Couples marry in record numbers on lucky Saturday

A record number of marriages were performed on 07/07/07 at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana.

Tom Daly, the county-clerk recorder and commissioner of marriages, reported that 158 marriages took place Saturday.

That number is seven times the normal average, and according to Daly, makes that date the most popular one so far this year for couples eager to take the plunge into matrimony.

Although county offices are typically closed on Saturday, Daly and his staff — sticking to a “Lucky 7” theme — opened the marriage license office at 7 a.m., offered seven different ceremony venues, took reservations for ceremonies in time slots that contained the number seven and each outdoor arbor displayed seven cluster of roses.

In a written statement, Daly said his office was committed to serving the public, and that by being available on July 7, “Happy couples were able to celebrate on this special Saturday here in Orange County.”

— Sue Thoensen