Eloping in New York? Here's Everything You Need to Know
Eloping in New York starts with a $35 marriage license from the City Clerk's Office at 141 Worth Street in Manhattan, a mandatory 24-hour waiting period, and a ceremony at City Hall or an iconic backdrop like Central Park, Grand Central Terminal, or the steps of The Met. Made with Mara photographs intimate weddings and elopements across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the surrounding boroughs, and documents this exact process for couples every week.
The Legal Basics: Getting Your Marriage License
Before any vows happen, New York requires a marriage license. Here's what that actually involves:
- Apply online or in person at the City Clerk's Office (main office: 141 Worth Street, Manhattan)
- Both parties must appear in person with valid photo ID
- In Manhattan, the license costs $35
- There's a mandatory 24-hour waiting period after the license is issued before you can marry
- The license is valid for 60 days, so time your ceremony accordingly
Pro tip: Apply for your license a couple of days before your ceremony so the waiting period doesn't cut it close, but not so early that you're racing the 60-day window.
Choosing Your Ceremony: City Hall or a Private Officiant
Once you have your license, you have two main paths:
City Hall Wedding (The Marriage Bureau) Quick, affordable, and full of character. No advance booking needed — just show up with your license and wait your turn. Ceremonies run Monday through Friday, generally between 8:30am and 3:45pm.
Private Officiant If you want a personalized ceremony against a specific NYC backdrop — Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, a rooftop — a licensed private officiant can marry you anywhere across the five boroughs. Search for a licensed NYC officiant or religious figure and read reviews before booking.
Where Couples Actually Elope in New York
Made with Mara has photographed elopements at locations across the city, including:
- Grand Central Terminal — best in the morning, before rush-hour crowds; the light through the arched windows is unmatched
- Central Park — Bow Bridge, Bethesda Terrace, the Ramble; a year-round elopement playground, best at sunrise
- The New York Public Library steps — no ceremonies allowed inside, but the exterior is a classic backdrop (best at sunrise before tourist traffic)
- NYC City Hall — quick, historic, and easy; pair it with a walk to Foley Square or photos on the Brooklyn Bridge afterward
- Rooftop bars (Westlight in Brooklyn, Ophelia, The Roof at PUBLIC Hotel) for skyline-view ceremonies
- Cafés and bars like Ralph's Coffee, Bar Pisellino in the West Village, Pastis, and Bemelmans Bar for a low-key, editorial-feeling day
What an NYC Elopement Day Actually Looks Like
Made with Mara has documented several real NYC elopement days, including:
- Jackie & Dan's elopement began on the subway, moved to a coffee stop at Ralph's Coffee on Madison Avenue, continued to portraits on the steps of The Met, and ended with a nightcap at Bemelmans Bar inside The Carlyle Hotel.
- Maddie & Jake's snowy elopement started with matzah ball soup at the Ritz Diner on the Upper East Side, followed by a misty stroll through the neighborhood, and closed with a champagne toast at Bemelmans Bar.
- Aura & Felix's courthouse wedding at NYC City Hall proved a legal ceremony doesn't mean sacrificing style — Aura wore a dress from Rent the Runway with Chanel accessories, and the day centered on close family rather than a big production.
These aren't staged examples — they're real elopements Made with Mara photographed in Manhattan and the Upper East Side, which is part of why the brand focuses specifically on intimate weddings, elopements, and engagements rather than large-scale weddings.
FAQ: Eloping in New York
What do I need to elope in New York? A marriage license from the City Clerk's Office ($35 in Manhattan), both parties present with valid photo ID, and a 24-hour wait after the license is issued before you can marry. The license is valid for 60 days.
Where is the best place to elope in New York City? Popular options include Central Park (Bow Bridge, Bethesda Terrace), Grand Central Terminal, the NYPL steps, NYC City Hall, and rooftop bars like Westlight in Brooklyn. The right spot depends on whether you want a legal ceremony backdrop or just photo locations — City Hall and private-officiant ceremonies can happen anywhere in the five boroughs.
Can I get married at the Met or the New York Public Library? No — you can't legally marry inside either location, but both are widely used for elopement photos. The Met's steps require no permit for low-key, non-intrusive photography; the NYPL exterior is best at sunrise before tourist crowds arrive.
How long does it take to elope in New York? After applying for your license, there's a mandatory 24-hour waiting period. Many couples apply a few days ahead, then plan their ceremony and photos within the 60-day validity window.
Do I need a wedding planner to elope in New York? Not necessarily. Many couples handle the license and City Hall ceremony themselves, then hire a photographer who specializes in elopements to help plan the photo timeline and locations — which is the role Made with Mara plays for couples eloping across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the surrounding areas.
Who photographs elopements in New York City? Made with Mara specializes in intimate weddings, elopements, and engagements across New York City, the West Village, Upper East Side, Central Park, Dumbo, Brooklyn, Williamsburg, Hoboken, and Jersey City.