In the sections below I will answer all your burning questions about planning a NYC elopement and provide all the fast facts pertaining to intimate wedding logistics in New York City.
ADDITIONAL HELPFUL RESOURCES
BOOK ME AS YOUR NYC ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER
Table of Contents
WHERE IS NYC?
NYC is located in the southeastern corner of New York State. You may arrive there by car, Amtrak at Grand Central Station or Penn Station, or by plane at LaGuardia or JFK Airport.
The Manhattan City Hall wedding location, officially the City Clerk’s Marriage Bureau:
Marriage Bureau Hours: 8:30 am to 3:45 pm, Monday through Friday
141 Worth Street
New York, NY 10013
Subway: Brooklyn Bridge Station on the 4, 5, & 6 lines; Park Place Station on the 2 & 3 lines; City Hall Station on the N & R lines; Chambers Street Station on the A & C lines
Buses: M1, M6, M15, M22, M103, B51, & express buses serving City Hall area
WHY YOU MAY CHOOSE TO HAVE A NYC ELOPEMENT OVER HAVING A TRADITIONAL NYC WEDDING
- You envision yourself having a day with just you and your partner or a select few close family members or friends to watch you say “I do”. Having a sunrise ceremony at Central Park and then exploring NYC with your best friend the rest of the day is totally up your alley!
- Whether you are a local to New York or you have always dreamed of getting married in NYC, you envision scenes like skyscrapers, yellow cabs, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Maybe you are celebrating with a slice from Joe’s Pizza or a dessert from Levain Bakery or Magnolia Bakery
- You want to plan your wedding day from start to finish however the two of you would like, whether that’s getting married at NYC’s City Hall or a beautiful outdoor location
- The average wedding produces “63 tons of CO2 and 400-600 pounds of trash”. By opting for a NYC elopement or intimate wedding you can still have the city wedding of your dreams, but incorporate your values for sustainability.
If this sounds like the two of you, continue reading on to see what a dream NYC elopement looks like from start to finish!
GETTING MARRIED IN NYC
https://www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/content/marriage-license
To get married in NYC, you must first obtain a marriage license from the NYC City Clerk’s Office via their Project Cupid portal (nyc.gov/cupid), requiring an appointment, IDs, and a $35 fee, then wait 24 hours before having a ceremony (either civil at City Hall or with a registered officiant) with at least one witness, ensuring your officiant is also registered in NYC if it’s a civil ceremony.
1. Get Your Marriage License
- Apply Online: Start the application at nyc.gov/cupid.
- Book an Appointment: Schedule either a virtual or in-person interview at the City Clerk’s office through Project Cupid.
- Gather Documents: You’ll need valid photo IDs and potentially divorce decrees.
- Pay the Fee: The license costs $35.
- Wait 24 Hours: A mandatory 24-hour waiting period starts after you receive the license before you can get married.
2. Have Your Ceremony
- City Hall Ceremony:
- Schedule an appointment at nyc.gov/cupid.
- Both partners must attend with the license, IDs, and one witness (18+).
- There’s a $25 ceremony fee.
Central Park Elopement ceremonies may require a Special Use Permit.
- With an Officiant:
- Choose an officiant authorized by New York State.
- If they perform ceremonies in NYC, they must be registered with the City Clerk.
- You still need the license, a witness, and must follow the 24-hour rule.
Key Things to Remember
- Appointments are Key: Everything, including license applications and ceremonies, requires booking through nyc.gov/cupid.
- Witness Required: You need at least one witness (18+) for the ceremony.
- License Validity: The license is valid for 60 days
BEST PLACES TO STAY FOR A LUXURY NYC ELOPEMENT
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/nycxr-the-st-regis-new-york/overview
https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/the-carlyle-new-york
ICONIC PHOTO SPOTS FOR A NYC ELOPEMENT
NYC Public Library
Central Park- Bethesda Fountain, The Mall, etc.
Walking across the street (with skyscrapers around) or by Radio City Music Hall
By a subway sign
By a yellow taxi cab
Walking out the city hall doors as a first time married couple
Top of the Rock
Washington Square Park
DUMBO/ Brooklyn Bridge Park
Pebble Beach
Brooklyn Heights Promenade
The iconic Washington Street shot with the Manhattan Bridge in the background
You could have a 610 Loft & Garden Elopement (I believe a ceremony & portraits rental for an elopement may be $3500)
VENDORS YOU MAY CONSIDER FOR A NYC ELOPEMENT
Photographer (hopefully me!)
