What’s The Biggest Expense When Eloping in NYC? (It’s Not What You Think!)

For most couples, eloping isn’t necessarily about taking the cheapest route. It’s about prioritizing what actually matters, and crafting a wedding day that reflects your relationship, your style, and your values – without the pressure of a massive guest list or a $50K reception.

But while eloping removes a lot of unnecessary stress, there’s one expense that can end up costing way more than you expect:

Trying to do it all yourself.

Eloping in NYC might seem simple at first. You pick a date, grab a marriage license, and show up, right? If you’re okay with a 30-second ceremony at City Hall —  which, let’s be honest, has all the romance of a DMV office — then sure, it can be that easy.

But if you want a truly meaningful, memorable and stress-free experience? One with stunning photos, a beautifully crafted ceremony, and a day that actually feels personal to you?

That takes planning.

And without the right help, it’s easy to underestimate the time, effort, and unexpected costs involved.

Why Trying to DIY Your NYC Elopement Can Cost You More

While eloping might seem easy on the surface, NYC has its quirks, and they can get expensive fast if you don’t know what to watch out for. Usually, when couples try to plan everything themselves, costs start to add up in ways they didn’t expect.

Before you go any further down the DIY route, here are five ways going it alone can actually cost you more (in time, money, and sanity):

1. Choosing the Wrong Time or Location

NYC is a fast-paced, high-energy city, which means not every location works at every time of day. Want a ceremony with no tourists in sight? A golden-hour wedding with perfect lighting? A secluded spot in a busy park?

Without expert guidance, it’s easy to book a location at the wrong time, leading to overcrowding, bad lighting, or noise that takes away from the intimacy of your moment.

How We Help: We guide you to the best locations and times to avoid big crowds, ensuring your elopement is picture-perfect. Or if you’re having a main character moment and want to get married smack dab in the middle of Grand Central Station, we can make that happen, too!

2. The Marriage License and Permits Maze

NYC’s marriage laws aren’t hard to navigate, but they do require some planning. Do you need a permit for your location? How long do you have to wait after getting your license before you can marry? Can you apply online?

Many couples find themselves scrambling at the last minute because they didn’t know about required wait times or paperwork requirements.

How We Help: We handle all the legal details so you don’t waste time trying to figure it out yourself.

3. Booking Last-Minute Vendors

Not all photographers know how to shoot elopements. Not all officiants craft ceremonies that feel deeply personal and tell your love story. And if you’re looking for experienced elopement vendors who know how to work without a massive wedding timeline, they book up fast.

Couples who wait too long to book their team often end up either paying more for a last-minute hire or settling for someone who doesn’t quite match their vibe.

How We Help: We connect you with an officiant, photographer, and any other vendors you need without the hassle of searching, vetting, or overpaying.

4. Backup Weather Plans

We all know weather is anything but predictable. A sunny forecast can turn into a downpour in an instant. Without a backup plan, rain can throw off your ceremony, your photos, and your entire timeline.

How We Help: We always have a Plan B — whether it’s a covered venue, a nearby indoor location, or a last-minute switch to an epic rain-friendly backdrop.

5. Not Knowing the Best Places to Celebrate After

The city is filled to the brim with incredible spots for post-elopement celebrations!

Couples often spend hours searching for the right place, only to end up in a tourist-trap restaurant or missing out on unique spots that would have been perfect.

How We Help: We get to know you and we give you our expert NYC recommendations.

How Much Does an NYC Elopement Really Cost?

If you’re wondering how much you should budget for an elopement in NYC, we’ve created the ultimate resource to help. Introducing…..

👆 Our FREE interactive spreadsheet takes all the guesswork out of planning. 👆

This is your new planning superpower. It’s the brain of an elopement planner in spreadsheet form. We got you!!

Inside the Budget Planner, You’ll Find:

✔ A breakdown of every possible expense (so nothing catches you off guard)
✔ Drop-down menus with pre-populated prices for different budgets
✔ An auto-calculating total (so you don’t have to do the math)
✔ A Micro-Wedding Budget Planner if you want to invite a few guests
✔ A sample $10K elopement budget so you can see exactly what’s possible

Plus! A helpful resources tab with guides on:

• How to get your NYC marriage license
• A guide on public spaces and permits in NYC
• The most unique and affordable NYC elopement locations
• How to plan an iconic micro-wedding
• Hidden gems to celebrate after your elopement
• And so much more

What’s Next?

Eloping in NYC should be an experience. One that reflects who you are and feels like the wedding you actually want.

You don’t need to stress about timelines, vendors, or logistics. You just need the right team to bring it all together so you can focus on celebrating the way you want.