ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE PLANNING A
NYC wedding
My name is Lukas, I am an elopement and wedding photographer. Ever since I visited New York for the first time, I had a deep connection with the city. It has been an absolute blast to work with amazing wedding couples and capture their love stories in New York City.
I created this wedding guide for all of you to give you a jumpstart when planning your wedding there. As one of the most vibrant cities on earth, there are so many things you need to know of you have never been there before.
Scroll down and learn all you need to know about your future New York City wedding.
WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO
GET MARRIED IN NEW YORK CITY ?
New York City is a romantic and energetic metropolis with countless wedding venues and high-rise views. If you are looking for one of the most vibrant places on earth, New York City is the perfect choice for your wedding or elopement.
Hosting a wedding in New York City also gives you access to everything the city has to offer, from top of the class dining experiences, trendy nightlife options, to easy public transportation or top wedding planners and florists.
You can find anything from sprawling industrial lofts, intimate restaurants with cozy backyards, to iconic public buildings and so much more.
THE BEST WEDDING VENUES IN New York CITY
The Gramercy Oark offers wedding spaces for intimate and romantic weddings. Their 18th century Gramercy Terrace features interior salons with 20th century artwork and a rooftop with an exterior garden area.
It is a perfect indoor and outdoor location with fully weatherized retractable glass and views of Manhattan.
This stunning wedding venue can host weddings with up to 120 guests for a seated ceremony or 160 guests for a cocktail-styled ceremony.
WEDDING VENUE NYC
Gramercy Park Hotel
Luxury BOUTIQUE HOTEL
WEDDING VENUE NYC
This Brooklyn Bridge waterfront retreat offers you and your wedding guests expansive views of the East River and Manhattan skyline. No matter what size of wedding you are planning, the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge probably has a perfect space for you.
The Meadow Rue is perfect for up to 300 guests and has a dance floor, the Blue Wood Aster features floor-to-ceiling windows that open towards the East River and accommodates up to 120 guests, and their Rooftop is perfect for outdoor weddings with a view of the Manhattan skyline.
They also offer catering and special packages, such as private yoga sessions for your bridal party, a special blessing ceremony, or a farewell breakfast.
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge waterfront retreat
The New York Botanical Garden is located in the heart if the Bronx, New York. This National Historic Landmark provides a scenic backdrop for weddings all year round. The pristine gardens, and elegant event spaces are a perfect option for a tranquil atmosphere amid New York City’s hustle and bustle.
You can enjoy an open-ceremony in the garden or rent the Garden Terrace Room as an indoor option. Other venues at the Botanical garden are the Stone Mill, the Hudson Garden Grill or the Conservatory.
Whatever season you choose to exchange vows, the venues flowers will enchant you. You can host weddings with up to 300 guests there.
WEDDING VENUE NYC
New York Botanical Garden
Garden wedding
Dobbin St, also called "The Blue Building“, is located in Williamsburg, one of New York City’s most desirable neighborhoods. This venue is situated near many great accommodation options for your guests.
The former warehouse space is known for its industrial-chic style featuring brickwork, polished flooring, raised ceilings and ventilation pipes.
The Rooftop Terrace is the perfect spot for exchanging vows in front of the stunning Manhattan skyline and the Hidden Courtyard is a cozy little outdoor patio space made to relax and rewind. This place can accommodate up to 275 guests on your special day.
WEDDING VENUE NYC
Dobbin St
Industrial-chic former warehouse
The Houston Hall is a hidden gem in New York City and perfect for wedding couples who don’t want the traditional hotel or ballroom venue.
This charming venue features high ceilings, exposed brick walls and skylights. You can get ready at the spacious, private dressing room that overlooks the hall.
The Houston Hall can accommodate up to 200 seated guests and its West village location is easy to reach for out-of town guests.
The natural lighting of the 5 skylights is perfect for stunning wedding photos.
WEDDING VENUE NYC
Houston Hall
Beer hall
Can you legally get married in New York City?
GETTING MARRIED IN NEW YORK CITY IS EASY FOR FOREIGNERS AND NON-U.S. CITIZENS.
