Update
The attraction of Valentine's Day is flowing through to younger generations.
Caringbah florist Natalie Venables said, "We have had loads of schoolkids, both boys and girls, in".
"We also have been getting younger kids, with fathers bringing in children as young as four to buy flowers for their mother."
Ms Venables' business Funky Flowers was one of many in Sutherland Shire doing a roaring trade as Valentine's Day was celebrated in various ways.
A fountain at Westfield Miranda was covered with hundreds of red flower petals.
Ms Venables said Valentine's Day and Mothers Day were their busiest times of the year.
She expected to sell about 600 bunches of flowers today, on top of 450 yesterday.
"We started setting up the shop a week ago," she said.
"Greenery was delivered two days ago and fresh flowers yesterday and this morning.
"We opened at 5am the last two days, and were here until 10.30pm last night."
Ms Venables, who has sold flowers on Valentine's Day for 15 years, said demand was about the same, but there was a noticeable change in choice.
"We used to sell mainly roses, but a lot more people are now asking for mixed flowers," she said.
Earlier
When it comes to this year's Valentine's Day stories, this one will be hard to beat.
An Illawarra man named Matthew Valentine will marry Francesca Versoza in one of 40 wedding ceremonies conducted by the NSW Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages.
With federal and state elections looming, it's not surprising the "pollies" were capitalising on the big day.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison posted a Valentine's message to his wife Jenny: "Happy Valentine’s Day Jen. From when we first started dating back in 1985 in Year 12 to now. Forever thankful. Love you".
Attorney-General and Cronulla MP Mark Speakman said eight couples would tie the knot at Sydney’s iconic Observatory Hill Rotunda.
"In 2018, the Registry conducted Valentine’s Day weddings on ferries and while this year’s ceremonies will be on dry land the harbour views will be just as spectacular,” Mr Speakman said.
“Observatory Hill has long been a romance hot spot and was once Sydney’s most important location for star gazing.
“I’m sure couples are over the moon to have secured the location for a Valentine’s Day wedding that doesn’t carry an astronomical price tag.”
Births Deaths and Marriages Registrar Amanda Ianna said Valentine’s Day was the registry’s busiest day of the year for weddings.
“In addition to the Observatory Hill weddings, couples will also be getting married in our beautifully renovated ceremony registry rooms in Chippendale and Parramatta and at a hotel near the beach in Wollongong, where four couples will take their vows,” Ms Ianna said.
Registry wedding packages start from $433, which includes the standard marriage certificate.
The Observatory Hill package is exclusive to Valentine’s Day and costs $788.
