This is the best Boston elopement guide if you are interested in having a Boston micro wedding. The Boston Public Garden and Seaport District (as well as many others) offer stunning backdrops for a downtown city elopement. If your dream intimate wedding consists of a ceremony amongst the skyscrapers with just your partner or with a small select group of close family members and friends then eloping in Boston is the perfect option.
In the sections below I will answer all your burning questions about planning a Boston elopement and provide all fast facts pertaining to wedding logistics in Massachusetts. Continue reading to be inspired!
ADDITIONAL HELPFUL RESOURCES
ELOPEMENT INFO, PRICING, AND FAQS
WANT TO ELOPE ON THE BEACH INSTEAD? CONSIDER ELOPING ON THE CAPE OR CHECK OUT THE NEWPORT BEACH HOUSE IN RHODE ISLAND FOR A WATERFRONT VENUE/BEACH CEREMONY
BOOK ME AS YOUR BOSTON ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER
I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR BOSTON ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER. HERE ARE SOME THINGS I DON’T WANT YOU TO MISS!
- I photograph elopements (max of 20 people) Monday-Thursday.
- With indoor elopements, ceremony photo coverage can be booked anytime. If you are having a Boston elopement outdoors, I book wedding ceremony coverage during golden hour after sunrise or before sunset. Top tip: If you want to have as close to a “just us” private experience as possible with no crowds or tourists taking cell-phone pics, sunrise ceremonies are super peaceful and make you feel like you have Boston all to yourself!
Table of Contents
GETTING MARRIED IN MASSACHUSETTS
HOW TO GET MARRIED AT BOSTON CITY HALL
HOW TO GET MARRIED AT CAMBRIDGE CITY HALL
- Remember you don’t have to get married inside a city hall. You can have an officiant like Married By Priscilla to perform your ceremony outdoors in iconic areas like the Public Garden or Boston’s Seaport District.
The Mass Gov website is an incredible resource for all your information on what to do before, during, and after you get married in Massachusetts. The information below gives a quick overview from their website, but you’ll want to read their informative articles linked below to make sure there is nothing you missed!
GETTING MARRIED IN MASSACHUSETTS: BEFORE THE WEDDING
GETTING MARRIED IN MASSACHUSETTS: AFTER THE WEDDING
You need to have a marriage license to get married in the Bay State. To do this you can apply for a license from any city or town in the state — it doesn’t have to be from the town where you live or where your ceremony will be.
Contact your city or town clerk to find out exactly what you and your future spouse need to do to get a marriage license, but in general, before your wedding you’ll need to:
Fill out a Notice of Intention of Marriage Form — You and your future spouse will need to go in person to your city or town clerk to fill out this form. You’ll need to provide:
- Proof of your age, such as a birth certificate or passport
- Your Social Security number
- Payment for fees, which vary by town
- The name you’ll use after the wedding if you’ve decided to change it
Pick up Your Marriage License — There is a required 3-day waiting period before you can pick up your marriage license. In some cases, you can apply for a marriage without delay at the probate or district court in the town where you submit.
Give Your License to the Person Conducting the Ceremony — After you’re married, your officiant must sign and return the license to the city or town clerk who issued it before the 60-day time period is up.
BEST PLACES TO STAY FOR YOUR BOSTON ELOPEMENT
Four Seasons Boston (Public Garden)
Fairmont Copley (Copley Square)
BOSTON ELOPEMENT PACKAGES
For Boston elopements, I offer 2 hour, 4 hour, and 8 hour collections. You can see starting rates for my Boston elopement packages here. Two hours is perfect for those looking for ceremony coverage at City Hall and 1 location for portraits.
