How to Get Married in New York City: Your Guide to the NYC Marriage License + Private Wedding Experience
Planning a wedding in NYC? Here’s how to get your New York marriage license at City Hall — plus how to create an stress-free, stylish wedding day with our professional officiants and photography team.
Why Couples Choose New York City for Their Wedding
New York City is one of the most exciting places in the world to say “I do.” Couples fly in from across the globe for the iconic backdrops, the buzzing energy, and the ease of planning a wedding that’s both meaningful and simple.
But here’s what many couples don’t realize: while the marriage license process happens at City Hall, your wedding day experience doesn’t have to. Instead of a rushed two-minute courthouse ceremony, you can get legally married with a license from the City Clerk’s office, and then celebrate with a personalized ceremony led by a professional officiant and captured beautifully by a photography team.
Step 1: Getting Your NYC Marriage License
Before your wedding day, you’ll need to obtain a New York marriage license. Here’s how it works:
Where: Apply at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau (141 Worth Street) or any other borough’s City Clerk office.
How: Complete the online application (Project Cupid) before you arrive, then finalize it together in person. Or, apply entirely in person when you’re here.
What You’ll Need: Valid photo ID (passport for international couples), and $35 (credit card or money order).
Validity: The license is good for 60 days (180 for active military).
⚠️ Important: You’ll need to wait 24 hours after the license is issued before you can have your wedding ceremony.
Step 2: Skip the Courthouse Ceremony
A lot of couples assume that once they have their NYC marriage license, they also need to book a City Hall ceremony. The truth? You don’t.
Instead of a 2-minute, scripted exchange in a crowded office, you can choose a private wedding experience that’s designed around you. That’s where we come in.
Step 3: Your Wedding Day With Pop-Up Vows
Once your marriage license is in hand, your real wedding day begins. Here’s what working with us looks like:
Professional Officiant Services
Our officiants are legally registered with the City Clerk and can perform your ceremony anywhere in New York. That means your vows can happen in:
Central Park at golden hour
A Brooklyn rooftop with skyline views
The beach on Long Island
A chic garden or boutique hotel
No rushed courthouse lines, no generic script — just a personalized ceremony that reflects your story.
Wedding Photography
Your marriage license makes it legal, but our photographers make it unforgettable. From intimate portraits to candid moments, we’ll capture your day in a way City Hall never could. Think editorial shots, dreamy candid frames, and iconic NYC backdrops.
Content Creation Add-Ons
Want trending reels, TikTok-worthy transitions, or behind-the-scenes snippets to share instantly? Our content creators deliver same-day sneak peeks so you can relive the magic in real time.
Step 4: Celebrate Your Way
After your personalized ceremony, the city is yours. Couples often:
Toast with champagne on the Brooklyn Bridge.
Take photos in Central Park or Times Square.
Head to a rooftop bar or fine dining restaurant for a post-ceremony celebration.
This is the beauty of skipping City Hall — you get the legal marriage license process done, but your wedding day itself feels like you.
Why Choose This Route Over a City Hall Ceremony?
Privacy & Personalization: Instead of being one of dozens of couples lined up in a government office, your ceremony is tailored to your love story.
Iconic Locations: The whole city becomes your wedding venue.
Professional Experience: Our officiants, photographers, and creators show up like it’s their best friend’s wedding — capturing every detail with care.
Memories Over Minutes: Your wedding isn’t over in two minutes; it’s a full experience, designed to be celebrated and remembered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we still need to go to City Hall?
Yes — but only for the license. Once you have it, you can skip their ceremony and have us officiate your wedding anywhere in NYC.
Will our marriage still be legal?
Absolutely. Your license makes it official. As long as your officiant is registered (ours are), your wedding is 100% legal.
Do we need witnesses?
Yes, you’ll need at least one witness over 18. We can provide one if you’re traveling in without guests.
What if we’re coming from abroad?
We work with many international couples. Just bring your passports for the license, and check with your home country about whether you’ll need an Apostille for recognition abroad.
Final Thoughts
Here’s the bottom line: The New York marriage license process happens at City Hall. That part is unavoidable. But the actual wedding day — your vows, your photos, your celebration — doesn’t have to be squeezed into a two-minute ceremony in a crowded office.
With Pop-Up Vows, you get:
Guidance through the NYC marriage license process.
A professional officiant to craft and perform your ceremony.
A photo and content team to capture your story beautifully.
✨ You handle the paperwork. We handle the magic. ✨
💡 Planning your NYC wedding? Get your marriage license at City Hall, then let us bring your day to life. Reach out today to book your officiant + photography package and start planning your unforgettable New York wedding experience.
