Six Hour Elopement in New York City
This six hour elopement in New York City was absolutely beautiful! Amanda and Mariana are currently living in San Diego, but decided to elope in New York City over the fall. We got so lucky with the fall foliage still going strong and looking beautiful for their NYC elopement photos. This post is an example of how to plan an entire day for your elopement to be exactly your dream day whether it’s in the city, the mountains, or at the beach!
Interested in eloping in New York City? Check out this New York City Elopement Guide!
Six Hour Elopement Timeline
To start off, Amanda and Marianna reached out to me about two months before they wanted to elope in New York City. Their date was flexible, so we were able to figure out a date that worked for all three of us. They also wanted to make an entire day out of their elopement (instead of just having the legal ceremony captured), so I helped them plan out multiple hours for their big day. Now here’s a real-life example of what a six-hour elopement day could look like:
Getting Ready
Amanda and Marianna got ready separately before my photography coverage started. Amanda got her hair and makeup done at a salon, while Mariana got ready at the apartment they were staying at. The couple met up together and came to Central Park to start off their photography coverage!
Private Vows in Central Park
The three of us – Amanda, Marianna, and myself – met up at 8am in Central Park in Manhattan. Central Park was “empty” for NYC standards, so we took advantage with taking pictures at the iconic Bethesda Terrace and Fountain. From there, Amanda and Marianna read their private vows to one another. The fountain drowned out their words so no one else could hear them; it was just for the two of them. After they read their vows, we continued exploring Central Park taking in all of the gorgeous fall foliage.
Making it Official at the Courthouse
From Central Park, we took a taxi to the Manhattan Courthouse. Within New York City, in-person ceremonies and licenses are by appointment only. Amanda and Marianna had to make their appointment one month before their elopement day. We were able to meet up with their witness/friend and just had to wait for their names to be called for the legal ceremony. Family facetimed in to watch the ceremony, “I do’s” were said, and Amanda and Marianna became an officially married couple!!!
Washington Square Park
Our post-ceremony celebration started with us walking over to Washington Square Park. We popped champagne, took some group photos, and saw a heck a lot of pigeons. Despite the park being a bit busy by early afternoon, we were still able to find some quiet areas for the newly married couple to just soak in the fact that they’re now married!!!
Coffee and Pizza at their six hour elopement day
The final part of this six hour elopement day included food! We drank some coffee from the coffeeshop featured in one of their favorite TV shows (Broad Girls). We leisurely drank our coffee, relaxed, and hung out with some of their friends. From there, we went off to get some classic New York pizza from a shop that was featured in the Spider Man 2 movie. After eating, we walked around the city for some more sightseeing-type pictures before parting ways.
The the perfect amount of time was booked to be fully present and to enjoy their day without rushing from one place to the next. Once we parted ways, Amanda and Marianna went off to celebrate with their friends at dinner and I went back to my airbnb to immediately obsess over their photos (kidding, but also not).
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, but here’s your permission to celebrate your marriage however you want!!! You’re allowed to elope and make your day exactly as you want! – And I’m here to help you plan out your dream day and to photograph just that!
Six Hour Elopement Photographer
This entire six hour elopement was so so special and exactly what I want to do more of: couples in love wanting to make their elopement a multi-hour celebration however that looks to you!!!
If you didn’t know me already, I’m Emily! I’m an elopement photographer based in California, but I travel all over. I spend a lot of time photographing adventure elopements of rad couples around the world. I’m obsessed with all things elopements, outdoor adventure, and am truly so grateful that I get to call this my job!!!
If you’re looking for a photographer for your six hour elopement who will:
- Photograph your beautiful six hour elopement ceremony and activities through storytelling photos that you can look back on for the rest of your life
- Help you come up with your dream elopement day and itinerary
- Help you find activities in the local area to make your elopement intentional, unique, and memorable
…then I’m your person!!!
Visit my website to learn more about me, get to know my approach to elopement photography, and then reach out to me if you think we’re a good fit. I cannot wait to hear from you and start planning your dream six hour elopement!!
More Six Hour Elopement Tips
- New York City Elopement Guide
- Here is another NYC elopement in Central Park I photographed
- Here is more elopement inspo via Pinterest
- Should I Do a First Look at my Wedding? and Other Alternatives
- What to Do With Your Photos After Your Elopement
- 12 Ways to Have a Unique Elopement
- All-Day Elopement Timeline Examples
- Considering elopement locations? Where to Elope on the East Coast and 25 Places to Elope at in California
