Waukesha County court commissioner officiates 1,000th wedding
Court commissioner officiates 1,000 weddings
It’s a major milestone for a Waukesha County court commissioner. In the afternoon on April 14, 2025, he officiated his thousandth courthouse wedding. But there's a reason that some couples are crossing the county line to get hitched.
WAUKESHA, Wis. - It’s a major milestone for a Waukesha County court commissioner.
In the afternoon on April 14, 2025, he officiated his thousandth courthouse wedding.
But there's a reason that some couples are crossing the county line to get hitched.
Getting married
What they're saying:
Long before their wedding day, Lakesha Washington and Demetrius Patton both knew they found the right partner.
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"He’s an answered prayer. A dream come true," said Lakesha Washington.
Lakesha Washington and Demetrius Patton
The couple is saying ‘I do’ at the Waukesha County Courthouse surrounded by friends and family.
The whole wedding party lives in Milwaukee County.
Washington says getting hitched closer to home wasn’t an option.
"Milwaukee doesn’t offer courthouse weddings anymore," she said.
No weddings at the Milwaukee County Courthouse Complex
What we know:
Milwaukee County’s website says civil ceremonies there are "canceled until further notice."
Leaders say courthouse weddings stopped when the pandemic hit five years ago.
FOX6 asked the Milwaukee County Executive’s office why they haven’t resumed. The county referred FOX6 to the clerk’s office, who then sent FOX6 to the chief judge.
The best answer [Bret Lemoine] could get from anyone at the Milwaukee County Courthouse? ‘We’re working on it.’
Washington and Patton may have lucked out on more than just love.
The 1,000 wedding
What we know:
"I got sent an email and I was kinda shocked. I had to look at it again. What are the odds?" asked Washington.
Their wedding is the thousandth ceremony Court Commissioner Christopher Bailey has officiated.
When asked what those 1,000 had taught him about love, Bailey responded, "There are so many different people who get married from so many walks of life. It’s something that can bring everyone together."
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Lakesha Washington and Demetrius Patton tie the knot
Bailey has only been doing this for four years.
He can’t say for sure how many couples have crossed the county line from Milwaukee.
"It’s been a steady amount," Bailey added.
But Bailey says his Waukesha County courtroom is always open for the next thousand ceremonies.
The Great Seal of Waukesha County
"It’s not really where you’re going to or where you are at – it’s about the people who are with you," said Patton.
The World Health Organization declared Covid-19 was no longer a public health emergency two years ago.
When FOX6 gets an answer as to why Milwaukee County Courthouse weddings are still on pause, we’ll share it with you.
The Source: FOX6 spoke to the court commissioner and the couple whose wedding ceremony he officiated.