Eloping in NYC on a Budget: How to Do It for Under $10K

Let’s be honest. New York City isn’t exactly known for being budget-friendly. But when it comes to eloping here, you’d be surprised how far your money can actually go, especially if you skip the B.S. and focus on what you actually want.

We’ve helped over 1,000 couples elope in NYC, and a large number of those weddings happened on a modest budget. And not because people were cutting corners or settling. (Settling? Please. We don’t even know her.)

They were staying at chic hotels, sipping cocktails at hidden speakeasies, hopping on the subway in killer outfits, and eating tasting menus for two at Gramercy Tavern.

The trick? Being intentional. Knowing what’s worth the splurge, what you can skip, and how to piece together an elopement day that’s actually about you. That’s why we made the NYC Elopement Budget Planner. To help you stop guessing, start dreaming, and actually see what a personalized day under $10K can look like. Here’s how.

First, what does an NYC elopement under $10K even look like?

Let’s take you on a little day-in-the-life, based on our real-life sample budget.

Total Budget: $9,440

Yes, that includes flights, hotel, food, outfits, flowers, and some optional extras. These are not random Google estimates or vague numbers. Just real planning math from the people who do this professionally.

Here’s what that $9,940 covers:

3-Hour Elopement Package: $4,000

Includes an officiant and photographer you actually get to choose, and your own personal planning pro to handle all the nitty-gritty (hi, that’s us). Timelines, itineraries, legal stuff – we’ve got it covered! PLUS: We’ll help you hit two NYC neighborhoods in style. Whether that’s Dumbo and Central Park or a dive bar and a downtown stroll. All the romance, none of the chaos.

Transportation: $0

Take the subway like a true New Yorker. Free (we got ya ❤️), fast, and weirdly romantic. We’ve seen epic kisses on the platform and full-on “just married” cheers from strangers.

Food & Drink: $540 total

• Champagne: $70 (Veuve Clicquot, our fave)
• Pit-stop snacks: $20 (think pizza, hot dogs, Magnolia cupcakes)
• Dining: $350 for a tasting menu at Gramercy Tavern
• Drinks: $100 for cocktails at Death & Co.

You’re not skimping here. You’re indulging like a local.

Add-Ons: $900 total

• Ceremony video: $400
• Custom piano processional: $500 (cue the tears)

Travel: $2,000 total

• Flights: $1,200 round-trip for two
• Hotel: $1,300 for 3 nights at a chic west village hotel 

Attire & Beauty: $1,900 total

• Dress: $600 (Click here for a curated list of our favorite BHLDN dresses under $600)
• Suit: $400
• Shoes: $250
• Jewelry & accessories: $150
• Hair, makeup & nails: $300 (GlamSquad comes to your hotel)
• Florals: $200 (bridal bouquet from Fern Botanica)

Miscellaneous: $100

• Tips for vendors, drivers, last-minute treats, you name it.

The vibe of the day?

Wake up in your hotel with city views. Get glammed up while sipping espresso. Subway downtown in your wedding attire, feeling like a movie star. Say your vows under the cherry blossoms in Central Park. Pop Veuve as you walk the streets of NYC feeling like THE main character. Soak it all in as strangers cheer you on and celebrate you and your love. Do an outfit change. Take epic photos. Sneak in a pizza slice. Toast with cocktails. Eat a chef’s tasting menu you’ll talk about forever.

And you did it all without going into debt. Iconic.

How to build your version of this under-$10K elopement

The key is customization. The planner lets you:

• Choose only the categories you care about
• Edit and remove anything that doesn’t serve you
• See auto-calculated totals in real time
• Toggle between an elopement and micro-wedding setup

Plus, it links to helpful guides on permits, hotel recommendations, NYC itineraries, vendor inspo, and more!

You’ll find tabs for:

• Elopement Budget Planner (with dropdowns for every category – trust us, we did not miss a thing)
• Micro-Wedding Budget Planner (for couples adding guests)
• Sample Budget Under $10K (the one we just walked through)
• Helpful Resources (like our NYC Elopement Location Quiz, secret speakeasy recs, and SO much more.)

Want to try it?

You can grab the NYC Elopement Budget Planner for free right here. It comes with a video walkthrough so you’re never confused about what goes where. Play with the numbers. See what’s possible. And most importantly, have fun dreaming up your day!

📥 Download your planner here

And if you want help customizing it, finding budget-friendly options, or just someone to tell you yes, you can elope in a vintage taxi and still afford dinner? We got you.

Reach out any time. We’re your elopement hype team for LIFE.

P.S. Want to see what an under-$10K wedding actually looks like? Our Instagram is full of couples doing the damn thing on all kinds of budgets. Come get inspired.