WHY ELOPEMENTS ARE THE WAY TO GET MARRIED IN NYC!!
WHY ELOPEMENTS / MICRO WEDDINGS ARE THE WAY TO GET MARRIED IN NYC!!
LESS IS MORE!
Having an elopement is a great idea! It’s so nice to host an intimate small elopement ceremony with close friends and family! Most of my couples elope first and even add on another bigger reception / party at another time! Whether you’re just sticking with the intimate elopement or planning a bigger NYC wedding later, here are a few reasons why I think you should have an elopement!
1. SAVE SOME MONEY….
You can also spend a little more on the parts for the elopement that will last and that matter most to YOU! For instance your WEDDING photos!! :D (But for real, wedding photos last forever… not anything else) But also if you want that beautiful BHLDN dress that you’ve been thinking about forever, those Cartier specialty rings, that DELICIOUS Taste Creme Cake, or that kick ass Fox Fodder Farm bouquet … GET IT… because you have the cash for it —instead of having it all tied up in a reception venue deposit! Best part is that you don’t even need to share the cake :)
But, if you choose to have an intimate elopement ceremony before the big reception party, you can also buy some time to….
2. SAVE UP FOR A BIGGER PARTY LATER!
You can save up for that amazing restaurant or dream venue (Hello, Blue Hill At Stone Barns), enjoy the food AND have that crazy dance party when the time is RIGHT! It’ll be even more fun because you don’t have to stress about the ceremony or any thing else! Just about enjoying yourself with your friends and family— eating, drinking and dancing away!
3. Less Headaches AND Deadlines
With a small intimate elopement ceremony, you don’t need to think about sending out save the dates, invitations, RSVPS, or venue deposits. Just call and text your closest people, tell them when and where to show up and you just show up too. :)
4. More Time for Photography
This is honestly KEY. With a smaller and quieter ceremony, you’ll be able to have a much more of a laid back portrait session! Most large weddings have time constraints on photography since we’re always trying to rush back in time to the guests and the party schedule. But having a small elopement allows you to slow down and ease into more getting comfortable in front of the camera and allowing your photographer (hopefully me!) to get some amazing and intimate portraits of you two. You can even schedule to go to more locations around NYC since there are less people out and about.. and also less people to take care of and host during a big wedding day.
5. Less Traffic
This may seem like a silly thing to list… but in New York City, not having to sit in traffic is like a DREAM. Being able to get yourself and your close peoples to the right place at the right time will be much easier and also less headache. The less people you have to move around and plan for, the easier!
6. Zoom-Able to Meet in New York City
You can now just easily live-stream your wedding either via facebook, instagram, zoom, google meets- whatever!— so that those near and far can tune in on the festivities! Right in their pajamas! (You could also make them dress up- the fun is up to you!!) But it’s awesome because you can bring EVERYONE from all over the world to your intimate ceremony in New York City!
And last but not least…
7. Full Focus on Each Other
With all those 10,048,584,449 things out of the way when planning big weddings, you can truly SEE your significant other clearly and soak in every moment of your intimate ceremony. With less distractions, less things to stress over, less things to think about— you can truly remember WHY you’re marrying the person next to you and enjoy each other’s vows, I DO’s and first kiss! It really is an amazing way to start the next chapter in your life..
I hope you all enjoyed this post and are a little more open to the idea of elopements in new york city!! If you’re interested in learning more about NYC City Hall Elopements or just checking out some elopement inspiration, here are some great links:
7 Tips on How to Plan your New York City Hall Ceremony / Elopement !
Updated March 2025, so these tips are up to date with 2025 Cityhall Guidelines!
So I’ve photographed a ton of weddings inside New York City’s City Hall on 141 Worth Street! I’ve had amazing couples from all over the world from places like Singapore, UK, Ireland and even some from as far as Australia- and they all travel to New York City for a destination wedding. I’ve also had couples from Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan because they chose to have a small intimate ceremony inside the NYC City Clerk Chapel! People either bring an entourage of family and friends, or with just me- as their witness! Whatever the reason—-it’s exciting!! There’s such a sense of sweetness in dressing up in a wedding dress, galavanting into a gorgeous historical building in New York City and saying your vows to one another. There’s really nothing else like it. Having your soul mate by your side, making promises that will last a lifetime and then getting your pictures taken all around the amazing views of New York City? Nothing. Can. Beat. It.
