Getting Married in New York & New Jersey During the Pandemic
I’ll start out with a collective UGH from all of us working on wedding planning right now. It’s easy to feel down and just generally not into it. If you’re stuck or confused about how to forge on, I hope this post helps.
I’m giving you all the most up to date information, vendors who are currently offering services during this time and ideas to inspire you. A tiny wedding may not be part of your original plans, but it doesn’t have to be any less full of love and joy.
Understand the Guidelines
Governor Cuomo announced NY Forward, the four phase re-opening plan. You can keep up to date by visiting the website, but for now, my suggestion is plan for a smaller function through 2020.
In New York, the mid-Hudson region & NYC are in phase four, meaning weddings of up to 50 people outside are allowed. Indoor dining at 25% capacity is also now in effect.
In New Jersey, outdoor gatherings have been upped to 100 people, or 25% of a venue's capacity, whichever number is less, with all social distancing guidelines followed. Indoor gatherings are not currently allowed at wedding venues.
Getting Your Marriage License
This is probably one of the biggest issues people are running into right now. There’s a lot of conflicting information out there, not to mention technical difficulties.
New York City
NYC has launched Project Cupid so couples can virtually obtain marriage licenses and have legal virtual ceremonies. People are reporting trouble getting time slots, but it’s not totally impossible. Try refreshing the page several times, as new time slots have been known to pop up. You can also contact Project Cupid support and they may be able to put you directly in touch with the scheduling team.
As for the process, you'll meet with a city clerk via video chat. You’ll both need to show your IDs. You'll then share your screen with the clerk as you each sign the license. You’ll get instant access to your license online which you can download and print!
Ulster
For those wanting a ceremony outside the city, you can obtain a license virtually via the town of Ulster. Visit the town clerk website here and call to schedule your appointment. Don’t forget to download Zoom if you haven’t aleady.
White Plains
If one person in a couple have a driver’s license with a White Plains address, you can apply for a marriage license. You’ll need to call the office for an appointment.
Eastchester
Couples residing in Eastchester, Tuckahoe or Bronxville can email the county clerk at townclerk@eastchester.org to schedule a marriage license appointment.
Poughkeepsie
For residents, the town clerk will be doing limited appointments through a window in her office. Call after June 3rd to make your appointment.
Greenburgh
You can either receive your license over zoom, or in the lobby of Town Hall wearing masks. Find more information on the town website here.
New Jersey
First, you can download the application here. Then, you’ll need to contact your local registrar’s office to find out their policies.
Choose Your Marriage Adventure
There are a few ways you can make your wedding happen during covid.
Zoom: In New York, your officiant does not have to be physically present to marry you. You can go directly through the NYC portal and do a private ceremony, or organize your own. If you decide to do a Zoom ceremony with family and friends, put someone else in charge of moderating!
At home: If you’ve been shacking up with your parents or siblings, you can actually have your ceremony right in your own backyard (or living room!). Hire an officiant who will show up and stand 6 feet away, or ask a family member to become ordained online.
At an Airbnb: You can still rent airbnbs during this time! Again, if you’ve been living with family, you can certainly all relocate for the weekend and have a mini getaway. If you’re interested in more information about airbnb weddings, you can read my blog post here.
In nature: While gatherings still aren’t allowed, you can still elope outside in nature (on a beach or in a park) with just the two of you. Both your photographer and officiant can stand 6 ft. away.
Host a drive through: This one might be more complicated to pull off, but it’s a really fun idea if you can make it happen. Have your friends and family drive by parade style to give you well-wishes, or have them park (6 ft apart), roll down the windows and listen as you exchange your vows. You’ll definitely need amplification so keep that in mind.
Take Precautions
Work with the vendors and venue to ensure the rules are clear and followed. That might be catering staff monitoring how many people are going up to a buffet at once, 6 ft apart marketings on the ground, and of course lots of sanitizer present.
When you are standing or sitting in place, you do not need to wear a mask. Stand 6 ft apart from your officiant during your ceremony if you don’t want masks in photos. Since everyone will likely be further apart than a typical wedding, I recommend renting a sound system so your guests will be able to hear you exchange your vows.
During transition times, guests should put their masks on (after the ceremony, getting up to get food, use an indoor restroom).
No Dancing For Now
In both New York and New Jersey, dance floors are not permitted at this time. Guests shouldn’t be standing and mingling at all.
Photography
Photographers will have to operate a bit differently during this time. They will not be able to come up to you and adjust your dress or hair. They also may need to get creative with group photos. Speak with your photographer ahead of time about which groups of people can be photographed together without social distancing followed.