EXAMPLE OF TWO REAL BOSTON ELOPEMENT TIMELINES
Sharon & Charlie’s Boston City Hall Wedding & Beacon Hill Portraits
10:30AM Meet outside Boston City Hall for some portraits by the Clock Tower
10:45AM-11:15AM Check in, start taking detail photos, head to room 601
11:15AM-11:30AM Wedding Ceremony
11:30AM-12:00PM Celebrate! Any final paperwork (if you want copies of your license), photos outside City Hall (I’ll order an uber or lyft part way through)
12:00PM-12:15PM Travel to Beacon Hill
12:15PM-12:45PM Beacon Hill Photos
12:45PM-12:55PM Walk to the Public Garden
12:55PM-1:30PM Public Garden photos and champagne pop
Brianna & Kacper’s Boston City Hall Spring Public Garden Elopement
2:15PM Meet outside Boston City Hall for First Look (I’ll set Kacper up first and then snag you Brianna)
2:15PM-2:45PM First Look, Check in with the office & pay, detail photos (rings,vows, shoes), head to Room 601
2:45PM-3:00PM Wedding Ceremony
3:00PM-3:15PM Celebrate! Any final paperwork (if you want copies of your license), some photos outside City Hall (I’ll order an uber or lyft after)
3:15PM-3:30PM Uber or Lyft to Public Garden
3:30PM-4:15PM Floral blooms in the Public Garden/city views, Cherry Blossoms by Back Bay brownstone apartments
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY ELOPEMENT INFORMATION
When does the Boston Public Library offer their elopement package? BPL will offer this package on select Mondays each month. Submit your application here.
Boston Public Library is currently booking elopements for March 2025 (May applications open February 3).
What do you get when booking the Boston Public Library for an elopement? One hour of access for a non-denominational wedding ceremony and photos all within the Guastavino Room.
How many guests can I bring for my Boston Public Library elopement? Couples are invited to include up to 12 guests, regardless of age, to take part in their ceremony. Your photographer and officiant do not count towards the 12-person guest limit.
Where are photos permitted during my hour booking? Photos permitted within Guastavino Room and exterior of McKim Building & Copley Square. Photo access is not permitted within the building (including outdoor Courtyard).
Does the Boston Public Library provide chairs for their elopements? Yes! 12 chairs and ceremony décor will be placed specifically for each appointment
How much is the rental to have an elopement at Boston Public Library? The rental is $200.
How many onsite vendors can I bring? You can provide your officiant and elopement photographer.
When are Boston Public Library elopement ceremonies booked? Ceremonies may be booked within a 90 day booking window, at least 14 days out.
Is live music permitted? No.
What is not permitted at a Boston Public Library micro wedding? Additional furniture, decorations, petals, signs, rice, confetti, balloons, props, or animals are not permitted.
WANT TO ELOPE OUTSIDE THE CITY? CONSIDER A LYMAN ESTATE MICRO WEDDING
When can I book my elopement at the Lyman Estate? The Lyman Estate is a year round wedding venue. Offer is valid any day of the week from November to April, or on May-October weekdays.
How much is the rental fee for a Lyman Estate micro wedding? $875 It is tax-free, and proceeds go toward preserving our buildings and landscapes for future generations to enjoy.
How many people can I bring to my Lyman Estate micro wedding? 15 people or less
How long is the rental for a Lyman Estate elopement? A two hour time frame for your ballroom ceremony and wedding portraits.
No food or alcoholic beverages permitted.
Check out more information on eloping at the Lyman Estate here or the other Historic New England venues here. I’ve photographed elopements here before and Nicole Skarbek is wonderful to work with!
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO ELOPE IN BOSTON
AVERAGE HIGH AND LOW TEMPERATURES FOR BOSTON
SUMMER ELOPEMENTS: JUNE-AUGUST
Summer has arrived in the city! Flowers have bloomed, the trees are vibrant green, and you can watch the sailboats pass by. These are the warmest months in the Boston area and also the busiest due to tourists.
FALL ELOPEMENTS: SEPTEMBER- NOVEMBER
New England is famous for its vibrant fall foliage. Picture vibrant colors in the Public Garden and pumpkins lining the cobblestones in Beacon Hill. In years past Massachusetts peak foliage has been from Sept. 30th- mid October. These are the most popular wedding dates so reach out asap if you are considering a fall Boston elopement.
WINTER ELOPEMENTS: DECEMBER-MARCH
Boston winter elopements are prettiest when there is snow on the ground. Otherwise I don’t recommend winter elopements in the Boston Common, Public Garden, Comm Ave, or the Arnold Arboretum since the trees are bare. This time of year, if there isn’t any snow, I recommend spots showcasing the city skyline like Fan Pier Park, LoPresti, and Piers Park.
SPRING ELOPEMENTS: APRIL-MAY
Beacon Hill, the Charles River Esplanade, and Arnold Arboretum explode with cherry blossoms late April to early May. Then lilacs bloom in the Arnold Arboretum in early May. The weather starts to warm, but there is a greater chance for rain.
