Wandering a neighborhood is also fun for photos, and the East Village is a great spot for funky backdrops. Katie and Jean and I met up at Veselka where they had one of their first dates and then made or way down to City Hall from there.

There’s a fun mural along the side, and I love some good bike shots!

I’m always in for some fun street shots!

One of my favorite alleys for always completely random street art.

After a good walk through the East Village, we headed to the Clerk’s Office. It was busy this afternoon, and randomly took forever, but they ended up married and that’s all that matters!

While it’s true you can still only have witness inside, I’m happy to coordinate with guests who can wait for you outside and cheer you on! Confetti poppers for the win!

Cheers and congrats to Katie and Jean! Thank you for the most fantastic time!

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They arrived from the Cayman Islands and were staying near Madison Square Park where they had gotten engaged on a previous trip to NYC so we figured it would be fun to start our photos there the morning of their elopement. Madison Square Park is a fun photo spot, especially with the views of the Empire State Building and normally the Flat Iron Building as well when it’s not under construction.

The morning we met up it had been raining off and on, so I was slightly worried we would get wet, but the weather gods were on our side and everything cleared up as the day went on, hurrah!

We took full advantage of the city streets and skyline views of midtown and had a fun wander around the square before heading downtown to get married at the City Clerk’s Office.

I also loved their fun, casual wedding look! Laura got custom made sneakers for their wedding day and they looked super cute with her summer dress! Who says you need to wear white to get married?! Wear what you love and makes you happy and the photos will be great!

So, the 10 million dollar question… What are City Hall Weddings in NYC like during Covid??

I’ve now done a handful since the City Clerk’s Office in NYC reopened for weddings and I’m here to say, it’s great! And a bit different than before.

What is different about NYC City Hall Weddings after the Covid re-opening?

• You will need an appointment! You still need to get your marriage license beforehand, but you will also need to be sure to make an appointment for your city hall ceremony. Appointments can be made via their Project Cupid website. Also be sure to follow on Twitter, as new appointments being released are announced there.
• Make sure to be prompt for your appointment! This is ESPECIALLY true for the 3:45pm appointments. The office closed promptly at 3:45pm, so if you’re late, you will NOT be able to get married.

• The wait is almost eliminated. This is one of the great things about this new system. Whereas before you often had a long, unpredictable wait to be married at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau, now it’s almost always in and out in 15 minutes or so. The office is almost empty everytime I’ve been through with the appointments. You check in, sign your paperwork, and then get married in one of the two chapels. It’s quick and easy.

• You DO have to wear a mask and show proof of vaccination. While the clerks I have photographed with have allowed couples to take their mask off for the ceremony/kiss if they chose, you will need to wear a mask while everywhere else in the building.
• No large parties allowed. You are only allowed one witness. I’m happy to do this for couples, but just note no one else is allowed in. They can however await your exit with confetti outside if you like!

The City Hall backdrop is still there for any cheesy photo needs!

You can still make a grand exit if you like from the rear door. I’m happy to set up any cheering family or friends if you bring them along! Niall and Laura were traveling with just the two of them, but I made sure to give them a hearty round of applause as they left the clerk’s office.

Where should you go for photos after your City Hall Wedding? Laura and Niall picked two great spots! Chinatown is always a great option with loads of colorful backdrops. Laura had an awesome Just Married jacket to wear after the ceremony! I love all these lanterns that have been put up in Chinatown, they make the street wanders so fun for photos.

After Chinatown, we hopped across the bridge to Dumbo and Brooklyn Bridge Park. It’s a quick taxi ride, and makes for more colorful backdrops and some extra skyline to finish out the day!

You can’t go to DUMBO without a stop for the Manhattan Bridge on Washington Street.

We finished up photos on the waterfront and it was the perfect end to such a fun City Hall Wedding day! I’m so excited to start seeing more couples come to town for weddings as things continue to open up. If you’re looking for any information about how to elope in New York, be sure to reach out, or check out all my info on eloping in NYC or  NY Local posts. I’m always happy to help! Congrats to Laura and Niall and cheers to eloping in the city!

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It’s finally time! City Hall (aka the Manhattan Marriage Bureau or Office of the City Clerk) in NYC has re-opened its doors as of Friday July 23^rd for in person wedding ceremonies after being closed since March of 2020. I’m so excited this iconic office to once again be welcoming couples who want to get married.

What to expect at your In Person Wedding Ceremony at City Hall in NYC

I’ve been helping couples get married at City Hall in NYC for over a decade now and I’m so excited to be able to be back at my favorite government office building. However, due to the lingering effects of Covid, things are looking to be a bit different this time around. Here’s what you can expect after the reopening of City Hall for in person weddings in NYC.

You’ll Need to Make an Appointment

Unlike previously, when there were no appointments allowed and everything was first come first serve, now appointments will be required. You can book your appointment at: https://clerkscheduler.cityofnewyork.us/s/MarriageCeremony

There is an appointment every 15 minutes. Appointments are currently available a few weeks in advance. Be sure to check for cancellations if needed and book as soon as your date becomes available. **Please note, you will still need to complete your marriage license at least 24 hours before your ceremony, so make sure you get on Project Cupid well in advance to make sure your paperwork is in order before booking your marriage ceremony.

