girl he was going out with back in college, they’d been going out for a long time, basically said, “Hey, it’s time we get married,” says Hoffman. “But my brother wasn’t ready, so he lost the love of his life.”
Chuck moved to Washington, DC, where, after his involvement with the Save the Gorge effort for Red River Gorge, he worked as a consultant on river conservation issues. His girlfriend had moved to the area as well, working for a non-profit, and ultimately married.
“I dated her from 1974 to 1981,” says Chuck Hoffman. “Basically, I didn’t talk to her for over 22 years.”
Then, one day she sent a Christmas card to his office.
“Then the calendar sped up a lot,” says Chuck. After they reconnected he asked her to marry him and she said, “Yes.”
“Well, we knew a guy who would do it for cheap,” he says.
So they came to Covington, where Hoffman performed the ceremony, but could include their DC friends by way of his webcam.
“It was serendipitous,” says Chuck.
Those interested in a Valentine wedding, or rentals for events, can contact Hoffman at 859-750-8883, or visit http://www.adaytorememberusa.com/