New York City Hall Elopement: Planning, Tips, & What to Expect
Table of Contents
What Is a New York City Hall Elopement?
How to Elope at New York City Hall
What a City Hall Ceremony Feels Like
How Many People Can Attend a City Hall Elopement?
Can You Bring a Photographer to City Hall?
Real New York City Hall Elopement Photos: Angela & Ryan
What to Wear for a New York City Hall Elopement
What Happens After the Ceremony?
New York City Hall Elopement FAQs
Making Your New York City Hall Elopement Your Own
A New York City Hall is one of the most meaningful ways to get married in the city! It’s a way of getting married that keeps the focus on the two of you, without the pressure of performing a big wedding or following traditions that don’t fit. For couples who value intention over expectations, City Hall offers a wedding experience that feels personal and intimate!
In this guide, I’m walking you through everything you need to know about eloping at NY City Hall, from the legal logistics to what the day actually feels like. You’ll also see how Angela and Ryan planned their own New York City Hall elopement, weaving together locations like The Hotel Chelsea, Grand Central Station, and City Hall into a day that felt thoughtful true to them. I photographed their day using a mix of digital and film, and also documented it on Super 8, which added an extra layer of nostalgia and movement to their story.
If you’re considering eloping in NYC and want clarity, not confusion, you’re in the right place!
What Is a New York City Hall Elopement?
A New York City Hall elopement means getting legally married through a civil ceremony performed by a city clerk at the New York City Clerk’s Office. It’s short, straightforward, and legally binding, but what surrounds it is entirely up to you!
Some couples arrive, say their vows, and head to dinner. Others turn the day into a full experience, starting with getting ready together, exploring the city, and celebrating in ways that feel special to them.
Angela and Ryan chose to get ready at The Hotel Chelsea, explored Grand Central Station for portraits, exchanged vows at City Hall, and ended the day with an intimate dinner at Sartiano’s with family and friends. The result was a day that felt relaxed, intimate, and so intentional!
How to Elope at New York City Hall
Eloping at City Hall is actually pretty simple, but there are a few steps that need to happen first before you can say your “I do’s”.
Step One: Apply for a Marriage License
Before anything else, you and your partner must apply for a New York marriage license. You can apply online or in person through the NYC City Clerk.
- Both partners must apply together
- The marriage license fee is $35. The fee is non-refundable.
- After receiving your license, there is a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before your ceremony
- The license is valid for 60 days (except for active military personnel, for whom the validity runs for 180 days).
Because appointments can fill quickly, it’s best to secure your marriage license as early as possible in your planning process!
New York City Clerk Office Locations for Your City Hall Elopement
When planning a New York City Hall elopement, it’s important to know that the city has multiple City Clerk offices where marriage licenses and civil ceremonies take place. Couples can choose from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, or the Bronx.
Angela and Ryan married at the Manhattan City Clerk, and each office follows the same legal process and appointment system!
City Clerk Office Locations
Manhattan City Clerk
141 Worth Street
New York, NY 10013
Brooklyn City Clerk
210 Joralemon Street, Room 205
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Queens City Clerk
120-55 Queens Boulevard
Kew Gardens, NY 11424
Bronx City Clerk
851 Grand Concourse, Room B131
Bronx, NY 10451
Contact Information & Office Hours
If you have questions about your New York City Hall elopement, marriage license, or ceremony appointment, the City Clerk can help:
Phone: Dial 311 within NYC or 212-NEW-YORK from outside the five boroughs
Email: https://www.nyc.gov/main/forms/contact-cityclerk
Mail:
The City Clerk, Clerk of the Council
Executive Office
141 Worth Street
New York, NY 10013
City Clerk office hours can change, so I always recommend checking the official website for the most up-to-date locations and hours before your visit.
Step Two: Book Your City Hall Ceremony
All in-person appointments for marriage licenses, marriage ceremonies, and other services must be scheduled through Project Cupid, the City Clerk’s official system.
