How to elope in Upstate New York
Get out of the city, plan an adventure and elope in Upstate New York! With many airbnbs, private rental homes, intimate venues and nature-filled parks, having an intimate ceremony with just the two of you or with a few of your closest friends and family will be a day (or weekend!) to remember! Excited? Maybe a little bit intimidated? Don't worry, I've got 14 years experience and all the info you'll need to create the perfect elopement!
How to elope - what are the musts? You MUST have a marriage license, you must have an ordained individual and you must have a witness. All else is extra and optional to your desires as a couple.
Marriage License (gotta have it!):
- You get your marriage license from the county clerk.
- You'll need an appointment, both partners must be present and have all required documentation.
- You must use your license within 60 days.
- You must wait 24 hours after getting the license to have your ceremony.
- You must pay the $40 fee to get your marriage license.
- After your ceremony, you send it back to the county clerk and it's official!
What vendors do I need?
You need an officiant who is ordained in NYS and one witness. The witness must be someone other than the couple and the officiant. If you have a photographer, they frequently act as witnesses! Beyond the required officiant and possible photographer, it's common for eloping couples to also have a florist, hair/makeup, a local restaurant to sneak away to after you've said you're I do's and a cute place to stay for the night/weekend or even a week!
When to elope in Upstate New York?
- Fall: Foliage abounds in Upstate New York in the fall. If bright colors draws you in, this might be the perfect time! Keep in mind, fall tends to be chillier than spring.
- Spring: My personal FAVORITE time for elopements is in early spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. It is the most fleeting background you can get in photos in Upstate New York and thus, I'm a big fan. It also tends to be warmer in the spring than fall, so if weather is a concern, spring elopements can be a big win!
- Summer: Thinking wildflowers in an open field? Late summer is your answer! This time of year can also be great if you are mini-moon or honeymooning right after and want to have lots of outdoor activities available.
- Winter: Another unique thing Upstate NY has to offer is snow. I had a couple drive from Tennessee just to be able to elope in a snowy scene and oh, did they ever! They also planned the perfect, cozy mountain getaway afterwards. If a frozen waterfall, frozen lake or the potential of a winter wonderland speaks to you, winter in Upstate NY is it!
Where to elope in Upstate New York?
Downtown Troy amongst the brownstones, on a cliff overlook in the state park, in front of a waterfall on your fave hiking trail, in your own backyard or at an official venue, you've got so many options in Upstate New York. From The Catskills to the Hudson Valley to the Adirondacks, you can find private areas nestled next to water, an easy walk from the car or take a long hike in and make it a huge adventure!
Outdoor Non-Venue Locations:
- Minnewaska State Park
- Thatcher Park (also has an area you can reserve for a small fee if you plan to have guests or a picnic to follow).
- Washington Park
- Central Park (permit may be required)
- Kaaterskill Falls
- Lake Placid
Venues that offer food/drinks and a place to stay on site or nearby:
- June Farms
- Lucas Confectionery
- Lake Placid Lodge
- Mirror Lake Inn
- Mirbeau, Rhinebeck
- Mohonk Mountain House
- Windrift Hall (no restaurant on-site)
Resorts:
- Urban Cowboy Lodge
- Eastwind Hotel
- Wylder at Windham
- Piaule
- Scribners Catskill Lodge
- Foxfire Mountain House
Things to avoid when eloping in Upstate New York:
Intimate settings and privacy lend themselves really well to elopements. If you're hoping for a quiet, personal and more private experience, be sure to avoid holiday weekends, high-season touristy areas (eg: Saratoga during track season, Lake George over the summer, small Catskill and Hudson Valley towns on weekends).
How much does it all cost?
This depends heavily on your plans. Some elopements are just the couple, in a free, wide open field and they head to dinner and grab a cute hotel for the night. Some elopements are at a venue, included a handful of guests and the couple jets off right after on a honeymoon. This is your chance to truly DO YOU. Are you thinking simple and sweet? You can do that. Are you thinking bigger and a bit more grand? That's an option, too!
Best guess prices: Eloping with just an officiant and witness? It might only cost about $740 (officiant fee + marriage license).
Thinking an official venue, photographer, officiant, florist, hair/makeup and 10-15 guests? Depending on the venue and what they offer, this can vary widely from $3,000-$10,000+
