So you’re thinking of eloping… Maybe you got overwhelmed with how many people to invite to your wedding. Maybe the cost of having a wedding and serving 200 people dinner was more than you imagined… Maybe you just wanted a day just for you and your partner to celebrate in your own way without any drama. Whatever the reason you’re deciding to elope? I’m here for it! Your wedding should be about you and your partner! I’m an elopement photographer in New York who has helped hundreds of couples from around the globe elope in NYC here are my top five reasons why you should elope in New York.
Non-traditional weddings are becoming more and more popular, and as someone who got my start with more off-beat weddings, I love seeing this trend! Couples are realizing they can do their wedding in their own way, whatever versions of traditions make sense for them. It’s awesome!
There are SO many options for locations to elope around the US and around the globe. While I 100% think many of these spots are amazing, (seriously, I will book my ticket tomorrow if you want me to join you for your elopement in the Dolomites, Patagonia or Costa Rica or an Alaskan glacier or really wherever you like!) but if you’re considering NYC for your elopement, there are tons of reasons why it’s an amazing elopement locale and why I have specialized as an elopement photographer in NYC for the past dozen years.
Top 5 Reasons why you should Elope in NYC!
1. Eloping in NYC is Easy, Quick and Stress-Free!
New York knows that bringing elopement couples to the city is great for tourism and as such they want to make it as easy as possible for marrying couples to elope in our great city. The only thing you absolutely HAVE to do? Get a marriage license 24 hours before you hope to get married. You can even get your license online! You’ll need an appointment to review your paperwork and verify your identity, which you can find here: NYC Project Cupid. Got your paperwork? You’re good to go.
You can have your ceremony to get married in New York City either at the City Clerk’s Office or outside in another location. Then you’re done! No long waiting period, no need to translate documents if your home country is English speaking. The process is very straightforward and you can have your marriage license the same day if you get married at the clerk’s office. If you get married elsewhere your marriage license will be mailed to your home address.
2. Eloping in NYC has so many options for wedding ceremony backdrops and many of them are free!
There are SO many great spots to elope in NYC! There are elopement ceremony locations in New York to suit every interest. Where to elope in NYC? The sky is the limit. Most places also do not require a permit making it very simple and low cost to elope in New York. If it’s a public space, it’s generally open to a small elopement. I’m happy to make suggestions, but to get the ball rolling I have done elopements in Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Staten Island Ferry, a pier on the Hudson River, Gantry Park, Top of the Rock, neighborhood gardens, random street corners in the West Village, Prospect Park or Coney Island. I have a list of some of my favorite spots on my blog here: The Best Spots to Elope in NYC.
3. Eloping in NYC offers a variety of photo opportunities!
You can have a variety of looks for your NYC Elopement photos. Looking to share those epic NYC elopement photos on social media or bring them home in an album? From acres of green park space, to playing in ocean waves, riding carnival rides, street art, soaring skylines, brownstone blocks or cobble stone streets. There are so many different vibes to NYC and we can capture all or a few depending on what kind of look you want for your elopement photos in New York.
4. New York is inclusive!
NYC is open to everyone! NYC prides itself on diversity and couples of every background, orientation, and gender identity can be married here. I have had several LGBTQ couples from countries where their wedding couldn’t happen come to NYC to be married. While I hate that these couples can’t be married in their home countries, I’m so happy to help them through the process of getting married in a city that welcomes all unions.
5. If you elope in NYC, you’ve got a ready made honeymoon all set!
Want to stay in town for some of the best romantic dinners you can imagine or take a helicopter over the city? Check! Head to the beach in the Hamptons or go wine tasting in North Fork or the Hudson Valley? Done. Explore cute towns with adorable main streets? Hiking from a cozy cabin in the Catskills or Adirondacks? All easily doable as day trips or a weekend after your New York Elopement! Up for more adventure? Jump in a cab to JFK or LGA and head wherever in the world your heart desires.
