If the idea of planning a 200 guest wedding makes your skin itch (and your pocket ache) then eloping in NYC may be the right choice for you! New York City attracts hundreds of thousands of happy couples every year that want to get hitched in one of the greatest cities in the world. From the world famous Central Park to towering outdoor venues like Top of the Rock, there are countless options for inexpensive (or free) ceremony locations. Add in the fact that your honeymoon can start immediately after “I Do” with a romantic dinner at a local restaurant (or local hot dog stand) followed by a Broadway play and full body massage at an award winning spa (all within walking distance of your ceremony location) and the choice to get hitched in New York is a no brainer!!
City Hall is a great option if you want a no frills quickie wedding. The Marriage Bureau is only open on weekdays and they do not allow personalized ceremonies. Our photographers have captured tons of City Hall elopements and can provide amazing photography to commemorate your big day.
If you want a more intimate and personalized elopement then our all-inclusive package may be right for you. I know what you’re thinking; how do I plan all of this from another time zone?! Lucky for you, our studio can take care of everything! From booking the permit for your ceremony location to providing amazing hair and makeup artist (and bridal bouquet ) that come right to your hotel to get you picture perfect. We plan everything for you, all you have to do is show up !
Below is a step by step guide on how to make it happen!
Book your Elopement Package here
#1 -Obtain your Marriage License!
Weddings are filled with laughter, tears and promises of life long love… and signing legal documents of course! If you want your marriage to be a legally recognized then obtaining a marriage license at City Hall is step 1! Be sure check out the NYC marriage bureaus website for the documents you need to bring. There is a 24 hour waiting period before you can get hitch and the bureau is only open on weekdays so be sure to plan ahead! Your officiant will need to sign the marriage license as well and file it with the state so you can receive your marriage certificate.
#2 – Find an Officiant
The officiant (a person legally registered with the state to perform wedding ceremonies) may be the most important “third wheel” on your wedding day. Your officiant will work closely with you to create a personalized ceremony to reflect your personality as a couple. Your elopement ceremony can include personalized vows, special readings and rituals like a sand ceremony . Our studio works with several amazing officiant that have performed hundreds of elopement ceremonies all over NYC!
#3- Find Photographer/Videographer to capture it all!
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and your wedding day includes some of the most important “words” you will ever say! Hiring the right photographer and video team to capture your elopement is one of the most important decisions in your wedding journey. Our photographers have worked with hundreds of elopement clients and know the best places to get the best shots for your big day! Although our studios is in Brooklyn, our team is familiar with all the boroughs and are great tour guides for couples coming to NYC from overseas for a destination wedding. Not only will they provide you with amazing photo and video from your big day they can give you some pointers on the best places for dinner and dancing after wards!
#4 – Pick a location!
Ok , this is probably the hardest and most fun part of the whole process. Picking a location for your ceremony! New York is probably one of the most diverse cities in the world, which means you have a countless options for wedding locations in all 5 boroughs! Our elopement team have had the opportunity to work at most of them and love them all ! For just the price of admission, you can exchange vows 70 stories above the streets of NY with a breathtaking backdrop of the Manhattan skyline at Rockefeller Center’s “ Top of the Rock” observatory deck or if you prefer to keep both feet planted on the ground, you can get hitched in an intimate garden named after a historic poet in Central Park’s Shakespeare Garden. Check out our list of top elopement locations for ideas!
#5 – Tie the Knot and live Happily Ever After..
This is probably our favorite step and needs no explanation! Be sure to give us a call to customize your all-inclusive elopement package today!
