by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
The arrival of June marks a busy season for employees issuing marriage licenses at the Duval County Courthouse. Rarely does a couple standout during the matrimony rush, but there are always exceptions.
“We’ve had some people come through here in the years I’ve been in this department that we can’t forget,” said Sylvia Blythe, executive assistant to Clerk of the Courts Jim Fuller. “They’re memorable for a lot of reasons. Sometimes it’s the way they dress or maybe it’s their mannerisms towards each other. It really depends.”
Blythe has worked in the marriage license department for over 10 years. During that time she’s seen men and women come through in various costumes, ranging from 1960s-themed ensembles to full Shakespearian garb.
“One time we had a couple get married that was only dressed from the waste up in formal wear,” she said. “The groom was wearing a tuxedo on top and shorts on the bottom. That was original.”
And yes, some couples do opt for formal wear, despite the occasional stare.
“It’s nice when they get dressed up if they decide they want us to perform the ceremony,” said Blythe, “but it does look a little funny when a bride is wearing a big white dress at the courthouse. They walk alongside the counter like it’s an aisle.”
Perhaps most memorable are the “local celebrities” who occasionally stop in for their marriage licenses, including current and former Jacksonville Jaguars Fred Taylor, Jeff Lageman and Leon Searcy.
“It’s always exciting when a Jaguar player comes in. They always get recognized,” said Blythe. “It’s pretty funny because everyone here always tries to get a look. It’s obvious because they’ll walk by with a file or something like that when you know they don’t have to.”
Ch. 12’s Jeannie Blaylock, Ch. 4’s Heather Van Ness and Mayor-elect John Peyton are others who have drawn more than a passing glance.
“It was really big when John Peyton came in,” said Blythe. “At the time he, was still running for mayor and he was in the news everyday it seemed like. The people here were all over him, but he was really nice about it. Celebrities, in general, are usually nice when they come see us.”
And after a decade of issuing licenses, Blythe and her staff occasionally make predictions.
“We never know for sure,” she said, “but sometimes we can look at a couple and we just think, ‘I don’t know about these two.’ We hope they all stay together, but you can’t help but wonder who won’t. You never know.”