3 Tips to Planning an EPIC NYC Elopement
Eloping in New York City is electric! Anyone who has ever eloped in New York City can tell you that there is an unmatched energy in this city. Whether you’re a born and bred New Yorker, visiting from another state, or an international tourist, getting married in NYC is unlike anything you have ever or will ever experience. PERIOD.
Photo: Wandermore Photography • Venue: Top of the Rock • Officiant: Once Upon A Vow
Rain or shine, sleet or heat wave, this city is a playground for urban adventurers, city lovers, foodies, and cultural enthusiasts. Maybe you’ve visited before and knew you HAD to get married here or NYC has been on your bucket list of places to visit and thought to yourselves, “hey, we might as well make our NYC adventure, an unforgettable ride of our lives!”
Either way, follow these three tips to plan an EPIC NYC elopement.
Get married in an iconic location.
New York City is home to countless iconic locations that have graced TV and movie screens for-like-ever. You have quite an overwhelming list of iconic locations to choose from and it’s usually free or a minimal expense compared to booking a venue for a large wedding, which means you can dream BIG, baby! Whether you get married in the idyllic Bethesda Terrace in Central Park during peak blossoming spring, on the steps of the majestic New York Public Library in the summer, overlooking the city on the Brooklyn Bridge in the Fall, on the observation deck of Top of the Rock during the magical holiday season, or some electric place in between - we can promise you that the location is part of what makes your elopement incredibly special.
Choose a wedding officiant who brings stellar vibes
This feels like a plug and honestly, it is! However, this is also incredibly true! We’ve been marrying couples for a decade and have heard horror stories from those who’ve attended weddings as guests. The most common faux pas range from mispronouncing names and officiant no shows to off the rail lectures about matrimony that don’t resonate with the couple’s values. Eww. But most often, we hear of the dreaded boring, unpersonalized wedding ceremony that feels all kinds of dated.
Trust us when we say that you want your wedding ceremony to be memorable in the BEST WAY possible. After all, it’s the day your marriage begins and the day you’ll look back on in good times and in bad. A wedding officiant you connect with who brings excellent vibes will make the day (regardless of stressors) feel exciting, fun, and incredible. Future you will thank you!
Hire a kickass photographer to capture the magic
You need a talented photographer you feel comfortable with to capture the memories so you can look back on the day you gallivanted all around the city as newlyweds! Besides, you’ll want to share those memories with your loved ones so they can feel like they were there too. Not all photographers are created equal so make sure to choose someone who fits your vision and energy. We personally lean towards fun, laid-back, candid photographers with an eye for documentary-style photography who gently guide you along the way. You want a photographer who knows the city well and will lead you from upper Manhattan to Dumbo and back depending on the NYC adventure of your choosing.
These are our top three tips for planning an epic NYC elopement, but our bonus tips are to dress appropriately for the weather (ahem…winter couples) and consider wearing or bringing comfortable footwear. As bilingual wedding officiants based in NYC and Boston, we specialize in bringing ALL THE FEELS for a fun wedding ceremony you’ll treasure and have lots of advice to share to make your NYC destination elopement or microwedding a unforgettable ride of your life!