NYC City hall wedding

a complete guide to having a new york city hall wedding

NYC City Hall wedding packages that include everything you need to get married, whether you’re envisioning an intimate day for two or a microwedding for 50.

How to have aN NYC city hall wedding

1. Get an NYC Marriage License

The first step is to obtain a New York marriage license, which can be obtained via appointment through Project Cupid. Both in-person and virtual marriage license appointments are released regularly every Monday at 9am EST sharp, three weeks in advance, so drop a calendar reminder and be prepared to start refreshing your browser.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting a marriage license in NYC. In short, it costs $35 (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. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you should confirm that NYC wedding licenses are valid in your country — a quick call to your consulate should clear this up.

If you are planning to obtain a license through a virtual appointment, here’s a guide to booking a virtual marriage appointment.

2. Schedule your in-person City Hall ceremony appointment

Like you obtained an appointment for your marriage license, you must now book an appointment for your in-person City Hall ceremony. Remember that your ceremony appointment must be at least 24 hours after obtaining your marriage license.

3. Show up at NYC City Hall at your scheduled in-person ceremony time

Now that you’ve obtained an in-person ceremony appointment, show up at the City Clerk 30 minutes prior to your confirmed time.

Couples are currently allowed four adult guests to come with them (your photographer being one of them), and one of them must also serve as witness. A “limited number” of children under 12 years old are also allowed to attend.

How to get married at New York City Hall

4. Have your NYC 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 (e.g. driver’s license, passport). 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.

5. Wait to be called

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 basically look almost identical.

6. Get married and head out to celebrate!

When it’s your turn, the Clerk will call your name and you and your guests will go into the wedding room. 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. Go up to the podium, place your rings on the podium, hold hands with your beloved and try to take it all in. The City Hall ceremony is very brief — literally 30 seconds or less — and then you’ll be married. Now it’s time to head out into the city to celebrate!

“From the very first interaction to the final delivery of our stunning photographs, every aspect of our experience was nothing short of exceptional.”

– Leslie & Christian

All NYC City Hall wedding packages include:

PLANNING

I aim to do a little more heavy-lifting with the planning so you can fully relax and enjoy the day-of. During our initial Zoom one-on-one, we’ll collaborate on vibe, aesthetic, logistics and everything in between. Once we’ve got the plan mapped out, I’ll put together an itinerary for you to sign off on before we make it official.

PHOTOGRAPHY

We’ll tell the story of your day, start to finish. I’ll guide you through recommended locations, timelines and considerations depending on your vision.

OPTIONS FOR ADD-ONS

For a truly stress-free experience, you can add on additional services like hair & makeup, flowers, videography, a Zoom livestream, wedding albums and more. I will act as point-person so you don’t have to juggle multiple vendors.

Starting at $2,550

NYC City Hall Wedding FAQ

The Manhattan Marriage Bureau Office is located at 141 Worth St. This is where you can apply for your license and also have the ceremony performed. Other boroughs have different locations.

Yes, you must reserve an appointment for an in-person ceremony at City Hall. You can book your appointment online at Project Cupid. Appointments are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:45 PM, excluding 12-1pm. Note that the Marriage Bureau currently releases appointments 3 weeks in advance. Typically Fridays are the busiest days.

Ceremonies are quite brief in that they are over in about one minute, but you are welcome to linger in the room a bit after for photos.

Overall, you should be in and out of City Hall in roughly 30-60 minutes, depending on the backup.

A couple can have up to four adult guests join them (this includes the photographer). A “limited number” of children under 12 years old can also join, and are not counted towards that 4-guest maximum.

Yes, I’m happy to do so, and I’ll also be able to photograph your wedding too!

Absolutely. All of my packages include additional location options to take photos around the city, and I’m happy to make recommendations after we chat and I can get a sense of what aesthetic you’re envisioning.

Of course! I’ve photographed elopements at picturesque places around the city — all you need is a licensed officiant to perform the ceremony. I offer both full-service New York elopement packages with officiant and photographer, or just elopement photography — see more info on my NYC elopement packages.

Yes! New York has been legally wedding same-sex couples since 2011 when the Marriage Equality Act was passed. I am more than happy to photograph any kind of couple getting married.

Yes! Whether you want just a simple bouquet and boutonniere, need a makeup artist to show up at your hotel at 6am, you can add on talented local vendors with my add-ons.

Good question! There’s pros and cons for each location. I’ve written a guide to choosing between Manhattan and Brooklyn City Hall (complete with photos!) which might help you decide.

“Her attention to detail, ability to capture natural moments, and overall warm energy made our wedding day even more special.”

– Keely & Myles

Meet Jocelyn, your NYC wedding photographer

California-born and New York-bred, I’m an NYC elopement photographer who’s helped hundreds of couples plan a stress-free and completely personalized New York City elopement since 2015.

Let me make it easy for you. Take back your nights and weekends from pulling together vendors, comparing locations and researching restaurants. My NYC elopement packages include everything you need to get married: photographer, ordained officiant, and wedding planning assistance. Every recommendation will be built on what’s important to you for a completely custom, no regrets experience.

HOW WE WORK TOGETHER