Content Creator
Florist
Hair & Make-up Artist
Rings
Wedding attire & shoes
Officiant
Reservation at a spot to celebrate
NYC FLORISTS FOR ELOPEMENTS
NYC CONTENT CREATORS FOR ELOPEMENTS
BEST TIME TO ELOPE IN NYC
NYC is a year round destination that should not be missed. Here are some top tips for choosing when to elope in New York:
- Weekdays are naturally less crowded
- If you want to elope in the summer (between June and late August), but ideally want to have as close to a private outdoor ceremony as possible opt for a sunrise session.
- You’ll find NYC to be the “quietest” mid January through March.
- Summer: June-August, Fall: September-November (maybe you want fall foliage), Winter: December-February, Spring: March-May (maybe you’d like to have a NYC cherry blossom elopement in April)
EXAMPLE 2 HOUR NYC CITY HALL ELOPEMENT TIMELINE
2:15PM-2:45PM Check in with the office & pay, detail photos (rings, vows, flowers), head to the ceremony room
2:45PM-3:00PM Wedding Ceremony
3:00PM-3:15PM Celebrate! Any final paperwork and some photos outside City Hall
3:15PM-3:30PM Taxi ride to portrait location
3:30PM-4:15PM Wedding portraits in location of choice
NYC WEDDING VENUES THAT PROVIDE ELOPEMENT PACKAGES
TOP OF THE ROCK
TIPS FOR A NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY ELOPEMENT
Monday-Saturday the NYC Public Library opens at 10AM so I’d suggest an elopement ceremony before 9AM (the earlier the better). On Sunday, the NYC Library opens at 1PM, but to mitigate crowds in the city in general I’d still aim for that 6:30AM-9:00AM window. This is rain day option if you want more coverage for your ceremony.
New York Public Library – Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
476 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018
TIPS FOR PLANNING A WINTER NYC ELOPEMENT
- Wear warm leggings underneath your wedding attire if you are planning a ceremony or portraits outside
- Be ready to embrace rain or snow (I’ll pack some clear umbrellas). NYC doesn’t typically get that much snow in December, but you do get all the fun holiday decorations.
- Bring along hot packs to keep you warm outside. They have them in varying types like hand and toe warmers or body warmers.
- Plan time to take breaks to warm up from the chilly outdoor temps. Get hot chocolate at Max Brenner (Union Square or Times Square) or Serendipity for their Frrrozen Hot Chocolates
- Some activities you could do with me or on your own depending on the month (ice skating at Rockefeller Center or Wollman Rink, see the window displays on 5th, see the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, see a holiday show like the Rockettes, visit the Bryant Park or Union Square Holiday Market)
BEST NYC COFFEE SHOPS FOR A CAFFEINE BOOST
If you’re having a sunrise NYC elopement or just need a caffeine boost, these are my top recommendations so far. I’m a coffee lover to the core (think Gilmore Girls Lorelai level) so these are my favorites that made the cut for A+ lattes and a cute aesthetic.
https://meghanlynchphotography.com/best-coffee-shops-nyc
DO YOU PHOTOGRAPH LGBTQIA+ ELOPEMENTS?
You bet! I’m an inclusive wedding vendor. All are welcome.
DO YOU HAVE A BACKUP CAMERA?
Yes I have two cameras with me on your wedding day!
HOW MANY GUESTS CAN I BRING TO MY NEW YORK CITY ELOPEMENT?
You are more than welcome to have a celebration with just the two of you or you can absolutely bring your VIP family and friends along. My NYC intimate weddings and elopements are capped at 20 guests.
HOW MANY PHOTOS WILL WE RECEIVE?
I believe in quality over quantity so you can expect on average a minimum of 50 images per hour.
HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EDITING STYLE?
To give your images that timeless look, my editing style is vibrant & true to color. By not following a trend, your images will have that classic look with a mix of some black & white photos in your gallery.
