Romance in Simsbury Soon to Be a Little Less Expensive — At Least for a Day

With its wedding venues, restaurants, inns and more Simsbury is already an attractive place for couples to spend an evening, a weekend or a lifetime. 

To capitalize on the trend the town, along with the Simsbury Main Street Partnership and the Simsbury Tourism Committee are planning to hold a Valentine's Day special and waive the $30 marriage license fee for up to 50 couples.  

As an added incentive, businesses of the Simsbury Main Street Partnership Inc. will enter those who participate into a free drawing to win a package that includes a one-night stay in a “Honeymoon Suite” at the Simsbury Inn*, professional hair and makeup for one bride/groom/spouse from L Designs Hair Salon*, and one gorgeous wedding arrangement from Horan’s Flowers & Gifts valued at $100 (*based on availability). 

Town staff originally came up with the idea and town clerk Carolyn Keily has seen an increase in applications for marriage over the last four years.  

In the year 2008-2009 the town issued 122 licenses, officials said at a recent Board of Selectmen meeting. For 2012-2013, it was 266. 

“Simsbury is a welcoming destination for all couples wanting to get married, and people have come from many different states to have their wedding ceremony in Simsbury,” Keily said.    

“Simsbury has many wedding-related businesses, from the rings on your fingers, pampered treatment at local spas and salons, to exquisite dining options for pre and post wedding events and everything in-between,” remarks Rich Correia, president of Main Street.  “We have positioned ourselves as a premier wedding destination.”

Glassman said she felt the town could absorb the loss of the $11 that would normally go to the general fund as well as the $19 surcharge it would have to pay to the state. 

Selectmen were supportive of the idea, but some expressed a few concerns. 

Lisa Heavner said she felt the idea was a good one but said she felt the town should not get in the habit of such promotions for which it had not budgeted.   

For more information, contact the Town Clerk’s Office at (860) 658-3243.  Simsbury also has 47 Justices of the Peace ready and willing to help out.  A complete list can be found here.