NYC Elopement Photographer and Videographer
Your complete guide for planning your New York City elopement!
New York City is one of the best cities in the world to elope, and it’s full of so many epic spots to say vows and celebrate your love! In this blog you’ll find location ideas for vows, info on City Hall weddings, things to know and helpful info, romantic ideas of how to spend your day together, and my favorite wedding dress showrooms!
Things to know before you elope in New York City:
If you want more privacy and less people in photos, plan to do a sunrise elopement. This is the time of day that has the least amount of people.
Some locations in parks etc. require a permit. Central Park’s is only $25, and it takes 30 days for them to process and give you the permit.
Spring and fall are the best times of the year to elope. Ideally late April through early June, and late September through early November.
If you’re looking for an officiant, I recommend you contact Officiant NYC.
Keep in mind rush hour traffic. Whether taking a cab, bus or subway, people rushing to and from work in the mornings and evenings is something to be aware of when it comes to travel times. It’s best to give yourself plenty of time to arrive as transportation easily and often run behind.
Embrace changes and the unpredictable. This is just as important when eloping as when you’re having a traditional wedding. In this city, you never know what might happen… and you might just be surprised in the best of ways!
How to plan an NYC wedding at City Hall
If you’re wanting to do a City Hall wedding, and want to go to a beautiful spot to privately say your vows either before or after, click here for the official New York City information! The cost is $25 for a City Hall ceremony. You also must wait 24 hours after getting your marriage license before you can do the ceremony, so make sure you get that in order first.
Best places to elope in NYC
Elope in Central Park
Conservatory Garden - My personal favorite place in the whole of Central Park! There are 3 separate areas of this garden, including private pathways, fountains, and beautiful flowers. This place is a hidden gem, and you see more locals than tourists here. This is Central Park’s only formal garden, spanning six acres with Italian, French, and English style sections.
Bethesda Terrace and Fountain - One of the busier spots in Central Park, but for good reason! This is a gorgeous spot to say “I do!”. It’s most crowded on weekends and evenings.
Bow Bridge - Classically romantic, this spot is frequented by many people getting engaged or saying their vows. It’s most crowded on weekends and evenings.
Manhattan Elopement
Grand Central Terminal - Historic, dramatic, and surprisingly romantic for a quick elopement ceremony in the middle of the city’s bustle. Plus the building itself is absolutely dreamy!
Jefferson Market Garden - A lovely garden in Greenwich Village. Perfect for a private and intimate moment! Click here for more info.
On the steps of the New York Public Library (main branch) - Steeped in elegance and romance, this is a beautiful place to say “I do”!
Morningside Park - Lesser known than Central Park, but beautiful and intimate, this is a great spot if you want to say your vows in a nature setting.
Brooklyn Elopement
Pebble Beach - My personal favorite view of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge! My favorite time of day to visit is a little after sunrise, however, golden hour and sunset is also beautiful here! Nearby there are historic brick roads, an old carousel, and some walking paths.
Prospect Park’s Concert Grove Pavillion - A 19th century iron and wood pavilion with a stained-glass skylight. Beautiful and romantic!
DUMBO - This is such an epic spot, but you will be contending with a good amount of tourists and photographers. The best time to go is for sunrise to avoid the crowds. However, it would also be kind of epic to say “I do” with a crowd of witnesses! If you’re not a wildly private person, this would be a fun spot!
The Peristyle at Prospect Park - This colonnaded architectural gem (built in 1905 by McKim, Mead & White) is a designated NYC landmark and part of Prospect Park's history, and it would be a perfect place to say your vows. It provides a graceful, open-air sanctuary for elopements, with beautiful classical lines and historic ambiance.
Brooklyn Heights Promenade - A beautiful spot along the water with views of Manhattan. This is a go-to spot for elopements in Brooklyn.
Romantic things to do in NYC for couples
You’ve said your vows and your officiant has pronounced you as married. Now what??
Whether you want to celebrate solo, or have me tag along and take photos, here are some ideas of things to do and places to go:
If you’re staying in a gorgeous hotel, take some getting ready photos for a night out on the town. Then do a few portraits in the lobby before grabbing drinks at the fabulous hotel bar. Most hotels will let you have photos taken so long as you’re a guest - just be sure to ask when you go to book!
Become kids again and take the subway to Coney Island! Have fun indulging in tasty treats and going on rides!
Ride the subway and get lost in your own little world! Image the epic shots of you in your elopement attire! If you want something truly classy, go to Grand Central and hop on the train there!
For fashion loves who maybe want an editorial flare, SOHO is the best neighborhood to explore!
For romantics who want to feel like they stepped into a scene from You’ve Got Mail, you’ll adore the West Village!
For the adventurous world travelers, Chinatown is an absolute MUST! It truly feels like stepping into another place and time.
For the nature lovers, spend the day exploring Central Park! Lounge on a blanket and have a picnic, ride bikes during golden hour, explore the northern portion of the park that so many people miss.
When it comes to your NYC elopement wedding dress…
One of the best things about this city is anything goes! There is so much creativity and so many unique styles and ideas! You could go in the direction of comfortable and highly functional, but you could also have fun with it and wear a dress that oozes drama and elegance.
Some of my favorite bridal designers with showrooms in NYC are Cinq, KYHA Bride, and Rime Arodaky.
Why you should hire a 35mm film wedding photographer NYC…
-Film is a timeless art form, and there are few things as iconic as NYC shot on film!
-This is a real moment, frozen. The light that touched someone’s face is the same light that changed the chemistry of the film. It’s literal. A digital camera can only recreate what it thinks it sees.
-Unlike a lot of editing styles and presets that photographers use, this isn’t a trend that you’ll look back on and regret. It’s authentic and true-to-the-moment!
I specialize in shooting elopements on film, and also include digital photos, video postcards by my husband, and a beautiful photo book with the written story of your day.
To learn more New York City elopement packages click the button below…