So if this is something you’re planning on doing, I figured it’d be nice for me to give you some tips on planning and how to make your day go smoothly!
1. Apply for your marriage license!
I know you may think this is a no-brainer- but in fact, a lot of couples don’t realize you need to apply first in order to get married at the chapel! You can apply online on the Office of the City Clerk. After you have done that, you’ll receive a Confirmation Number with more info telling you what IDs and documents you will need. Keep in mind that this is all BEFORE the actually wedding ceremony at the Chapel. I believe now, (post covid in 2024), you MUST schedule all appointments online before entering into City Hall. So you must schedule to get the license AND you must schedule a time to go in for the in-person ceremony.
If you want more in-depth on the types of paperwork, IDs you’ll need, please go to the office of the City Clerk Website, or you can check out this great article from The Knot.
2. Invite your friends and family as early as possible!
Since City Hall elopements happen only during normal government work hours (M-F, 8am-4:30pm) - chances are your friends and family will need ample time to take off of work/class/other engagements so they can attend! Especially true if they are flying in or out from another country! The current guest amount in NY City Hall is 4, so it would be you, your fiance and 4 other people. If you have a photographer, then it is 3 more guests you can bring in. PLEASE DOUBLE check the current guidelines on the CITY CLERK website before inviting too many people!
3. Secure A Photographer and Secure a Witness!
If you have someone in mind, reach out to them ASAP! ( You can also contact me! 😉) You definitely will want this day captured! So get someone who knows the ropes of the City Hall procedures and can also take you around to some cool places afterwards to get some portraits done! If you also plan on having just you and your significant other at this intimate ceremony, make sure to bring a witness! It’s not legal until you have a witness sign that paper! Photographers (and myself) can also act as a witness- so make sure they bring a legal ID. (A driver’s license or passport works!)
4. Best Time to go to City Hall for the Chapel Wedding
Mondays and Fridays before a long weekend are usually the most busy days. I always recommend the after-morning rush, which is around 11am (if you’re aiming for a brunch with friends/family) or go for the 3pm slot if you are planning to do some photos and have dinner afterward. They are currently doing reservations online so you can book 3 weeks in advance. Keep in mind that the city clerk office CLOSES FOR LUNCH between 1-2pm so there is usually a bit of a delay and sometimes even a line to get in at 2pm, so I’d aim for 3pm.
5. A BIT OF Wait Time is Expected!
No matter what, there is going to be a small wait time. Even though now (2025 post covid) you can make a reservation online for an appointment— there is still a small wait. If you’ve ever been to the DMV, you can equate it to that. There are a few lines to wait on, but they generally go by rather quickly! From my experience, the wait these days is at most about 45 minutes to an hour; from entering, paying, having the ceremony to exiting! So always have that in mind when you’re planning your day. Get insight on where you want to do your photos after and also where you want to hold your reception in accordance to your ceremony time.
6. Plan your MEAL!
Keep in mind that the ceremony at Cityhall and then photos afterwards could take about 2-3 hours, so make sure you have a hearty meal beforehand or grab a snack along the way… and always, always remember to bring water! Modeling is tough work!
7. Think about transportation!
Do you have a large group or is it just you two? If you have a big group that is traveling from out of town, make sure they know where and how to get to their next destination! After a few group portraits, you’ll either need to call them some taxis, teach them how to manage the subways or call ubers. Getting them situated would be the best move in order for you and your photographer start your portrait session. If it’s just you and your photographer, make sure you plan where you’ll be heading to next and how you’d like to get there!
I hope this helps out in your planning for your special day! If you have any other questions or would like to book a session with me, you can always reach out to me!
8. BONUS TIP - Bring a hard and unbendable folder to store your MARRIAGE LICENSE IN! After the ceremony, they give you your official marriage license! So make sure you have somewhere safe to store it when you leave city hall! You can also hand it to a trustworthy friend/family member so they can hang onto it until after you finish your wedding portraits!
