Tying the Knot at NYC’s City Hall

Is the idea of eloping with a NYC City Hall ceremony your idea of a perfect wedding? With just a short to-do and a little bit of coordination, it’s a lot more straightforward than you might guess. If you and your partner have been considering it, here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect. 

Your first step is to head to the NYC County Clerk’s website to schedule two appointments. Both appointments can be made through NYC Cupid (formerly Project Cupid) and keep in mind that walk-ins are not permitted for either. 

The first appointment is to obtain your Marriage License which can be done in-person or online. In New York, there is a required 24-hour waiting period after you receive your Marriage License before you can have a marriage ceremony. However, your license expires after 60 days (180 if you are active military personnel) which leaves plenty of time to book your courthouse ceremony appointment. 

Once you have your Marriage License, your next step is to book your ceremony appointment for a fee of $25. Marriage ceremonies are only done in-person at City Hall during regular business hours and time slots open up three weeks in advance. As long as you’re prompt in scheduling as soon as the appointments are released, you should have no problem booking the date you want. You may just end up with an earlier or later time. 

On the day of your ceremony, you and your partner will need to bring the same identification you used for your Marriage License and at least one witness (also with identification) age 18 or older. (If you want, that can be me! 🙋🏻‍♀️) You can also bring up to 4 guests (including your photographer) to join you for the ceremony. Finally, while waiting for the ceremony room to be free can be the longest part, the ceremony itself is fairly short – sometimes as short as just 10 minutes! But even though it’s short, it will be filled with just as much love and devotion as a traditional marriage ceremony.

A Sweet and Simple City Hall Elopement

On the day of their ceremony, I met Christine + Nick at City Hall a few minutes before their appointment. After signing in, we had a little time to spare before their ceremony began. We put that time to good use by snapping a few cute shots of the two of them together in the waiting room. When it was finally their turn, Christine and Nick stepped in with just the two of them (and me, as their witness!) and made it official. The ceremony was brief and simple, but it was exactly what the two of them envisioned.

When they walked out of that courthouse, they were beaming. They celebrated the moment in true New York City style with a classic hot dog from a cart right outside City Hall. Afterward, we wandered the grounds around City Hall for a bit, taking full advantage of the neoclassical architecture of the building for some incredibly timeless photos. Finally, we headed down to the City Hall Subway Station for some iconic NYC photos on the subway platform with the trains moving in the background and even on the train itself. 

📸 Photographer Pro-Tip: Photos inside City Hall can be taken either before or after your ceremony, depending on wait times. Just keep in mind that once you leave the building, you won’t be able to re-enter so make sure you get everything you want before heading out!

Newlyweds Exploring Downtown NYC and the Lower East Side

What followed their ceremony was a lovely ode to Christine + Nick’s relationship. We hit all of their favorite places in the city, including a few that were extra special to them. From City Hall Station, we took the subway to Union Square. Christine + Nick headed to the Greenmarket where we shot some adorable candids of the two of them exploring the market stalls. After the market, we headed to Breads Bakery for lunch. Not only is the bakery one of the couple’s favorite spots in the city, but the whole bakery has a theme of true love which was perfect for their wedding day.

Refreshed after a delicious meal, Christine + Nick wandered through the park again until they hit The Strand bookstore. From there, they hailed a classic yellow cab to take across the city to the New York Public Library. Once we got there, we, of course, had to take some shots in the cab since nothing says NYC more than its yellow taxis. At the library, we took photos along the grand steps and the famous lion statues out front for some truly memorable portraits. Photography isn’t allowed inside the library, but the stunning exterior of the building more than holds its own. 

Finally, after a full day spent stopping by their favorite corners of the city, Christine and Nick ended the evening with a small, intimate reception with their parents and siblings. It was the perfect end to a beautiful day celebrating the thirteen years of love and an even bigger adventure ahead. 

Are you dreaming of a NYC City Hall wedding?
I would love to be your photographer!

Hey there! I’m Rachael Crowe of OkCrowe Photography. I’m a wedding photographer based here in New York City, but just say the word and I’m more than willing to travel anywhere you need to capture your big day. Whether you’re planning a city hall elopement or an international getaway, it’s always an honor to play a small role in a couple’s love story. Reach out through my contact form for quotes and availability.