BEST OUTDOOR SPOTS TO ELOPE IN BOSTON
Boston Public Garden (Downtown) Lighting wise best at sunrise or sunset.
Boston Common (Downtown) Lighting wise best at sunrise or sunset.
Fan Pier Park (Seaport) Lighting wise best at sunset.
LoPresti Park (East Boston) Lighting wise best at sunset.
Piers Park (East Boston) Lighting wise best at sunset.
Arnold Arboretum (Jamaica Plain) Lighting wise best at sunrise or sunset.
Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park (North End) Lighting wise best at sunrise.
Additional photo spots for before or after your ceremony: Beacon Hill, Charles River Esplanade, North End, Faneuil Hall, Copley Square
BOSTON VENUES THAT ALLOW ELOPEMENTS & MICRO WEDDINGS
Boston Public Library 1 Hour Rental (8 people max)
Commonwealth Cambridge Sky Deck (25 people max)
Lenox Hotel Dome Room (50 people max)
WHERE TO PARK FOR YOUR BOSTON ELOPEMENT?
Street parking can be tricky at times in Boston especially if parallel parking isn’t your favorite. I recommend using Park Whiz or Spot Hero to book discounted parking garage rates. For Boston Public Garden elopements I recommend the Boston Common Garage for easy access. You can also grab an Uber or Lyft or take the T.
THINGS TO DO DURING YOUR BOSTON ELOPEMENT- HOW TO MAKE IT AN INCREDIBLY SPECIAL DAY FOR YOU BOTH
- Start the day by going to your favorite coffee shop like Tatte or Pavement Coffeehouse
- Visit a museum after your ceremony (ICA, MFA, Isabella Stewart) or the Boston Aquarium
- Go on a whale watch with Boston Harbor Cruises
- Read letters from family members or friends who weren’t able to come
- Treat yourself to fresh seafood or North End’s famous Italian food
- Book a sunset cruise or private yacht with Charles River Boat or a boat ride with Boston Harbor Cruise
- Visit a Boston market like SoWa, Bow Market, or Boston Public Market
- Go to a comedy show at Improv Asylum or Laugh Boston
- Tour Fenway or go to a Red Sox game
- Take a food tour with Bites of Boston
- Go to a theatre show or catch some live music
- Get married in Boston in the morning, grab some chocolate covered strawberries to go, and take the Amtrak to NYC for a weekend getaway (one of my couples actually did this)
CAN I BRING PETS TO MY BOSTON ELOPEMENT?
Absolutely! I have photographed dogs, cats, and even horses. I can give you all the top tips for having your furry friend part of your wedding day. They are family after all!
BOSTON FLORISTS TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR BOSTON MICRO WEDDING
BOSTON’S TOP HAIR & MAKEUP ARTISTS
See the full list of talented hair & makeup artists:
CLASSIC BOSTON DESSERTS TO GRAB & GO
Cannolis from Modern Pastry Shop
Boston Burger Company Freak Frappes
ALLERGY FRIENDLY DESSERTS TO CELEBRATE WITH
Pressed Juicery Dairy Free Ice Cream Freeze
Kane’s Donuts (also offer Gluten Free)
BOSTON WEDDING OFFICIANTS
BOSTON LUXURY PICNIC OPTIONS
BOOKING ME AS YOUR BOSTON ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER
I photograph Boston elopements and intimate weddings (max 20 guests) Monday-Thursday.
YOU CAN READ ABOUT ELOPEMENT INFO, PRICING, AND FAQS HERE
PLEASE NOTE: In order to give my couples those dreamy photos with the best light I only photograph outdoor ceremonies (excluding indoor ceremonies) & formal couples photos during golden hour light- two hours after sunrise or two hours before sunset. The early wake-up call in the summer is totally worth having a private ceremony experience (especially in the Public Garden).
LET’S MAKE THESE CITY WEDDING DREAMS OF YOURS COME TRUE! IF YOU ARE THINKING OF HAVING A BOSTON ELOPEMENT OR AN INTIMATE WEDDING IN THE CITY THEN SHOOT ME A MESSAGE IN MY CONTACT FORM TO CHECK MY AVAILABILITY!
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