At Rhodes Hall, Cupid was on the clock

It took her easy-going boyfriend, 33, only a second to think about it: Yes.

The two, who began dating last March, were among 25 couples who got hitched on Valentine's Day during Rhodes Hall's Cupid At the Castleevent. Now in its second year, the event lets a loving duo pay $200 to exchange life's most important vows, stand for photography, toast with champagne and nosh on cupcakes -- all in 15 minutes.

"I really didn't expect to be getting married today," said still-in-shock Hardaway, who wore a stylish ivory cocktail dress and  bejeweled heels. "But he's an laid-back guy. He never says no."

With a dozen or so in the audience, the attractive Jonesboro couple were married -- in six minutes -- by the father of the groom, Clarence Lammie.

"I don't think she expected me to say yes, but I was all in it from the start," said Lammie Jr., a self-proclaimed electronics junkie. "Plus, she said I could get an iPad."

The ceremonies kicked off at noon when Atlantan Noel Khalil married his bride, Sonnia, who recently moved here from the Dominican Republic after two and a half years of courtship. The couple purchased two time slots for their wedding, attended by dozens of family and friends.

Khalil, 59, said he was drawn to Rhodes Hall because of its romantic nature, not to mention the obvious ease of getting married on Valentine's Day.

"I can't forget the anniversary this way," Khalil said, beaming as he watched his bride stand for photos. "And I can get one gift for two special days."

Most of the whirlwind ceremonies were officiated by Chaplain Jeremiah O'Keefe-West, a good-natured Irishman quick with a joke. As the various couples exchanged vows, O'Keefe-West asked: "Is this your final answer?"

Some of the weddings were filled with nervous, happy tears of new brides and bridegrooms, while others were sentimental renewals of pledges.

Atlantans Aaron Cobb and Jamie Ravenscraft were married 10 years ago in North Carolina and decided to celebrate their decade together by renewing their vows Sunday.

The only audience for the eight-minute ceremony was the couple's 3-year-old son, Zeke, who played with a toy camera as his parents recited their commitment.

Ravenscraft, due to deliver their second son in April, said she had wanted to renew their vows since learning about Cupid at the Castle last year.

"It just seemed like a really good time to remember happy memories," she said.