Wheeling couple marries on Valentine's Day

A Rolling Meadows courtroom may not be the most romantic venue for a wedding, but it served a Wheeling couple who tied the knot in courtroom 205 during a noontime ceremony Monday.

Irais Torres, 23, and Miguel Gonzalez, 28, chose to be married on Valentine's Day when they went to the courthouse last month to apply for their license.

“It's a special date. Romantic,” said Torres who revealed that Gonzalez proposed to her on bended knee.

Torres' sister introduced the couple, who have dated for five years. They have a 3-year-old son who stood with them during the ceremony before Cook County Circuit Judge Jill Cerone Marisie, who celebrates her 20th wedding anniversary this year.

“Is this the ring bearer?” asked Marisie, as she shook the toddler's hand.

She reminded the couple that their love is like the rings they exchanged — everlasting — with neither a beginning nor an end.

“Let it be a record of your promise and keep you faithful,” said Marisie.

The ceremony judges perform is scripted, Marisie said, but each officiant adds special touches.

“As you join together in marriage may you always love each other, trust each other and, most important, respect each other,” Marisie said.

Rolling Meadows judges typically perform three weddings on weekdays and eight on Saturdays. Besides Torres and Gonzalez, Marisie presided over the wedding of another couple who declined to be interviewed for the story, saying not all of their family members know of their plans. A third couple scheduled to be married Monday didn't show.

Torres said cost played a role in her and Gonzalez's decision to marry at the courthouse. A license costs $10 and the judge's services are free.

“It does put things in perspective,” said Marisie. “It's not about a big party,”