Cambridge Mayor Tom Orr has officiated more than 200 civil ceremonies, some of them in rather unusual places

One of the lesser known duties of a mayor is to unite couples in marriage.

Since he took office Jan. 1, 2008, Cambridge Mayor Tom Orr has done so on 225 occasions through the end of last year.

"I feel honored to stand at all of them," Orr said. "I've done them in some very unusual areas. The covered bridge at the City Park. I've been at Seneca Lake and Salt Fork. I've had brides and grooms come off a boat. I've had them stand in that special place where they met. I've had them [at City Hall] in different offices. I've been at swimming pools in family yards. Stood in gazebos. I've done them Christmas Eve. I've done them in front of fireplaces at special occasions. It's been a little bit of everything, quite honestly. It's a unique experience."

Among Orr's most notable officiations: The marriage of Cambridge native and stage and screen actor Corey Brill with girlfriend and actress Joy Osmanski. The ceremony took place on the steps of the Guernsey County Courthouse on Dec. 31, 2009.

Officiating the union of a man and woman did not come easily for Orr in the early years.

"I really struggled with that when I got the job," he said. "I wondered if the good Lord really wanted me to do that. It seemed to me like it was the short version of what should be a little bit more in depth. But then I realized that's between the two people who take the vow. The vow is the most important thing."

Though a wedding is often thought of as a time for happiness at the prospect of a long life together, Orr admits to a few times wondering what the future would hold for newlyweds.

"The one's that are going off to the service," he said. "Maybe they only have a 24-hour or 48-hour window of opportunity. And you see the little kids looking, and the parents ... and you just get a feeling. And no matter what the world tells you, it's easier to do with two than it is with one."

Orr averages about 38 marriages per year. His first year in office was his most officious to date, with 60 weddings performed. His slowest year was in 2011, when he wed 25 couples.

Orr's fee? He asks only for a donation.

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Cambridge Mayor Tom Orr has officiated more than 200 civil ceremonies, some of them in rather unusual places