DO YOU SHOOT FILM PHOTOGRAPHY OR JUST DIGITAL?
Currently I just photograph on digital mirrorless Sony cameras.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR US TO RECEIVE OUR NEW YORK CITY ELOPEMENT IMAGES?
You’ll receive your images within 4-6 weeks max, but you’ll get some sneak peeks within 48 hours. I take time editing each individual photo with my vibrant/true to life editing style. I also include complimentary photoshop retouching of your images for magazine worthy photos! This includes things such as removing zits, flyaway hairs, apple watch tan lines, trash, and photobombers in the background of your photos.
HOW DO I RECEIVE MY WEDDING GALLERY?
Your wedding gallery will be uploaded to an online gallery site that is password protected. It’s super user friendly and you can download your images with one click! You are more than welcome to share this link with anyone you’d like. That way if you do have family members or friends in attendance they can download photos of themselves too. It links to a professional printing lab, but you aren’t obligated to order prints through me. If you’d like to print your photos elsewhere that is totally fine (I’ll give you a print release in case a lab wants to see it). There are never any watermarks on your images.
DO YOU OFFER PRINTS?
Yes! The link to your online gallery connects to a professional printing lab so you can order prints, framed wall art, and canvases through me if you are looking to decorate your homes with memories of your wedding day.
WHAT IF THERE IS BAD WEATHER ON MY ELOPEMENT DAY?
I don’t believe in bad weather only bad gear! Growing up in New England I have photographed in all weather conditions from snowy days in Vermont to rainy days. In my opinion rainy days can create some of the most romantic photos (I also bring along clear umbrellas for you too!). The couples I love working with are ready to have a dance party in the rain and embrace the weather no matter what!
In cases where it looks like there will be a break in the rain earlier in the day, (and any other booked vendors are flexible) then we can pivot our time together on your wedding day to photograph during a cloudy break.
HOW DO WE BOOK YOU?
You’ll reach out in my contact form with your desired date, coverage time, and a general location to see if I’m available. If I’m free your date then we’ll hop on a zoom call so I can learn more about the two of you and the elopement day you envision! After that, I’ll send you the proposal (contract & invoice) for you two to sign & pay and then you’ll be officially blocked off on my calendar!
MY NYC ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY FAST FACTS
- Over 10 years as a wedding & elopement photographer (work is published in a variety of magazines). You can read all the 50+ five star raving reviews on google!
- I am an LGBTQIA+ friendly wedding vendor
- Editing style: Vibrant/ True to life. Years down the line I want you to remember your wedding day as it was when you look at your photos rather than a trend.
- Photography style: Classic & timeless imagery- natural posing, candids, and an editorial flare when capturing your details. I’ll give you prompts to have your natural personalities come out and make you feel super comfortable in front of the camera.
- Complimentary retouching of distractions for magazine worthy images (I don’t do body modifications): exit signs, trash cans, people in the background of a photo, zits, sunburns/apple watch tans. I want the focus to be on YOU
- Rainy day? I’ll bring my clear umbrellas for you
- Sentimental details you want photographed? I bring along my styling mat
- Sneak peeks are back within 2 days and the final gallery back within 8 weeks.
- Prints and wall art available a la carte. You can always extend photo coverage (even on wedding day).
BOOK YOUR NYC ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MY “JUST MOVED TO NYC” ELOPEMENT RATES CURRENTLY. MY ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY PRICES WILL NEVER BE THIS LOW AGAIN. NYC elopement photography collections begin at 1 hour of coverage and go up from there. You can read more about pricing & info here.
I photograph NYC elopements and intimate weddings (max 20 guests) at sunrise or sunset (unless at City Hall or another NYC venue).
PLEASE NOTE: In order to give my couples those dreamy photos with the best light I only photograph ceremonies & formal couples photos during golden hour light (sunrise and sunset). The only exception would be for those booking a ceremony appointment at NYC’s City Hall. The early wake-up call is totally worth having a private ceremony experience.
LET’S MAKE THESE CITY DREAMS OF YOURS COME TRUE! IF YOU ARE THINKING OF HAVING A NYC ELOPEMENT THEN SHOOT ME A MESSAGE IN MY CONTACT FORM TO CHECK MY AVAILABILITY!
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