Is City Hall crowded for weddings?

Unlike in the “before times” when the line could stretch down the block and the office was wall to wall people, only 100 couples per day will be allowed to get married at City Hall. This is dramatically lower than before, so I expect there will be quite a backlog for a few months.

On the plus side, I have found that this usually limits the wait required. Whereas before you could expect at least an hour to get through the entire process, I have found most couples are getting through in about 20-ish minutes. I have had one couple have to wait at least 45 minutes, so do be prepared that it could vary.

After shooting a few weddings at City Hall since re-opening, I can confirm that the are virtually no crowds, as the office is almost entirely empty. You’ll be one of about 4-ish couples in the office at a time, so no worries about a crush of people.

Can I bring all my friends?

Unfortunately no, due to Covid restrictions, only one witness is allowed per couple. If you chose to have a photographer, I will be happy and honored to be your witness as always. I will let you know as soon as I hear if this restriction is lifted, or how flexible they are being in terms of children, etc.

Friends and family can certainly meet you at the exit for a confetti toss! I’m happy to coordinate this and have found it still works quite well!

How much does it cost for an in person ceremony at City Hall?

The cost of a City Hall Wedding in NYC will be the same; $35 for the license and $25 for the ceremony.

Will we have to wear a mask?

Yes, current rules state that couples must wear masks at all times, however may seal their vows with a kiss sans mask. Everyone entering the Clerk’s Office should also be vaccinated and will have to answer a health questionnaire to make sure they are showing no Covid symptoms.

Have more questions about getting married at City Hall? I’m happy to help! Shoot me an email and let’s work out the details!

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As we navigate this new landscape, many questions arose about weddings. There are so many couples that were planning weddings, whether large or small that have had to postpone plans. As big weddings and even many elopements postpone, as many of my clients come from abroad, others still want tie the knot for a variety of reasons. Previously this hadn’t been possible as you needed to get your marriage license in person from the City Clerk’s Office which closed in mid March. However, no longer!

For those couples that are looking to get married, NYC now has a solution, enter Project Cupid!

As Mayor De Blasio said, “We need moments of joy now more than ever, and we won’t let a pandemic get in the way of true love. To all of the couples looking forward to tying the knot, know that your city is right here with you, throwing rice from afar.”

As I mentioned, in the past, the only way to get a marriage license in NYC was to do so in person at the City Clerk’s Office. While the people watching at the Clerk’s Office is the BEST, it often could be a rather long wait. Now however, as we all do our best to practice social distancing, waiting over an hour in a crowded city office for your marriage license wasn’t going to be a possibility. As of this week though, starting May 8th, all couples can now apply to receive their marriage license online! Hurray!

How does the process of getting a marriage license online in NYC work?

*Updated as of mid September 2020*

 How do you apply for a marriage license in NYC online?

The complete step by step process for getting married and getting a marriage license online in NYC can be found on the Project Cupid Website. The City Clerk is issuing licenses through October online, and will be extending the process as needed. (It’s already been extended a few times).

To complete the process for getting your marriage license online in New York you will need to:

1. Complete your online application and receive your confirmation number.

2. Log-In with an NYC ID. (You can register for one online, or use a preexisting one.)

3. Get Verified online. This will entail answered some identifying questions, providing ID’s, and confirming your marital status.

4. Pay the $35 fee.

5. Schedule a virtual meeting with the City Clerk.

6. Upload your completed marriage license after your ceremony.

      What if the dates are all filled up for appointments with the City Clerk?

I have found the best way to keep track of everything going on with Project Cupid is to follow them on Twitter (@NYCClerk). They post regularly when they will be releasing new dates and when new dates become available. Also, I have been told people often cancel, so check back regularly as something may open up.

Do you have to get your license from the NYC City Clerk to get married in NYC?

No! And this is a strategy that’s been working for some couples during Covid. While you may not be able to get an appointment with the NYC City Clerk, I have had couples have success going in person to other city hall offices in Long Island, the Hudson Valley, or even in Westchester. As long as your license is issued by the State of New York, you can get married in NYC.

Can we still have a City Hall wedding ceremony?

As of right now, no. But you can have any other officiant marry you from the comfort of your home, or in the location of your choice. According to the executive order signed by Governor Cuomo, any licensed officiant can perform your ceremony via video conferencing like Zoom. Luckily, I regularly work with several licensed officiants who are more then happy to do remote ceremonies and are thrilled to be participating in Project Cupid! If you’re looking for a list to start with, check out my post on NYC Wedding Officiants.

Does your witness have to be in the same space as you?

No, your witness, officiant and you both can all be in safely in your own home or wherever you chose to have your ceremony.

Does that mean we can be anywhere in the world and get married virtually?

NO. This is important. All parties involved; the couple, the witness, and the officiant MUST be physically located in New York State during the ceremony.

Also, when registering for your marriage license, the couple must be in the same physical space in New York State.

What are the eligibility requirements for a marriage license in NYC?

Please see the City Clerk’s website here: Marriage License Requirements in NYC for more information.