As a non-U.S. citizen, there are around 4 easy steps to follow for a smooth wedding in New York City.
Check out these steps:
01
Make sure to check of our home country will recognize your marriage in the U.S. If you are already in the U.S., you can get the information at the next consulate.
The next step is to get a New York marriage license (click here for more information)
02
Get married anywhere in New York City, but make sure to have a New York ordained officiant to perform the ceremony and complete the paperwork.
03
If you are a foreigner, make sure to get the extended marriage certificate within five days of getting married in New York. (click here for more information)
04
And the most important thing that you need would be a photographer that captures the beauty of your wedding or elopement in New York City.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO GET MARRIED IN New York CIty?
The Spring Months
The beauty of the cherry blossom trees
If you want to avoid big crowds and love the feeling of spring, then late March is a good time for planning your big day.
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Central Park are especially stunning with their blooming of cherry blossom trees during late March and April.
You can also enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day parade at Fifth Avenue around mid-March.
Make sure to book an indoor location for your wedding day in spring, because it usually rains for around 7 to 8 days a month.
The Summer months
The Beauty of plenty of sunshine
If you love lots of sunshine and warm summer nights, you should definitely plan your New York City wedding in summer.
June, July and August are perfect months for a late-night outdoor dance party.
You can enjoy the annual Pride parade during late June and music festivals all summer long.
The weather is quite sunny, but it can rain up to 8 days a month, so make sure to have an indoor location as a backup on your wedding day.
The Fall Months
The beauty of autumnal colors
Fall in New York City is a good season for a wedding as it offers mild, comfortable temperatures, little rain and autumnal colors.
September, October and November are also known to be less touristy than the summer months, which makes photographing at iconic locations way easier.
These months are popular for marathon events and the New York Fashion week.
The WInter months
The beauty of Christmas magic
The winter months are perfect if you want wedding photos in a blanket of snow. This season is also less crowded and you can enjoy the Christmas decor all over the city during December.
Make sure to plan your ceremony early in the evening, as the days are shorter in the winter. You can enjoy the Bryant Park Winter Village, the Rockefeller tree lighting, the New Year’s Eve ball drop, SantaCon and the New York Fashion Week during this time.
It can rain up to 8 days a month, and together with low temperatures, we recommend an indoor wedding venue.
Best wedding planners in New York City
A Taylored Affair
01
How much does a wedding in New York CIty cost?
A Tailored Affair is an event planning company that is based in New York. Taylor, the founder of the company, has a unique knack for relating with her clients. She is always on the hunt for new hot spots and hidden gems. Taylor and her team can help you with absolutely everything from site selection and budgeting to menu planning.
One of the most asked questions by couples that are planning their New York City wedding is the costs!
There really is no honest answer to that as it also depends on what your wedding should look like?
The right question should be how much you really want to spend to make your wedding unforgettable.
No matter what your answer is, you can make your wedding day special no matter how much money you want to spend.
The average couple spends around 50K Dollars on their wedding in New York City. But keep in mind that this number includes over-the-top luxurious weddings, and you can always keep your wedding more minimalistic .
Events by Jesse
02
Events by Jesse is an event company founded by Jesse Ring, that offers full and partial wedding planning. Whether you have already booked some vendors for your big day or you don’t know where to start yet, Jesse and her team love to bring your unique vision to live.
Mixed Company NYC
03
Tara and her team love to do it all: from coordinating vendors and deadlines to graphic design and stationery. The Mixed Company will create an exceptional experience on your wedding day, no matter how small or big your wedding is. You want your big day to run seamlessly and carefree? Then you can count on Tara's 15 years of experience in creative direction, branding and managing events.
The Privilege Is Mine
04
Do you have questions about the costs for wedding photography?
The Privilege Is Mine is an alternative wedding planning collective of minds thinking out of the box. Their idea of your big day is that is does not need to be intimidating or traditional, but rather a celebration of the alternative and the unique ideas. They love to bring creativity and a touch of edge to your wedding day.