You can also schedule a virtual appointment for your marriage license through Project Cupid. Many couples choose this option to streamline planning before arriving in New York!
- Walk-ins are not accepted
- The City Clerk releases ceremony appointments ahead of time, and they fill quickly.
- The ceremony fee is $25
- You must bring at least one witness who is 18 or older
The ceremony itself is short, usually just a few minutes, but it’s still meaningful. You’ll exchange rings if you choose, sign your license, and leave legally married!
What a New York City Hall Ceremony Is Actually Like
City Hall ceremonies are calm, quick, and very intimate. You’ll pass through a quick security check, wait for your name to be called, and step into a small ceremony room with your officiant, witness, and guests. There’s no aisle, no music, and no formal seating.
How Many People Can Attend a City Hall Elopement?
City Hall weddings are intentionally small. At the time of writing, couples with a scheduled marriage ceremony may bring up to four guests, including their witness. In some cases, the City Clerk may also allow a limited number of children age 12 and under.
Guest policies can change, so if having loved ones present is important to you, I always recommend confirming the most up-to-date guidelines when booking your appointment. Many couples choose to keep the ceremony intimate and plan a larger get together with family and friends afterward.
Can You Bring a Photographer to City Hall?
Yes! You can bring a photographer to your New York City Hall elopement (hey, that’s me), and I truly believe it’s one of the most important decisions you can make.
While the ceremony itself is short, the day surrounding it is full of moments you’ll want to remember. From getting ready together to walking through the city and soaking in the quiet moments after you’re married. Those are the moments that tell the real story!
When I photographed Angela and Ryan, I approached their day with a documentary, editorial mindset, which is very much the style of photography that I lean into. I let things unfold naturally while creating imagery that still feels intentional and timeless.
If you’re looking for a New York City Hall elopement photographer, I’d love to talk! You can inquire here. 🙂
Real New York City Hall Elopement Photos: Angela & Ryan
Getting Ready at The Hotel Chelsea
Angela and Ryan started their day at The Hotel Chelsea which was filled with history and soft, natural light. The morning felt calm with no strict timeline, just space to be present. This is exactly why I love elopements.
Angela had a beautiful bouquet made entirely of lilies, chosen intentionally to honor their daughter, Lily. It was a simple detail, but one filled with so much meaning!
Portraits at Grand Central Station
After getting ready, we headed into the city for portraits at Grand Central Station. The architecture, movement, and light make it one of the most iconic locations for NYC elopement portraits (a photographers dream!)
Instead of forcing poses, we focused on connection. Walking together and taking in the beauty that is Grand Central Station. This part of the day felt cinematic but relaxed, balancing documentary storytelling with an editorial edge.
Angela & Ryan’s New York City Hall Wedding Ceremony
City Hall was the next stop. After checking in and waiting briefly, a clerk called Angela and Ryan in for their ceremony. It was quiet, emotional, and simple. Within minutes, they were married. Afterward, family and friends greeted them outside City Hall!
An Intimate Post-Ceremony Dinner at Sartiano’s
After their New York City Hall elopement and portraits around the city, Angela and Ryan gathered with their closest family and friends for an intimate dinner at Sartiano’s. It was the perfect way to end the day, sharing great food, toasts, and conversation in a setting that felt elevated but still personal!
What to Wear for a New York City Hall Elopement
There are no rules for what you should wear for your New York City Hall elopement. Some couples choose traditional wedding attire, while others opt for modern, fashion-forward looks that feel more like themselves.
I always recommend wearing something you feel comfortable and confident in. You’ll likely be walking, standing, and moving throughout the city, so your outfit should allow you to be present, relaxed, and allow for movement. Pinterest is a great place to find and save ideas!
For inspiration, Angela and Ryan kept their looks classic and effortless. Angela wore a sleek, modern gown with soft veil that moved beautifully throughout the city, while Ryan chose a timeless black tux. Their outfits felt cohesive, personal, and very New York! It was a great reminder that your City Hall elopement look should feel like you first, and photograph beautifully everywhere the day takes you.
