By Stephanie Yrungaray | [email protected]

It’s the time of year when wedding bells start ringing and happy couples walk down the aisle...but with restrictions and closures from the pandemic, many engaged couples are struggling to figure out how and where to tie the knot. Draper Mayor Troy Walker is hoping to help by offering his wedding services to city residents free of charge.

“On Facebook I saw people lamenting that their weddings were getting cancelled because churches are closed and people can’t gather,” Walker said. “It spurred me to say if you need a wedding in the great pandemic, I’ll do it for you."

By Utah law, mayors are able to solemnize marriages and Walker has performed around 20 since he became the mayor of Draper in January 2014.

“It’s a cool thing to do,” Walker said. “Over the years I’ve had people ask me to do it. A lot of times they have their own vows written out and I just follow what they write, but I also have a religious and a non-religious based ceremony prepared.”

Walker said he just needs one day notice and he promises that social distancing measures will be followed.

“They can come into city hall and we will stand the proper distance apart and mask up,” Walker said. “I would conduct the business kind of like a justice of the peace.”

Walker said his first “pandemic wedding” is scheduled for May 15.

“[The pandemic] has been a unique experience to be sure,” Walker said. “I hope we are coming out of it soon, but I’m happy to help in this way if people need me.”

Couples interested in Walker performing their wedding ceremony should contact his assistant Kellie Challburg at 801-576-6500.