So you’re thinking of eloping in New York but want to know how much to budget? I’ve got all the info on how much it costs to elope in NYC!
As couples are planning their wedding, one of the main questions folks have is cost. There are a multitude of reasons couples decide to elope. I know one of the main reasons couples consider eloping over a large wedding is cost related. While elopements and weddings of course run the gamut for price, I’m here to say that you can, in fact, elope in New York and not entirely break the bank. Eloping in New York is a great way to get married and not spend a down payment on a house on your wedding day.
What you spend on your New York is really up to your personal preferences and how you want to spend your day. Like dining in New York, you can have an awesome food truck and you can have a 20 course experience, and everything in between. How you plan your day is a discussion with your partner about what you deem most important. However, there are some expenses you can figure out in advance to plan your elopement budget.
For the purposes of this post, I’m going to outline the baseline costs for eloping in NYC. There is always the option to embellish and add on where you like. Want to take a helicopter right and dine at the best restaurants in the world? Go for it. Would you rather elope at City Hall and just do photos for a bit outside, that’s great too! An elopement is YOUR day. You should do what makes you happiest.
The basics… how much does it cost to actually just elope in New York?
The Marriage License: $35
The first thing you need to have is the license. That’s the only you thing you actually have to have to get married. A New York marriage license is $35 and available from any of the City Clerk’s Offices in all 5 boroughs. The most common place to get yours is the Manhattan City Clerk’s Office at 141 Worth Street. To apply for a license, you need to go to the Project Cupid website for the Marriage Bureau. You can get your license in person or virtually.
It should be noted that you can actually get a marriage license from offices anywhere in New York State, but take note if you go for this option, it’s going to take a bit of extra time to process the paperwork at City Hall.
Wedding Ceremony at City Hall: $25
If you opt for a ceremony at one of the City Clerk’s offices you’ll need to pay a fee of $25. This includes the ceremony that is about 30 seconds and you’ll receive your marriage license in hand as you exit. It’s as no frills as you can get, no personal vows are allowed. You can exchange rings if you like, but you don’t have to.
If you’re going basic, these are the only two costs you have, a license and the ceremony. However, if you’d like to add a few more bells and whistles, here’s what you can expect.
Wedding Officiant: $500+ (Some will offer a lower cost for just signing your paperwork)
If you’d looking to get married outside of City Hall, the main thing you’ll need is an officiant. This professional will perform your ceremony and is registered with the city to complete your paperwork to make it official. Most officiants offer a range of prices depending on how involved you’d like them to be. Just want a city hall style ceremony but in Central Park? Great! Your rate will likely be a bit cheaper than if you want someone to help you through personal vows and readings for your elopement ceremony. I happy to match you with officiants to fit a range of budgets, styles and customizations, so don’t be afraid to ask!
New York Elopement Photography: $875+
My elopement rates as a top NYC Elopement Photographer with over a dozen years experience, begin at $875 for an hour of coverage. This is generally enough time for a ceremony and then photos at your chosen location, whether that be City Hall or elsewhere in the city. Included with my pricing is editing, sneak peeks, scouting locations, timely delivery of your galleries and an expansive, expert knowledge on eloping in the city. Want to go more then one location? Take a tour of iconic spots in the city for photos? Maybe add on getting ready photos or some toasts at dinner? Let me know what your dream photo situation is and we can figure out the best timeline!
Permits/Admission Ticket $25+
Permits for weddings are variable and based on a number of factors, but mainly location and number of guests. If it’s just you and your partner and an officiant? You can get married pretty much in any public place in the city for free. If you’d like to reserve a popular spot in Central Park there’s a small permit fee of $25 or for example, to get married on the Top of the Rock we will need tickets to get up to the deck, but otherwise you’re good to go! The only place in Central Park I shoot elopements where you’d absolutely need a permit to get married is the Conservatory Garden. Other public places you can usually get away with a quick ceremony with a guest or two. I’ve done elopements in loads of different parks throughout NYC, the Staten Island Ferry, Brooklyn Bridge or a street corner in the West Village. The sky is the limit and most places are free of charge. Don’t be afraid to try an off the beaten path locale. If you’re worried about permits or if somewhere would work well for an elopement, let me know your location and I can find out what we need.
Flowers: $20-$150+
Flowers have a huge range for price, as you can get a $10 mini bouquet from Whole Foods, do your own from flowers from stems by Trader Joes or a local bodega, you can have a florist make a professional arrangement for you or anything in between. Prices fluctuate with kinds of flowers, the season, and for bouquets vs boutonnieres, etc. I have lots of local florists who are happy to make something beautiful to meet your needs and can deliver it to you on your wedding day!
Hair/Make-Up: $300+
There are loads of options for Hair and Make-up in the NYC, whether you want an artist to come to you or if you go to a salon. I have lots of recommendations for great Hair/Make-up Artists who can come to your hotel and help you get ready for your day!
Anything else? For elopements you can always splurge on hotels, fancy meals, private cars, etc. However, you can also get hitched at City Hall or Central Park and do everything well at a reasonable cost. How much you spend on your New York Elopement is up to you and there are options to fit every budget! If you have questions, don’t be shy! I love helping couples plan their perfect NY Elopement! Check out my NYC Elopement Photographer page for all the details.
