‘Now He’s My Only One’: Anne Arundel Co. Hosts Library Weddings

SEVERN-ODENTON, MD — Surrounded by thousands of books, a total of seven couples tied the knot Saturday as part of a Valentine’s Day initiative hosted by Anne Arundel County Library.

Of the 16 libraries that make up the county’s system, three libraries — Deale, Glen Burnie and Severn — participated in the festivities. The weekend weddings marked the second year the library system partnered with the Anne Arundel County Clerk’s Office to host the ceremonies.

The Glen Burnie Library held two weddings while the Deale Library held just one.

At Severn, a total of four ceremonies were held and officiated by M.K. Fowler, the chief deputy clerk of the Anne Arundel County Clerk's Office. Patch was in attendance for all four nuptials.

Sarah Peck and Kareem Riviears, owners of the Graze Craze franchise in Odenton, were the first couple to say “I do.”

Peck told Patch that tying the knot at the library was “meant to be” for her.

“I have always loved the library, and it was the first thing I looked for once I got stationed at Fort Meade,” Peck said. “This is the library that I came to when I needed a break from military life.”

“This library has been like a little refuge for me. So, it was perfect for us to get married here,” she added.

After their ceremony, Peck said she and her husband would be hosting a Valentine’s Day charcuterie class for couples.

Ellie Mullen, the branch manager of the Severn Library, told Patch that the county piloted the wedding initiative in 2025 as a means to “meet people where they are.” She explained that the close proximity of the libraries to main bus lines proved a key motivator for the partnership.

“The library is always looking at ways that we can remove barriers to access, be that to information, services, events,” Mullen said. “And so we know that transportation is difficult in getting to Annapolis, to the courthouse, to get married might be difficult for someone.”

“We’re grateful that these couples would choose the library to have the happiest day of their life. We just feel grateful that we can be a part of the community and connect people and be a place of belonging,” she said.

The day’s fourth and final ceremony was for Amber and Richard Marshall, of Crofton, who said they signed up for the library wedding because it also gave them the chance to get married on Valentine’s Day.

“I’m just grateful that there’s opportunity to get married at the library,” Amber told reporters. “It doesn’t have to be expensive, and it doesn’t have to be hard.”

The Marshalls told Patch they found out about the library weddings when they were applying for their marriage license.

The couple said they met in an online space for military members, and that Richard served as Amber’s plus one to a friend's wedding in 2023.

“He was my plus one, but now he’s my only one,” Amber said.

The Marshalls' plans for the rest of their Saturday included lunch and a possible nap or dive into their favorite books. Amber said she enjoys the works of famed writers Maya Angelou and Tomi Adeyemi, while Richard sides more along the lines of psychological thrillers and fantasy.

Both are proud library card holders, they said.

Mullen said the library system is already looking to next year’s event, with hopes to expand ceremonies to other branches.