What Happens After the Ceremony?
After your New York City Hall wedding ceremony, you’ll receive documentation confirming your marriage. Many couples choose to order additional certified copies later for things like name changes or legal paperwork.
From there, the rest of the day is yours. Whether that means champagne back at your hotel, dinner at your favorite restaurant, or exploring the city together, you get to decide how the day continues!
New York City Hall Elopement FAQs
To elope at City Hall, you’ll apply for a marriage license, wait 24 hours, and book a civil ceremony appointment through the NYC City Clerk. On the day of your ceremony, you’ll arrive with your IDs and witness, complete the ceremony, and leave legally married!
A marriage license costs $35, and the City Hall ceremony costs $25. Additional expenses like photography, attire, florals, and activities afterward are optional.
You’ll need a valid marriage license, government-issued photo IDs for both partners, at least one witness over the age of 18, and a confirmed ceremony appointment.
City Hall allows a limited number of guests to attend the ceremony. At the time of writing, couples with a scheduled marriage ceremony may bring up to four guests. In some cases, the City Clerk may also allow a limited number of children (age 12 and under.) Because policies can change, I always recommend confirming current guest limits when booking your appointment!
Yes! Couples don’t need to be New York residents or U.S. citizens to get married in NYC. Couples from anywhere in the world can legally elope at any New York City Hall.
City Hall ceremonies use a standard civil script, so couples don’t usually include personal vows during the ceremony. Many couples choose to exchange private vows before or after the ceremony instead.
To get married in NYC, both partners need valid, unexpired photo identification. This typically includes a passport, U.S. driver’s license, or another government-issued photo ID. If you don’t have one of these forms of identification, you’ll need to contact the Office of the City Clerk directly for guidance before your appointment.
New York requires one witness who is at least 18 years old. Your witness must be present during the ceremony and sign the marriage license!
Making Your New York City Hall Elopement Your Own
If you’ve made the decision to elope at City Hall, trust that choice! A New York City Hall elopement isn’t about cutting corners or skipping meaning. It’s about stripping things back to what matters and letting the day unfold in a way that feels honest to you!
What I love most about City Hall elopements is how much space they create. Space to move through the city together. To notice the quiet moments between the big ones. To celebrate without rushing from one obligation to the next.
Angela and Ryan’s day is a perfect example of that. From getting ready at The Hotel Chelsea, to wandering through Grand Central Station, to standing side by side at City Hall, nothing felt forced. It was intentional and perfectly intimate.
As you plan your own City Hall elopement, let yourself lean into that same freedom. Build a day that feels grounded and personal. Choose locations that mean something to you. Focus on connection over perfection. New York will do the rest!
Meet Bri – Your New York City Hall Elopement Photographer
Hi, I’m Bri! I’m a Las Vegas-based photographer with a deep love for documenting meaningful days in incredible places. While I call the desert home, I’m always ready to hop on a plane and photograph cities like New York! A New York City Hall elopement feels fitting to me because it blends intimacy, history, and real life unfolding all around you.
My approach to photography is a mix of documentary, editorial, and cinematic storytelling. I focus on honest moments that let you relive your day exactly as it felt, from getting ready before your ceremony to the party that follows. I create space for things to unfold naturally while stepping in to guide you when it matters, so nothing ever feels stiff or over-posed.
Having recently planned and experienced my own wedding, I truly understand what it feels like to be in your shoes. I know how much intention goes into planning, how quickly the day moves, and how important it is to feel supported. That experience shapes the way I show up for my couples — calm, prepared, and fully invested in making sure you feel comfortable and taken care of throughout the day!
You’ve found the right New York City Hall elopement photographer if you want images that turn everyday moments into art and if you care just as much about the in-between as the big milestones. I can’t wait to document my next NYC elopement, whether it’s at City Hall or somewhere beyond it. If you’re planning a day that feels true to you, I’d love to be part of it.
You can see my wedding packages here or get in touch with me here so we can get to know each other better!
