WASHINGTON 鈥� Couples are again able to get married in the District.
Mayor Muriel Bowser signed emergency legislation Friday giving her the authority to issue marriage licenses during the partial federal government shutdown. D.C.’s courts had previously determined they were unable to issue licenses as they did not fit the definition of essential services.
Caitlin Walters said she and her fianc茅, Kirk Kasa, both from New York City, were 鈥渞eally relieved and excited鈥� that the issue was resolved before their Feb. 2 wedding in D.C.
鈥淲e went to Catholic University,鈥� Walters said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e doing our ceremony on campus actually, so
it was very important to us.鈥� Sh hopes the shutdown ends by the couple’s wedding date so friends and family can enjoy museums and trash-free parks.
The bill signing came in the nick of time for Claire O鈥橰ourke, who is set to be married to Sam Bockenhauer on Saturday. However, the shutdown is still affecting them. 鈥淲e had planned to take our wedding portraits at the National Portrait Gallery, which unfortunately is also part of the shutdown,鈥� O鈥橰ourke said. They hope to use the National Building Museum instead.
Dan Pollock and Danielle Geanacopoulos, of New York City, celebrated their wedding on Dec. 29 and now hope to make things official through D.C.鈥檚 Office of the Secretary, which is issuing the licenses. 鈥淗opefully we鈥檒l be fully married after two long weeks,鈥� Geanacopoulos said.
