How to elope on a private rooftop in New York?

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How to elope on a private rooftop in New York?

Imagine saying ‘I do’ with the breathtaking New York City skyline as your backdrop, the sun setting over the iconic landmarks, and the city buzzing below you. Rooftop weddings in the summer offer a magical and intimate way to tie the knot in the heart of the Big Apple. With an array of stunning rooftops to choose from, each offering its own unique charm, couples seeking a memorable and picturesque ceremony need look no further. Here is everything you need to know about how to elope this summer in New York.

1. Preparing for Your New York City Elopement

  • Understanding Legal Requirements: To ensure a legally recognized marriage, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the legal requirements for getting married in New York City. Please visit the City Clerk’s Office website to read more about the regulations. Only the couple has the legal rights to apply for the marriage license, no one else can do it for them.
  • Choosing the Right Time: Timing is crucial when planning a summer elopement in New York City. Discover the best months, taking into account weather conditions, peak tourist seasons, and any local events or holidays that may affect your wedding plans. Keep in mind that summer in New York is no joke and it’s getting very hot during the day. Consider early morning or after sunset ceremonies during the warm months.
  • Creating Your Budget: Determine your elopement budget and allocate funds for essential elements such as the marriage license, officiant, photography, venue, and any additional services you may desire. The budget will also depend on whether you choose private or public rooftop options.

2. Choosing the perfect rooftop for summer elopement in New York

When contemplating a rooftop elopement, you have the option of either utilizing publicly accessible rooftops or hiring a private venue.

  • Public Rooftops: For breathtaking bird’s-eye views from some of the tallest terraces in New York, consider venues such as Top of the Rock, the Edge, the Summit, or the Empire State Building’s observation decks. Each offers a distinct perspective and would undoubtedly contribute to an unforgettable elopement experience. It’s worth noting, however, that these locations are open to the public and, while you can try to arrive early in the morning to beat the crowds, privacy cannot be guaranteed. For a ceremony at an observation deck, entrance tickets for your party are necessary. Make sure to confirm if photography is allowed at the chosen location, to avoid potential fines or entrance denials.
  • Private rooftops: Choosing a private rooftop allows for greater flexibility and privacy. Such venues offer you the liberty to select a suitable day and time, and the opportunity to personalize the space as per your preferences. Private rooftops are also excellent for hosting post-elopement celebrations and photo sessions. However, do remember to consider contingency plans in case of inclement weather, as some rooftops may not have covered areas. Review the venue’s regulations meticulously, as restrictions may apply to outside vendors or specific décor types.

Among private options, the Midtown View Terrace is a personal favorite. Strategically situated in the midtown area, this rooftop affords spectacular views of the iconic Empire State Building. String lights enhance its appeal, adding a charming sparkle. The venue accommodates up to 20 guests at no additional cost, and appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted. However, guests are advised against bringing glitter, balloons, sparklers, or alcohol. The most preferred rental times are either an hour before sunset or post-sunset, when the lights illuminate the stunning Empire State Building. To make a booking, you can reach out to us at info@daretodream.nyc with your preferred date and time, as well as the number of guests you plan to invite, and we will respond at our earliest convenience.

3. Rooftop Decorations. In the world of rooftop weddings, the arch or arbor is a prominent centerpiece that frames the couple, creating a stunning focal point against the city skyline. The right arch can encapsulate the essence of your union and become a symbol of the doorway to your shared future.

You can choose from traditional round or rectangular arches to more unconventional shapes like triangles or asymmetrical designs. Choose a shape that harmonizes with your chosen theme and venue aesthetics.

Personalization. Infusing your event with personalized decor can make your small rooftop wedding in New York feel incredibly intimate and unique, reflecting your individual and shared identities.

Infusing your event with personalized decor can make your small wedding in New York feel incredibly intimate and unique, reflecting your individual and shared identities.

1. Pictures

Displaying photographs from your relationship journey adds a sentimental touch. These could be arranged on a dedicated table, hung as a backdrop, or even integrated into the table centerpieces.

2. Custom Signage

Custom signs bearing your names, monograms, or favorite quotes add a personal touch and can also serve as beautiful backdrops for photo ops.

3. Flower arrangements

Flowers always bring an elegant touch to any event. Decorate your venue with your favorite flowers and think outside the box when choosing the arrangements. After the event, friends and family can take some home or you can donate them to the local hotel or restaurant.

 

A small rooftop wedding in New York City is a canvas for a truly bespoke event that tells your unique story against the backdrop of an iconic skyline. With a beautifully decorated wedding arch as a centerpiece and personalized touches scattered throughout, your wedding day will reflect not only the love you share but also the individual personalities that make your union unique. Embrace the intimacy and romance of a summer elopement in the vibrant realm of New York City, and let the magic of this iconic metropolis create memories that will last a lifetime.

