UPDATE 2020! Mary has relocated to Toronto, Canada. You can find information about Canadian weddings at ElopeToronto.com I'm keeping this blog because I've been told it's very helpful for couples in New York! If you need a wedding officiant in New York or Toronto, email me at MaryBeaty (at) gmail (dot) com, and I'll try to help. Best wishes! Stay safe!

Sunday

You need witnesses for a City Hall wedding

Just a reminder! A couple called us last week because they went to be married at City Hall and did not have their witnesses (usually two, but at least one legally required, over 18, must have ID) and were turned away. And no, they do NOT provide witnesses for you, should you arrive without any of your own.

You need to bring your witness/es (and rings, for some weird reason) to a City Hall wedding. You cannot make a reservation or an appointment, you just wait in line in the hallway for your turn with the judge. You'll know whether you want to do this when you go through the license application process. The new accommodations at the Tweed Courthouse are quite nice - and a good solution for some couples.

Of course if you prefer a private wedding or elopement, or wish to write your own vows, or to be married at your own location (or even down the block, at City Hall Park by the fountain), or at a different time than the Courthouse is open, we'll help you. Just contact us and we'll be happy to make suggestions about a personalized or private ceremony. But however you get married -- CONGRATULATIONS!

Friday

Weddings on Boats


We had a SUPER wedding last Friday - friends of the groom arranged a small launch to take us into NY Harbor with a view of the Statue of Liberty, and we performed the wedding at sunset in the tiny back of the boat. Quite memorable (if rather rocky!) A few warnings: You need permission to get close to the SofL, so a chartered boat or registered harbor cruise is a good choice. Also: you can have the CEREMONY ITSELF on a boat (including a public boat like the Staten Island Ferry or any other ferry), but you must officially SIGN THE LICENSE on terra firma, with a real street address. You must be in NY for a NY license, not New Jersey. The same goes for weddings on bridges, hot air balloons, or anything where your feet are not on a real NY intersection. Alternatively, consider holding the ceremony FIRST on the docks, perhaps, or a restaurant with a water view, and then embarking on your wedding cruise and reception. Bon Voyage!
(Note: - no weddings are permitted AT the Statue of Liberty itself, as all tours must be booked with a ranger. Choose a wedding site on terra firma with a nice view of Lady Liberty - we suggest Wagner Park.