What do you do once you’ve been married?

You can log back into the site and upload your license signed by you and the officiant.

What about virtual wedding photography?

I’m so glad you asked! This is where I come in! I’m offering a few different options for couples interested in having their elopement via a virtual wedding ceremony or socially distanced wedding ceremony in NY. Send me an email and I can go over all the details!

Socially Distant Photography Session: 

If you chose to have a small elopement, micro or mini wedding with you and your spouse in a location where I can photograph you safely, I’m happy to do so. I’ll be sure to be wearing a mask and following proper safety procedures.

I’m happy to talk with couples on the best solution for you to make sure your memories are documented in the best way possible! I’m so excited to have more happy couples in front of my camera again! Three cheers for LOVE!

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After making things official, we hopped in a cab across the river. Brooklyn Bridge Park is always a great spot for a photo session after a City Hall wedding since it’s so close by. It was a beautiful morning and we had fun strolling along the river front, enjoying the skyline views and then up through the streets of Dumbo for a bit more architecture and street art.

Congratulations Sioban and Paul! It was lovely to meet you both!

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When planning their City Hall wedding, Nicky and Sian opted to go for the late afternoon just before closing, which is something I often recommend and while of course the office is unpredictable, I’ve had great success with late afternoon in terms of wait times. In fact, these two got through so quickly, we had time to hop across the river for photos at the popular Brooklyn Bridge Park.

It was a gorgeous warm afternoon, and I couldn’t have been happier to spend the time with these lovebirds giggling in the sunshine.  Before we started, Nicky told me straight up she was “photo-phobic” and hated having her picture. My response? Do you two like each other? Yes? Of course. Ok, we’re good to go. Honestly, the amount of people that tell me this regularly, is, well basically everyone. My only requirement of couples that you and your partner love each other and then we’re good to go. If you enjoy spending time together, we can make beautiful photos, no questions asked.

Congratulations Sian & Nicky, I wish you every happiness!

Excited to plan your own simple City Hall Wedding? My Guide to City Hall Weddings is perfect to help you figure out how!

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Carly told me she loved the character of the Lower East Side and thought it would be a great neighborhood for photo backdrops. I couldn’t agree more! I love this area, it’s full of colorful murals, a fun alleyway, and lots of great NYC architecture. We started at her favorite store to pick up some snacks for City Hall, Economy Candy. I’d never been in here before, but what a fun place! If you’re into vintage sweets, this is your spot!

From there we wandered the streets, catching all the fun along the way. These two were up for any and all funny antics and I couldn’t get enough of taking photos of them both, they are the sweetest pair. After wrapping up portraits, we met their families at NYC City Clerk’s Office for their ceremony. Afterwards, Carly and Carlos exited their City Hall wedding to the most explosive confetti poppers I’ve seen (thanks to Etsy according to Carly) and it was awesome!

What a fantastic afternoon! Huge thanks to Carly and Carlos for being fabulous and huge congrats to you both!

Looking for more information on Eloping in NYC or how to get married in at City Hall?

Check out my NYC Elopement Guide or City Hall Wedding Guide for more information!

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After their ceremony and a eucalyptus leaf toss exit (so fun!) we headed to nearby Chintatown for wedding photos. I love this area for colorful fun photo backdrops and it’s just a quick walk from the City Clerk’s Office. (If you’re looking for ideas for where to take photos after your elopement, check out my guide to the best neighborhoods for photos after a city hall wedding!)

These two were up for all my crazy ideas and had each other laughing the whole time. After their City Hall wedding, they celebrated with family and friends at their favorite local bar, Norman’s Kil with grilled cheese, whiskey and ice cream cake. Isn’t that the coolest?

Congratulations Inslee and Adrian! You guys are the best!

Hoping to get elope at City Hall?

Check out my Guide to City Hall Weddings for answers to all your how to FAQ’s!

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Laura and Brooks met at an art show in Brooklyn and lived in the New York City for 6 years following. Now however, they call Minneapolis, Minnesota (three cheers for my homestate!) home, but came back to NYC to tie the knot. I met up with them at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau for their ceremony. It’s not super often I get huge groups at the City Clerk’s Office, but Laura and Brooks ran with a crowd and it was such great fun. Everyone was in on the excitement, complete with Laura’s mom sporting celebratory flags to the witnesses in their hilarious bejeweled hats. (And yes, in case you’re wondering, all of these things can be purchased at the store in the clerk’s office.) I also always love when parents are involved in elopements, and it was especially adorable to watch Laura’s dad beam as he walked her “down the aisle” to the desk to get married.

After they made it official, we headed outside for a few more portraits. When I asked Laura and Brooks where they wanted photos, Laura looked at the torn up road surrounding the City Hall and said, “Can we take them in the construction site?” I aim to please and these two were adorable.

Huge congrats to Laura and Brooks! Thank for being the most fun ever and I wish you both the very best!

Hoping to have your own City Clerk’s Office Wedding in NYC?

Check out my City Hall Wedding Guide for the all information you need to know before married!

Wedding Day Vendors:

Venue: Office of the City Clerk\Manhattan Marriage Bureau || Flowers:  Denise Fasanello 

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