Five things you should know before eloping in spring

Spring in New York is always a magical time; the snow has melted, birds are singing, and air brings that feeling of the new beginning and new life cycle. The blooming season in New York usually starts in mid-March till the end of April, and it is the most tender time of the year in the city. This is the perfect time to say “I Do,” and if you are looking for a spring elopement ceremony, here are some things to keep in mind:
 

1. Weather

Even though the snow has already melted by this time, it is still relatively cold outside, so always dress in layers and bring warm boots with you.  There is always a possibility of rain, so we always recommend having a backup plan. Either bring the umbrellas and style your ceremony with cute umbrella shots, or you will need to move the ceremony to the covered spot. 
 

2. Venue

As mentioned earlier, this season is famous for its unstable weather conditions, so if you want to be sure that nothing will ruin your perfect day, we always recommend going with the elopement venues. Our favorites are the one that has an inside room and an outside terrace so that you will be covered in case of rain but also will have a terrace for the styled shoots. Most of the venues offer one-hour rentals and can accommodate up to 10 people. Please note that those types of venues do not offer reception or after ceremony options.
 

3. Permits

Spring is a very popular time for weddings and elopement ceremonies, so if you have a specific day and place in mind, it is always better to get a permit and secure the spot. In Central Park, places as Wagner’s Cove, Cop Cot, or the Ladies Pavilion are known for long wedding lines, and if you want to avoid unnecessary stress, you need to get a permit. All permits need 30 days’ notice for processing. The same applies to the Brooklyn Bridge Park and the High Line. 
 

4. Colors 

The biggest highlight of spring in New York is the cherry blossoms season. If you plan to elope around this time, try to incorporate those pastel pink colors into your ceremony. It can be a hairpin or a bridal bouquet, groom’s tie, or a boutonniere, this is the perfect opportunity to blend pink and nature awakening colors into your wedding. If pink is not your color to wear, but you would love to elope around the blossoming trees, the best places for an elopement ceremony will be Central Park, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Riverside Park, and Roosevelt Island. 
 

5. Photography 

Cherry blossoms create a very romantic and delicate look for the wedding pictures and enhance the natural colors, so if you were looking for those intimate, tender pictures, this would be a perfect time. Always discuss the style of the pictures that you have in mind with your photographer. Bring some props for the shoot, such as picnic umbrellas or the “just married” sign. Pastel color balloons and simple flower bouquets would look stunning in the pictures. 
 
The beginning of spring is a time of renewal and optimism, and it is the perfect time to start something new and look towards the bright future.  Eloping in spring is romantic and elegant, and if that’s your favorite time of the year, contact us now at info@daretodream.nyc, and our professional team will help you to create the perfect wedding day for you and your partner. 

How to plan your small wedding while on quarantine

This spring became very challenging for everybody. Ban on travel, social distancing, and quarantine is what everyone is talking about and we can see how all that can give anxiety to the newly engaged couples, who just started to plan their intimate wedding or an elopement. But we think that this is the best time to start planning your wedding and here is why:

1. First of all, right now, we are all working from home, so if you were planning to use wedding planning services, this is the best time to reach out and speak to the planner. As many weddings were postponed or canceled, there are good chances that your planner is free and can spend quality time with you.

2. Start to look for the venues. Again as most of the weddings were canceled, there are more available dates and you can reach out to the venues and inquire about the dates that you are interested in. Also, most of the venues are offering virtual tours right now. This is a unique opportunity to do a venue search with your partner without leaving the house.

plan wedding while quarantine

3. If you were planning to hire a DJ, there is no better time than now to reach out and schedule a zoom session. Most of the musicians and DJ’s are doing online performances, so you can hear them live and decide if that is the person you want to hire for your wedding.

4. If you were planning to have the first dance with your partner, use the quarantine time to actually learn how to dance. Again, all the dance studios are now operating online, which means you can hire a first dance couch and practice the moves at home with your partner.

5. Wedding invitations, save the date, wedding favors – you can do it all at home by yourself. This is the unique opportunity to acquire a new skill, make your wedding more personal and save money.

If you were planning to elope, here are some useful tips for you as well:

1. You can start looking for your officiant. You can check them online, hear how they conduct the ceremony and see which one you like the most. Reach out to them and ask all the questions you were interested in.

2. Perfect time to start working on your vows.

3. You will definitely need a photographer, so start looking now. Again as many couples canceled their weddings, most of the photographers who were booked before are available now. So if you had a photographer in mind, but he was not available, reach out and see if he will be able to take you.

4. Look for the elopement planner in the city you plan to have your ceremony. There are lots of destination planners, who actually don’t live in the cities they offer their services and that might be a problem. We are all pretty sure that after the quarantine there will be new rules and regulations on any gatherings, so every city will have its own rules and it is better to have a planner who actually lives in that city.

5. If you were planning to buy a dress for the ceremony, many bridal boutiques are offering now the online virtual dress try on. Why not use this opportunity and see what dress styles suit you. It will save so much time and will boost your wedding mood.

 

How can we help?

Dare to Dream NYC is based in New York, so if you are planning to get elope here, reach out to us and we will answer all your questions. We are still operating on a regular schedule and ready to plan a last-minute elopement. We dream big and ready to help you bring your dreams into reality.

Tatiana Caicedo (c)

Call, text or WhatsApp +1(347)-926-9458