Couple celebrating with family across the street from City Hall
CUTE Prop Ideas for your New York City Engagement, ELOPEMENT & WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY Session! (IN GIFS TOO!)
Props for your New York City wedding or engagement photos can come in all different forms! From balloons…to food, to snacks, desserts or even your pet… it’s okay to get CREATIVE! But incase you need some ideas or inspiration, here are some great ideas from some of my past couples that have used props for their engagement shoots and weddings!
BOBA
(aka Bubble tea for those of us from the East Coast)
Def still my favorite drink of all time albeit I need to do like 30% sugar now (getting older -_-) but still delicious! We picked these Boba Guys from the Canal Street Market in Chinatown, New York City.
PIZZA
The quintessential NEW YORK CITY food! Pizza and photos are always a beautiful partnership! One of the best spots in NYC? Scarrs !
DIM SUM
New York City has one of the best asian cuisine selections in the world! Dim Sum was something that brought this couple together and wanted to have their engagement photos reflect that!
BOOKSTORES + BOOKS!!
Always a great backdrop and fun! These were taken at Housing Works in Soho, NYC
Or this SUPER cute GIF taken with postcards! This wedding was at the iconic STRAND Bookstore on Union Square, NYC inside the Rare Book Collections room! (Obsesssssed!!!!!)
TACOS
Fish tacos are definitely my personal favorite, but I’m always down for ANY, even TACO BELL hahha. These are taken in by The High Line at Chelsea Market; Los Mariscos Tacos.
COFFEE
Grabbing a cup of coffee with someone is one of my personal favorite past times… so of course getting one with your s/o is just as fun to use as a prop!
SHAKE SHACK
Shake Shack Burgers for your engagement session …. I would sure never say no!! I love their burgers and their milk shakes! These were taken at the Shake Shack near Brooklyn Bridge Park in Dumbo, Brooklyn.
SUNFLOWERS
Flowers of any sort are a nice addition to making your photos pop! This shot was taken at Fort Tryon Park in Hudson Heights, NYC.
BALLOONS
Balloons are so much fun to have during your engagement or wedding photo sessions! They add a sense of movement and always exciting for me when I’m creating my wedding gifs! The Balloonn Saloon definitely has a HUGE selection! They’re located in the West Village, in NYC.
STRING SIGNS
These were made by the bride herself! This shot was taken on the High Line, overlooking the Empire State Building in Chelsea, New York City.
BUBBLES
You can find the elusive bubble guys that wander around Central Park. Or you can bring your own bubbles to use!
BIKES
Real or graffiti bikes always work!
SPARKLERS
Always a classic with weddings! Most of the times they’re illegal in NYC…. so you’ll have to pick and choose your battles. Speak with your venue / wedding location before lighting them up!
DRINKS
Grab a drink or a beer at your favorite bar, brewery or beer garden!
THE NYC SUBWAY
As annoying and unreliable the NYC subway is, it is the structure that runs and is the backbone of New York City. So having it your photos to commemorate your time in New York City can actually be really cool and fun.
SMORES
If you have access to a fire pit somewhere (like this couple who had one of their Brooklyn Rooftop!) smores are such a cute and tasty idea!!
CUPCAKES
Always a sucker for sweets! Most places in NYC or Brooklyn have banging cupcakes. These are from One Girl Cookie in Dumbo, Brooklyn and Magnolia Bakery!
ICE CREAM
We all know no one can resist ice cream! This couple chose to get Van Leeuwen ice cream in the West Village in NYC! Yum!!!!!!!
… and this couple opted for Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream right after they had their elopement at Central Park!
UMBRELLAS
Great for the rainy days! This couple opted for I <3 NY umbrellas because they both came from California, along with their parents visiting to see them elope in the big apple! (You can check out their whole session here)
UKELELE
Or any musical instrument would be cute! I’ve had couples use guitars for their engagement session and serenade each other too!
FRAMED STATE IMAGERY
Are you a NYC transplant? You can create an ode to your hometown state in some fashion, like how this couple did these beautiful framed gold state images!
and last but not least….
