A Spring NYC City Hall Elopement
Anne-Claire + Benjamin
Anne-Claire + Benjamin
Ever since New York became part of my dream as a photographer, I had always wanted to photograph a City Hall elopement in Manhattan. So when Anne-Claire and Benjamin told me they would be traveling to NYC at the same time as me to celebrate their marriage, I immediately said yes to photographing their ceremony.
The Manhattan Marriage Bureau, part of the Office of the City Clerk on Worth Street, had been on my photography bucket list for years. I had dreamed of its vintage interiors, green sofas and famous yellow door (now brown, sadly). With all of Lower Manhattan waiting outside as a backdrop for portraits afterwards. It was everything I had imagined.
GETTING MARRIED AT THE MANHATTAN MARRIAGE BUREAU
We started the day at the Office of the City Clerk. After going through security, Anne-Claire and Benjamin checked in, took a number and we settled onto the green sofas in the hall while we waited for them to be called.
The process on the day is actually quite simple. Once their number came up, there were a few final documents to check and sign before we made our way toward the ceremony rooms. Only a small number of people can be present for the civil ceremony, with up to four adult guests currently allowed at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau, including your photographer and witnesses. The ceremony itself was very short. After exchanging their vows and wedding rings, Anne-Claire and Benjamin were officially married within just a few minutes.
Getting to that moment took a little longer than expected, though. It gave me time to photograph them during those quiet moments of anticipation, take in every detail of a place I had dreamed of photographing for years, and imagine what it would be like to come back here every week to document couples getting married in New York. One day, maybe!
If you're planning your own City Hall wedding in New York, there are a few things worth knowing beforehand. Couples first need to obtain a New York State Marriage License, which gives them legal permission to marry. The license is signed as part of the marriage process. And when the ceremony takes place directly at the City Clerk's Office, couples receive their Certificate of Marriage Registration that same day. The official City Clerk website is always the best place to check the current process and requirements before planning your ceremony.
JUST MARRIED IN NEW YORK
Once married, we spent a few more minutes photographing around the hall before heading outside for their just-married exit. Anne-Claire and Benjamin had chosen to elope in New York without friends or family joining them, so it was up to us to celebrate them properly. They immediately called their loved ones on FaceTime to share the news before we set off through Lower Manhattan for the second part of our morning together.
WEDDING PORTRAITS IN LOWER MANHATTAN
I had planned a walking route through the Financial District so we could spend around 45 minutes to an hour making photographs without losing too much time between locations.
One of the best moments wasn't planned at all. As we passed the courthouse, a security guard congratulated Anne-Claire and Benjamin and invited them to take a few photographs on the steps. It was such a kind gesture and gave us the chance to use the building's impressive architecture as a backdrop.
From there, we crossed Centre Street and stopped by the Brooklyn Bridge subway station. We then continued past St. Paul's Chapel toward Fulton Street and Broadway. Anne-Claire and Benjamin had one very New York photograph on their wish list: eating a hot dog together in the middle of the city. Obviously, we had to make it happen.
We eventually made our way toward Pine Street for the final photographs, surrounded by the architecture, yellow cabs and constant movement of the Financial District. Having a route prepared beforehand meant we could explore several parts of Lower Manhattan within a relatively short session... while still leaving plenty of room for spontaneous moments along the way.
I also captured some of these moments on 35mm film, bringing a little extra nostalgia to our morning in New York.
Curious about my approach to film photography? Explore it here →
GETTING MARRIED IN NYC WHEN YOU LIVE ABROAD
Our morning ended at Conwell, a coffee shop and bar in the Financial District, where Anne-Claire and Benjamin met their planner again to take care of the final paperwork.
For couples traveling from abroad, getting legally married in New York may involve additional administrative steps after the ceremony so that the marriage documents can be used in their home country. Anne-Claire and Benjamin chose to work with a planner who handled the administrative side of the process for them. Requirements vary depending on your country and situation, so this is something worth researching in advance and discussing with your planner or the relevant authorities when preparing your own wedding abroad.
Planning your civil wedding?
Kind Words From Anne-Claire & Benjamin
"Julia photographed our elopement in New York, and we couldn't have been luckier! We were quite nervous about the session because we're not very comfortable in front of the camera. But Julia knew exactly how to put us at ease and made the whole experience incredibly fun and enjoyable. The result is beautiful. We were so emotional when we saw the photographs and we're incredibly happy to be able to share them with the people we love. We trusted her completely, and the result went far beyond anything we could have hoped for. Julia is a true artist." — Anne-Claire & Benjamin
Looking for more wedding inspiration?
Discover more real celebrations and stories on the Journal, or get in touch if you're planning your own civil wedding.
Looking for more wedding inspiration?
Discover more real celebrations and stories on the Journal,
or get in touch if you're planning your own civil wedding.
