New York City Hall Wedding: The Ultimate Guide
So you are thinking about having a New York city hall wedding — congratulations! Having a city hall wedding gives you the flexibility to either elope with your partner, have a micro wedding with close friends and family, or even host a large reception party afterwards! Here are all the logistics you need to know on how to have a New York city hall wedding.
New York City Hall Wedding Planning
Step 1: Book vendors
The first step is to secure any vendors you would like to have at your city hall wedding. If you are wanting a small elopement you may only want a photographer. I would suggest booking your elopement photographer 6-9 months out, depending on the date and which photographer you’d like to hire.
If you’d like to have a small reception afterwards, you will want to book reservations or a private room about 1-3 months prior. Again, this will depend on the size of your party and what you are envisioning. A larger reception will require a bit more planning upfront. You can work with me as your New York City hall wedding planner and I will take care of everything!
Hair, makeup, and floral are common for both elopements and micro-weddings. If you’d like to hire these specialities out I would suggest booking these about 3 months out from your desired date. However, for floral, if you would like decor for a reception afterwards, you will want to reach out about 6-9 months out to ensure availability.
Step 2: Receive your marriage license
The next step is to obtain a New York marriage license online through Project Cupid, or you can schedule an appointment to get an in-person license at the Marriage Bureau. Please note that in-person licenses and the actual ceremony don’t take place at the typical “City Hall” address rather at “Office of the County Clerk - Marriage Bureau.”
Both in-person and virtual marriage license appointments are released regularly every Thursday at 9am EST sharp. It can be competitive so be sure to be prepared. Appointments are typically released two weeks in advance of the date.
If you are going to an in-person appointment, it costs $35 payable by credit card or money order, you both need some form of valid photo ID (like a passport or driver’s license), and you must obtain the license at least 24 hours before getting married. Licenses are valid for 60 days.
Step 3: Schedule your ceremony
Similarly to how you obtained an appointment for your marriage license, you must now book an appointment for your in-person City Hall ceremony. In-person ceremony appointments are released every Monday at 9am EST sharp.
Keep in mind if you are looking at holiday weeks, it may be harder to secure the date you have in mind. If you’d like to have more reassurance, I suggest booking either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Use this as an excuse to take a day or two or heck a week off work and enjoy!
Photography by Pat Furey Photography
New York City Hall Wedding Day
Arrive at the Office of the County Clerk - Marriage Bureau early
Head to the Manhattan Marriage Bureau. If you’re planning on getting married in another borough like the Brooklyn City Hall, the process will be the same. Be sure to show up at the City Clerk 30 minutes prior to your confirmed time. Couples are currently allowed three guests to come with them (your photographer being one of them), and one of them must also serve as witness.
The Marriage Bureau opens at 8:30am, and on busy days (typically Friday) there may be a line of people already queueing up at the entrance before doors open. If this is you, just hop in the queue and wait for security to let you in. One thing to note is that there is a bathroom inside, however there are no drinking fountains. I suggest bringing a bottle of water for the wait. There’s typically a hot dog and beverage cart right outside for you to purchase drinks as well.
There is also a flower stand right outside if you’re looking for a small, simple and affordable bouquet.
Photography by Pat Furey Photography
Next, is the least romantic part of the day. You will go through security which has a metal detector and then you’ll obtain a waiting number at the reception desk.
Have your New York City marriage license processed
When your number is called, you will be directed to a numbered podium. You, your fiance(e), and your witness will all need to go. You then will need to hand over your marriage license and government-issued photo IDs. Your witness will also need to show their ID. Then both of you and your witness will need to complete the marriage license in front of the clerk.
Photography by Pat Furey Photography
Wait to be called for your marriage ceremony
After completing your marriage license with the clerk, you need to wait for your number to be called a second time. When it is, if you’re at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau, you will hand your completed marriage license to the Clerk at Podium 5 and proceed to a smaller antechamber in the back, and wait again for your name to be called. At this point you will no longer need any IDs or documents. There are two wedding ceremony rooms; you will not get to choose which one, but they look almost identical.
Get married!
There will be chairs or benches along one side to put down any bags or coats, and the Clerk will be standing behind a podium. The City Hall ceremony is very short – only a few minutes so try to take it all in!
Photography by Pat Furey Photography
Manhattan City Hall vs. Brooklyn City Hall
Not sure whether to have your wedding at the Manhattan or Brooklyn City Clerk’s Office? They’re only 2.5 miles apart, but there are a few difference to both:
Manhattan City Hall Wedding
141 Worth Street
New York, NY 10013
Open Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 3:45pm
Pros:
It’s more picturesque and comfortable. The Manhattan branch has green couches, gold accents and chandeliers, while the Brooklyn branch has plastic chairs and glass at their counters where you do paperwork. Manhattan has two chapels in pastel colors, compared to Brooklyn’s blue-and-yellow glass mosaic background.
You can get a last-minute bouquet if you need it.
You can do a staged wedding exit, if you’d like. It’s not an uncommon thing to find people staging a festive wedding exit at the Manhattan branch.
Brooklyn City Hall Wedding
210 Joralemon Street, Room 205
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Monday through Friday, 8:30am – 4pm
Pros:
The wait is frequently shorter.
Brooklyn has slightly longer hours.
Brooklyn’s ceremony room is larger than Manhattan’s. If you have a bigger guest list, you can fit more people at the Brooklyn location.
Photography by Pat Furey Photography
Recommended Vendors for a New York City Hall Wedding
Whether you want just a simple bouquet and boutonniere or want to book a reception dinner afterwards, I have a list of local vendors who I highly recommend!
A few of those vendors are:
Photographers:
Florist:
Venues/Restaurants:
If you’re looking for extra support for a New York City Hall wedding I can provide you with all the guidance and coordination you would need. Send me a message here and let’s chat about your big day!
