I’ve had lots more couples as of late opting for a Brooklyn City Hall wedding rather than the Manhattan City Clerk’s office, so I figured I definitely needed to get a post up to outline a few more details about the process across the river. Is an elopement at Brooklyn City Hall for you?
First off, did you know you can get married in the city clerk’s office in any borough? That’s right! Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens and the Bronx each have their own marriage office. The most popular two choices are the Manhattan City Clerk’s office at 141 Worth Street and the Brooklyn City Clerk’s Office at 210 Jorelemon Street.
How is a Brooklyn City Hall wedding different than Manhattan City Hall wedding?
If you’re opting for a city hall wedding in NYC, it’s likely you’re looking for a low frills experience in terms of the ceremony. (If you’re looking for a guide to getting married at city hall in NYC, check out my New York City Hall Wedding Guide.) The ceremony in both offices is the same, about 30 seconds to a minute. You confirm you wish to marry your spouse, exchange rings if you chose, and then end with a kiss.
The main differences between a city hall wedding in Manhattan and city hall wedding in Brooklyn are primarily aesthetic. The Manhattan City Clerk’s office has been outfitted to look nicer in photos. You have the fancier light fixtures, the iconic green couches, the cheesy city hall photo backdrop photo opp and a place to buy all kinds of souvenirs and flowers. The Manhattan marriage bureau has two different ceremony rooms, one in purple with pink flowers and one in pink with pastel stripes.
The Brooklyn City Hall wedding office definitely has a more government office feel. When you enter the building, it’s a larger government building and you’ll need to go up to the second floor. From there, follow the signs to the City Clerk.
You will still need an appointment like you do in Manhattan. All appointments can be made online via Project Cupid. Inside the office, there are black plastic chairs and no fancy fixtures. You get a ticket just like in Manhattan City Hall and wait for your number to be called.
I have found that the Brooklyn office on average tends to be slightly quicker, although my last few Manhattan City Hall weddings have gotten through the office very rapidly. The Brooklyn office in my experience is always MUCH less crowded than Manhattan, there’s usually only a handful of couples inside. Once your number is called, you sign the paperwork with a clerk behind a window and then wait for your ceremony in another room of plastic chairs.
Once it’s time for your ceremony, you’ll be called by name into the ceremony room. Unlike in Manhattan, there is only one space. It’s fairly large, with benches along the back wall and a colored glass mural up front. The couple stands on a small platform with the officiant.
After the ceremony? While there is no door with a staircase for a confetti toss, you can head across the street in the plaza with the courthouses for the same effect!
One of the main bonuses in my opinion of a wedding at Brooklyn City Hall? Proximity to awesome backdrops! The location of the Brooklyn City Clerk’s office is right next to Brooklyn Heights, which is a beautiful neighborhood full of gorgeous brownstones and quaint streets. It’s also walking distance to the Brooklyn promenade, which has sweeping views of the downtown Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge. From there if we have time, you can walk down to Brooklyn Bridge Park for even more epic views without even having to worry about hailing a cab. (Alternatively, if you aren’t up for a walk, you can easily grab a cab down to the waterfront from the clerk’s office).
If you’re looking for something different for your City Hall wedding, perhaps give Brooklyn at try. Or if you’d rather stick to Manhattan, Brooklyn is always a quick cab ride away!
Looking for more information on how to elope in New York? Check out my guide to NYC elopements!
