One day
in New York
Follow a real City Hall wedding, from the waiting room to a photobooth on the Lower East Side.
Ben & Joana · July 2026
Ben and Joana wrote to me two days before their wedding. They are Austrian, and getting married in Austria is difficult, so while they were in New York they decided to make it official here.
This is their day, in the order it happened. Or skip to more elopements.
Office of the City Clerk
The waiting is the long part of a City Hall wedding, and it is where some of the best photos happen. Green benches, a bouquet, a few quiet minutes before their names were called.
Office of the City Clerk
“He was also our witness, which meant so much to us.”
Ben Flying in on your own? I can sign as your witness at no extra charge.
On the way out
The ceremony itself is often under five minutes. Then the doors open and you walk out married.
Worth Street
The steps outside, straight off the contact sheet. Tap a frame to see it full size.
Lower Manhattan
Financial District
A slice at the most famous pizzeria in New York, in a tux and a black dress.
World Trade Center
Lower East Side
The Old Friend photobooth, then the side streets of the Lower East Side until the light ran out of the day.
The Film
“It never felt like an appointment. It felt like friends walking around the city creating something magical.”
Dylan
More elopements
Read 5 full City Hall and elopement days
The edit
Drag the photo to compare the file straight out of my camera with the finished edit. Every photo in your gallery comes in both colour and black and white.
See how I edit
Your day
Investment
5.0 from 72 five-star reviews · See them on Google · 15 years behind the lens
Every elopement includes a plan for the day with timings and spots · me as your witness if you need one · every photo in colour and black and white · your own guide to the day · a private online gallery to share and order prints from
Standard
$600
Most popular
Extended
$800
Full Story
$1,000
Custom
Want less than an hour, more than two, or something the packages don't cover? Tell me what you want and I'll put together a price for your day.
Plan a custom dayCity Hall Questions
Yes. New York requires at least one witness who is 18 or older, and plenty of couples fly in without one. I have signed the certificate before and I am glad to do it again. Just tell me when you book so we plan for it.
Yes. The Brooklyn office is in the Municipal Building at 210 Joralemon Street, Room 205, open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4pm. After the ceremony we walk to Borough Hall, the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and DUMBO for portraits, all on foot. Every package works the same way in Brooklyn. Check the City Clerk website for current hours before you book a slot.
Yes, it is easy to add. Tell me your ceremony time and I will plan a quiet first look into the day before you go in.
The ceremony is short, often under five minutes. The waiting is the long part, and it is also where some of the best photos happen. An hour covers the wait, the ceremony, the confetti outside, and portraits in the streets right around City Hall. Book longer if you want the walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, a stop uptown, or a change of clothes.
Yes. You apply through the Office of the City Clerk. The license is $35, the ceremony is $25, and New York law requires a 24-hour wait between the license and the ceremony, so most couples do the license the day before. Check the City Clerk site for current rules before you travel, since fees and appointment systems change.
This is the part couples underestimate. The tiled arcade and the colonnade at the Municipal Building are a few steps away, City Hall Park is across the street, and the Brooklyn Bridge and the Oculus are a short walk. Couples have also taken the subway uptown in their wedding clothes, stopped at Grand Central, and had a slice at Joe's Pizza. I will bring a plan, and we can throw it out if the day goes somewhere better.
We shoot anyway. There is covered architecture all around City Hall, and rain hands you the arcade, the subway, a diner window, and an umbrella. It has never cost a couple their photos.
Yes. A rooftop, a restaurant, a courthouse in another borough, or a ceremony with twenty people in a park all work the same way. Send me what you have in mind on the booking form and I will tell you honestly whether I am the right fit.
Testimonials
"Dylan was amazing to work with. He is an expert photographer but also very helpful in helping us navigate the court house process and explaining what to expect. It would have been very intimidating without his help! Dylan was professional, innovative in his ideas for photos, and just a great person and fun to be around. We couldn’t be happier that he was part of our day!"
Scott
"Dylan was a wonderful addition to our elopement at the Brooklyn Courthouse. He was kind, genuine and a fantastic photographer for our big day. The pictures turned out absolutely amazing and we had a great time taking them with him. He also served as our witness which was very helpful. Thanks Dylan!"
Isabella
"I could not recommend Dylan enough, he was a pleasure to work with and produced great photographs for my elopement. The booking process and payment process was all very easy. Dylan is great with communication, nice to chat to and made me feel comfortable throughout the session. He tells you how to pose which helped us a lot! Thanks Dylan"
Kayti
"We had a wonderful time shooting with Dylan for our courthouse wedding ceremony! Dylan was very communicative throughout the entire process and the photos turned out fantastic. Would highly recommend working with Dylan to capture any special moments!"
Mikayla
"Such an incredible experience! Dylan made our wedding day even more special. We instantly connected with him, which made us feel completely at ease, and he effortlessly captured the magic and emotion of one of the most important days of our lives. He was also our witness, which meant so much to us. Looking through our photos lets us relive every emotion from that day."
Ben & Joana
"I cannot express how happy I am to have found such an amazing photographer who isn't only helping you capture the best moments of your life, but someone who's so talented, creative, patient and professional. Thank you Dylan!!! I would recommend to anyone looking to capture some great photos!"
Patricia
"Couldn't have had a better experience with Dylan! He was so patient, professional and flexible. It was easy to communicate with him, and he guided us through the best photo spots. The finished pictures were amazing. I would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a photographer in NYC."
Alvaro
"Awesome photographer that really captured the moment for us. Very happy with his service and would recommend."
Carlos
"We couldn't have asked for a better photographer! From the very beginning, you made us feel comfortable and made it so easy to trust you with our wedding day."
Daisy
"Most amazing photographer!! Dylan captured so many special moments perfectly and his editing of the photos are to die for!"
Tara
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