Secure Your Vendors
Having a small wedding even if it’s at-home does not mean you have to forgo working with wedding professionals! There are so many great New York wedding vendors offering services right now.
Planners
Small Shindigs (hi, it’s me!): My Tiny Wedding Package is perfect for couples either switching gears completely and having a smaller wedding in lieu of a big one, or for those who simply gravitate towards smaller celebrations. If you find out about tiny weddings from this post, please mention that to me when inquiring for a $100 discount!
Adventure Elopements HV: For couples looking for a just the two of you adventurous experience.
HV Ceremonies: Offering virtual ceremonies
Bad Boss Bride: Offering small and micro wedding styling and planning
Food
Cupcakes by Missy: Offering contactless delivery of cupcakes for micro weddings and elopements.
Flowers
The Flower Garden:Offering contactless pickup or delivery of flowers
Deja Vu Flowers: Offering an elopement/micro wedding package for $325
Forever Brooch Bouquets: Offering custom designed hand sewn floral pieces and accessories using up-cycled clothing and jewelry
Kerry Patel: Offering floral packages for elopements and intimate weddings
Maple Field Floral: Offering different size intimate wedding packages with personal flowers and table pieces
Hair & Makeup
Beauty by Daniela: Offering 10% off for essential workers wedding day makeup
Annaliese Bridal: Waiving standard minimum and offering hair and makeup services for just bride, mother of the bride and maid of honor
Christina Delfino: Offering free virtual makeup lessons to anyone in the next few months who cannot have a makeup artist present at their wedding due to COVID-19
Essie Cohen: Offering virtual lessons as well as complimentary trials for any healthcare workers, complimentary beauty session for any healthcare workers, prior to wedding like rehearsal or shower or engagement session
Music
Your Event Matters: Offering 15-30 minute DJ services for elopements and car parades
Jimmy Lyles: Offering socially distanced DJ and music services
Photography & Videography
Lin Pernille: Offering intimate wedding packages for as little as 1 hour
Alicia Martiere: Currently offering $200 off elopement photography
Viviana Podhaski: Offering 2 hour elopement photography package for $800
Moments Captured in Time: Offering a free anniversary session when booking services for 2020 or 2021
Kathryn Cooper: One of the awesome photographers in my tiny wedding package, Kathryn is also photographing elopements and offering free 30 minute photoshoots for frontlines workers whose weddings were affected by covid
Pioneer Media: Offering elopement videography services
Nicole DeTone: Offering photography for virtual weddings as well as elopements and intimate weddings
Officiants
Rev Jim Rooney: Offering officiant services in his home garden in Beacon for elopements and micro-weddings
John Wendel: Officiating for both elopements and Zoom weddings
Zaro Celebrations: Officiating for both elopements and Zoom weddings
Try Wedding Attire on At Home
While tradition says you shouldn’t see the bride’s dress before the wedding day, times are changing! Just because stores are closed, doesn’t mean you can’t shop for your outfits.
Floravere: Shop their “love can’t wait” collection for ready-to-wear pieces
Amsale: Offering complimentary virtual appointments with a bridal stylist
BHLDN: Offering virtual appointments and gowns are available to try on at home with returns as long as there is no damage
Cocomelody: Try on up to three wedding dress samples at a time at home
Generation Tux: Create and customize your look and try on at home
The Black Tux: Pick from the list of available tuxes and order to try on at home, return after 48 hours for free
Make it Special
It might take a little extra creativity to make your wedding day feel special, but here are some ideas to inspire you:
Order a cake. Lots of bakeries are still operating and offering contactless delivery and pickup. You can even treat this as a taste test if you’re having a bigger wedding down the road!
Have a first dance. If you’re having a Zoom wedding, you could even invite your guests to slow dance along with you at home!
Ask your people of honor to make a toast. Whether that’s in front of your wedding guests on Zoom, socially distanced in person, or through a written letter.
Order a special bottle of champagne. Treat yourselves and then drink that champagne on your anniversary every year.
Include your guests in a unique way. DIY projects are perfect for quarantine. Print everyone’s photos and attach them to your ceremony area, or ask each guest to send a love letter.
Pick an interesting location. One plus side to all of this is that you might be able to get married in a location you’d never be able to pull off during normal times. Is there a favorite spot on a sidewalk that’s typically bustling with people? Does your building have a rooftop that wouldn’t be an option for your 100+guest list?
Sending you all positive planning vibes! If you have questions or are looking for planning support in New York or New Jersey, please don’t hesitate to contact me here.