How to Elope in NYC - A Detailed Guide
Guide to Eloping in NYC
New York City elopements are becoming more and more popular as couples skip the traditional wedding. With me as your New York City elopement photographer, you can be sure your photos will truly reflect your personalities as a couple - with every candid, un-posed and in between moment captured.
Whether you decide to have your NYC elopement in Central Park, on a rooftop, or in a funky NYC bar - you are sure to have an unforgettable experience.
Getting Started: Planning Your NYC Elopement
There are endless opportunities for a unique New York City elopement. The first thing you need to decide - where you want to elope, and any locations you’ll want to take photos. As a NYC elopement photographer, I’ve done my research on some awesome places to elope - and I’m so excited to share them with you. Here are some of my recommendations:
Grand Central Terminal - no permit fee (not private - there will be people in the backround)
Central Park - permit required for over 20 people, but can be helpful for even just the couple to secure your desired location. $25
Top of the Rock - must buy express pass on web for immediate entry for every person in your party, including photo/video team, $92 per person with tax & fees
NYC Town Hall - schedule at Town Hall, $25 - only 4 guests allowed, including your photo/video team.
Fort Tyron Park - $25 with Parks Department
Empire Stores Rooftop - no permit fee, sunrise on a weekday recommended (can be crowded)
Brooklyn Bridge Park - as per the Parks Department, there is no permit for less than 20 people. If you have more than 20 guests, it is $400.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden - $600 and only on Saturdays and Sundays.
Jane’s Carousel - located in Brooklyn Bridge Park, see #7 for permit info.
New York Public Library - no permit fee, outside only, sunrise on a weekday recommended (can be crowded)
You can check of these blogs to read more about some of the locations mentioned and what they have to offer!
Next: Picking a Date for your NYC Elopement
You typically will want to elope on a weekday because the crowds will be higher in NYC on a weekend. It will be harder and take longer to get photos without people in the background. For certain locations, you may need a permit, and for locations with no permit fees, you may want to consider a sunrise elopement to beat the crowds. Certain permitted locations, such a Brooklyn Botanic Garden, only allow ceremonies on Saturdays and Sundays. If you’re paying for a permit, you won’t have too much of an issue getting your photos in, as they limit how many permits they give out.
Book a Photographer
You’re having a non-traditional “wedding” - why hire a traditional photographer? For elopements, I highly recommend a documentary-style, non traditional photographer. Someone who will capture all of the moments that are the reason you even chose to elope - intimacy & emotion - all while doing it as a “fly on the wall.” Documentary-style and candid photography coverage allows for a way more relaxed and seamless experience. This is exactly how I approach elopements. I absolutely guide you through portraits and important moments, but I allow many moments to happen naturally, documenting your elopement in an authentic way. This means that your moments are captured the way that they are actually happening, steering away from "creating" moments or faking things. As a NYC elopement photographer, I also offer location scouting, vendor recommendations, and timeline planning assistance in all of my packages.
Get Your Marriage License
Once you’ve nailed down where and when + booked your dream photographer, you need to get your marriage license!
If you are eloping in New York City, you can get technically get your marriage license anywhere in New York State, however, certain clerk’s offices may only be offering appointments to their own town residents (there was a backup of appointments during covid, and that rule was implemented to move things along - some offices may still be practicing it.) Your best bet is to obtain your license in your own town clerk’s office! Then, you can elope anywhere in New York City!
When you are ready to set up your appointment, call or visit the website for your town clerk’s office. You will need certain documents to prove your identity and age: such as driver’s license, birth certificate, and social security card.
Your town may have different requirements, so be sure to specifically ask the clerk what you will need to bring to your appointment to be sure that you are fully prepared.
NY does have a 24-hour waiting period after obtaining the marriage license before you can have your officiating ceremony. However - your license is only valid for 60 days after obtaining! So be sure to apply within that period. There is a $35 fee to apply for a marriage license in NYC.
Choose an Officiant and Witness for your NYC Elopement
This is super important! Who do you want officiating your NYC elopement? Will it be a family member or friend? Make sure to have them ordained if so. You can also have another loved one sign as witness.
You can also hire an officiant! I offer vendor recommendations for all of my booked elopement clients, and am happy to help find the perfect officiant for you, if you go that route. I am also happy to sign as witness for all of my clients.
If you are eloping at NYC Town Hall, an officiant will be provided to you.
Choose your Elopement Attire
Do you want a full blown bridal gown? You’ll want to order this in advance, if that is the case. You’ll need time for it to come in as well as time for alterations.
If you are going a more nontraditional route, you can shop off the rack or visit websites such as 12th Tribe, Anthropologie, Lulu’s, ASOS, Windsor, or you can even thrift your elopement dress.
I’ve occasionally seen modern bridal gowns, as well as tons of vintage gowns that you can have reworked by Madison Chamberlain.
I also seen tons of sequined + colored cocktail dresses, if you want to skip the white dress!
Book a Videographer
It is so important to hire photographers and videographers whose style compliments each other for your Long Island elopement. When you hire a photographer and videographer with different artistic visions, you will find that your day will not run as smoothly. Traditional videographers will have you posing over and over again - when the exact reason you hired me was for a documentary and candid style. I encourage you to not hire a videographer based solely on price - but hire someone who aligns with your photography team.
That’s why I offer recommendations for incredible videographers to all of my clients that I can vouch for. We work perfectly together, and all of our wedding days run smooth. The final delivery of your gallery and films reflect your true, candid, authentic self.
One of my top recommendations is MC Visuals!
If you are in need of a NYC elopement photographer who assists with timeline planning, vendor recommendations, and who captures all the in-between moments in a documentary style way, you can contact me here so we can get to planning your NYC elopement!