YOUR PET !! (NOT A PROP, BUT ITS A GREAT IDEA!!)
Having your dog or cat (and even rabbit!) join for your session is never a bad idea!! I also once found a man walking his pet turtles at Central Park…. so no judgement to anyone!! <3
And if you feel EVEN MORE creative … you can double up on props and pets!!
Hope you guys got some great inspiration for your New York City engagement, elopement or wedding shoot from this blog post!! Can’t wait to see what other creative ideas others will have in the upcoming years!
Great Locations to have an Intimate Ceremony, Elopement or Micro Wedding in New York City
Finding a space in New York City to have an intimate ceremony, reception or elopement has it’s challenges. Finding a space that is cozy AND has delicious food is even more difficult! So I’ve compiled a list of some great spaces and locations in New York City that would be beautiful (and tasty) to host an intimate ceremony, reception or elopement! …or as we now call theem in the post-pandemic world, Micro Weddings
Freemans Resturant
Freeman Alley, New York, NY 10002
https://www.freemansrestaurant.com
Great places to shoot nearby: Freeman Alley, Lower East Side Streets and Murals
Bobo NYC Restaurant
181 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014
https://www.bobonyc.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: The West Village, Chelsea, The High Line
Chantelle Hotel Rooftop
92 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002
https://www.hotelchantelle.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: Lower East Side, Murals, Soho
Haven’s Kitchen
109 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011
https://havenskitchen.com
Great places to shoot nearby: The West Village, Greenwich Village, Madison Square Park and The Flatiron District
Maison May (Brooklyn)
246 Dekalb Avenue, Brooklyn
https://maison-may.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Brooklyn
Casa Mono & Bar Jamon (Michelin Star Restaurant!)
52 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003
https://www.casamononyc.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: Union Square Park, Gramercy Park, Union Square District
Juliette (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
135 N 5th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
https://juliettewilliamsburg.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: Williamsburg, East River State Park, Brooklyn
Upper Story
979 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10022
https://www.upperstoryny.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: Central Park, Lexington Ave
Blue Hill at Stone Barns
(A little bit outside of NYC but definitely a FAV)
630 Bedford Rd, Tarrytown, NY 10591
https://www.bluehillfarm.com/dine/stone-barns
Great places to shoot nearby: The ENTIRE FARM!
Acqua Santa (Brooklyn)
556 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
http://www.acquasanta.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: East River State Park, Brooklyn, Williamsburg, DUMBO
Park Avenue; Spring
PARK AVENUE SOUTH AT 26TH ST. | NEW YORK, NY 10010
https://www.parkavenyc.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: Madison Square Park, Flatiron District
Kabisera
151 Allen St, New York, NY 10002
https://www.facebook.com/Kabiseranyc/
Great places to shoot nearby: Lower East Side, Chinatown, Downtown NYC
The Musket Room
265 ELIZABETH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10012
https://www.musketroom.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: Lower East Side chic storefronts / Murals
Bottino
246 10th Ave, New York, NY 10001
https://www.bottinonyc.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: The High Line, Chelsea, The West Village
Amali
115 E. 60th ST., NY, NY 10022
https://www.amalinyc.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: Central Park, 5th Ave
Gramercy Park Hotel Rooftop; Gramercy Terrace
2 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10010
https://www.gramercyparkhotel.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: Gramercy Park, Flatiron District and Madison Square Park
LAFAYETTE
380 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10003
https://www.lafayetteny.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: Lower East Side, Soho, Chinatown and downtown Manhattan
The Boat House at Prospect Park
101 East Dr, Brooklyn, NY 11225
https://www.prospectpark.org
Great places to shoot nearby: Prospect Park 0:)
Your Own BACKYARD!
…or if you know someone that has a beach house- you can always rent a tent and have an amazing, cozy and simple party there with friends & family!
I hope you enjoyed this post and was able to gain some inspiration for planning your New York City elopement, intimate ceremony or reception! There are honestly so many wonderful restaurants, venues, outdoor parks, spaces all over New York City and I think that’s why I love living and working here- there is never a “cookie-cutter” style for a wedding! If you need any other inspiration for your wedding day or elopement, take a gander at my other blog posts:
