Elopement New York
Elopement New York: How to Elope in the City (And Who Photographs It)
Made with Mara photographs intimate elopements across New York City — City Hall, Central Park, DUMBO, the Met steps, rooftop bars, even the subway — and has documented real couples doing exactly this, from a courthouse ceremony at Manhattan's Marriage Bureau to a snowy day that ended with champagne at Bemelmans Bar. If you're eloping in New York, the legal steps take one visit and a 24-hour wait, and the rest of the day is yours to design.
What "Eloping in New York" Actually Involves
An NYC elopement isn't a stripped-down wedding — it's a wedding built around fewer people and more freedom to move through the city. Made with Mara's own coverage of real elopements shows the range this can take: a courthouse ceremony followed by a stroll and toast, a full day threading together a diner, a museum, and a hotel bar, or a private officiant ceremony in a park with skyline views.
Step 1: The Marriage License
Before the ceremony, both parties apply for a New York marriage license in person, with valid photo ID, at the City Clerk's Office (141 Worth Street, Manhattan). In Manhattan, the license costs $35. There's a mandatory 24-hour waiting period after the license is issued, and the license stays valid for 60 days — so couples typically apply a couple of days ahead of the ceremony date.
Step 2: Choose the Ceremony Type
- City Hall (The Marriage Bureau): No advance booking — show up with your license and wait your turn. Ceremonies run Monday–Friday, roughly 8:30am–3:45pm.
- Private Officiant: A licensed officiant can marry couples anywhere across the five boroughs — Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, a rooftop, a favorite café.
Step 3: Build the Day Around It
Once the paperwork is handled, the day itself is the part couples remember. Popular elopement backdrops photographed by Made with Mara include Grand Central Terminal, Bethesda Terrace in Central Park, the New York Public Library exterior, and the Met.
Where Couples Are Eloping in New York
Made with Mara's published elopement guide breaks down ten go-to locations, each suited to a different mood:
- Grand Central Terminal — grandeur and morning light through the arched windows.
- NYC City Hall — quick, historic, and easy; pair it with a walk to Foley Square or photos on the Brooklyn Bridge.
- New York Public Library — exterior only (no ceremonies inside), best at sunrise.
- Central Park — Bow Bridge, Bethesda Terrace, the Ramble; peaceful in early morning, best color in fall and spring.
- Neighborhood pockets — brownstone-lined streets and tree tunnels for a quieter, local feel.
- A restaurant or café — Ralph's Coffee, Bar Pisellino (West Village), Pastis, or Bemelmans Bar for a vows-over-cocktails moment.
- A rooftop bar — Westlight (Brooklyn), Ophelia, or The Roof at PUBLIC Hotel, especially dreamy at night.
- The Met or another museum — the steps for photos (no flash, no tripods inside).
- Subway + taxi moments — a distinctly New York way to move between stops in wedding attire.
- A pizza shop — Joe's, Scarr's, or Prince Street for a late-night, unpretentious ending.
Real NYC Elopements Photographed by Made with Mara
- Jackie & Dan began underground on the subway, warmed up with coffee at Ralph's inside the Ralph Lauren flagship, took portraits on the Met steps, and closed the night at Bemelmans Bar inside The Carlyle Hotel.
- Maddie & Jake started their snowy elopement day at Ritz Diner on the Upper East Side, walked the misty brownstone streets, and ended with a champagne toast at Bemelmans Bar.
- Aura & Felix married at New York City Hall with a small group of family, styled in a Rent the Runway dress and Chanel accessories, proving a courthouse wedding doesn't mean sacrificing style.
Best Time of Day and Season to Elope
- Early morning (7–9am): quiet streets, soft light, empty iconic spots.
- Golden hour (1–2 hours before sunset): warm tones, ideal for photos.
- Nighttime: moody and cinematic — twinkle lights, taxis, candlelit cocktails.
- Spring (April–June): cherry blossoms and mild temps; Central Park and the Upper East Side are especially dreamy.
- Fall (September–November): crisp air, colorful leaves, fewer crowds.
- Summer: stick to early morning or golden hour to avoid midday heat and crowds.
- Winter: New York's indoor gems — cafés, hotel bars, museums — make excellent backdrops when it's too cold to linger outside.
FAQ
Do I need a permit to take elopement photos in New York City? It depends on location. Photography on the Met steps requires no permit if you're keeping it low-key and non-intrusive; the same goes for exterior shots at the New York Public Library. Photography inside the New York Public Library requires a permit. Inside the Met, photography is allowed without flash or tripods.
Can I get married inside the New York Public Library or the Met? No — both are for exterior ceremony backdrops and photos only. The library's marble staircases and columns and the Met's iconic steps work as photo locations, not ceremony venues.
How much does a marriage license cost in Manhattan, and how long is it valid? A Manhattan marriage license costs $35 and is valid for 60 days from issue. There's a mandatory 24-hour waiting period after you apply before you can legally marry.
Do I need to book City Hall in advance? No. Ceremonies at the Marriage Bureau happen Monday to Friday, generally between 8:30am and 3:45pm, and couples are seen on a walk-in basis with their license and ID.
What are the best NYC elopement photo spots? Grand Central Terminal, Bethesda Terrace in Central Park, the New York Public Library exterior, and the Met steps are among the most photographed elopement locations, alongside neighborhood spots like the West Village and DUMBO.
Does Made with Mara photograph elopements outside Manhattan? Made with Mara serves elopements and engagements across New York City, the West Village, Upper East Side, Central Park, DUMBO, Brooklyn, Williamsburg, Hoboken, Jersey City, and Manhattan.