Welcome to caketalk. Your blog for all things love, weddings, and New York
Public vs. Private Spaces: How Cakewalk Approaches Ceremony Locations in NYC
A quick guide to how Cakewalk approaches public and private ceremony spaces in NYC. Learn why small weddings shine in iconic public locations, and how private spaces work when couples prefer them.
Everything That’s Included in a Cakewalk Wedding
A complete guide to what’s included in a Cakewalk wedding. Discover how we plan NYC elopements with curated locations, expert officiants, seamless coordination, photography, marriage license support, and meaningful add-ons.
Inside Cakewalk’s Planning Style: High-Touch Support Without the Stress
Cakewalk blends high-touch guidance with a streamlined, stress-free workflow to plan intimate NYC weddings. Learn how our curated process, intentional communication, and expert location and ceremony design keep you involved without ever overwhelming you.
Intimate + Intentional: Cakewalk’s Philosophy on NYC Elopement Guest Count
Guest count shapes everything about your NYC elopement — the location, the mood, the level of privacy, and the rhythm of your photos. Here’s how Cakewalk helps couples choose the right size group and why intimate weddings thrive in New York City.
How Cakewalk Curates the Best NYC Elopement Locations for Your Wedding Day
Cakewalk creates personalized NYC elopement location shortlists based on your vision, guest count, season, privacy preferences, and photography goals. From iconic landmarks to tucked-away corners of the city, we curate spaces that feel effortless, beautiful, and undeniably New York.
Eloping at Ladies Pavilion: A Romantic, Storybook Wedding Spot in Central Park
Ladies Pavilion is one of Central Park’s most romantic elopement locations — a Victorian cast-iron gazebo overlooking the lake with skyline views. Cakewalk handles permits, timing, officiants, coordination, and photography to create an intimate, seamless wedding experience. Whether you’re planning a two-person elopement or a tiny ceremony with up to 20 guests, we’ll guide you through the perfect timing, flow, and photo opportunities in this iconic spot.
How Cakewalk Makes the NYC Marriage License Process Easy (Yes, Even Project Cupid)
Getting a marriage license in NYC can feel confusing, especially with appointment drops and Project Cupid rules. Cakewalk handles the entire process for you — from reminding you to apply, to booking your appointment, to sending calendar invites with what to bring. Your officiant manages the license on your wedding day, ensures proper signatures, and even handles the mailing and filing afterward. For local, out-of-state, and international couples, our marriage license support removes stress and makes your NYC elopement feel seamless from start to finish.
What Day-Of Coordination Looks Like at Cakewalk: White-Glove Support for Small NYC Weddings
Cakewalk’s version of Day-Of Coordination is white-glove support designed specifically for elopements and tiny NYC weddings. Your officiant — who also creates and leads your ceremony — manages logistics, timing, permits, guests, rings, travel updates, and the marriage license process so your day feels effortless and elegant. It’s a modern alternative to traditional wedding coordination and perfect for couples seeking a City Hall–style experience with more beauty, personalization, and hands-on care.
NYC Elopement Officiants: How Cakewalk Creates Ceremonies That Feel Personal, Effortless & Completely You
Cakewalk’s officiants create modern, personal ceremonies that feel meaningful without being long or formal. Unlike City Hall, our ceremonies are written from your story, delivered by curated NYC officiants, and performed anywhere in the city — from Central Park to the Brooklyn Bridge. We handle marriage license support, coordination, and the full ceremony flow so your elopement feels intimate, stylish, and effortless.
Cakewalk Photography: Why We Do It Differently
Cakewalk’s NYC photographers shoot elopements like art — editorial, emotional, and perfectly New York. Explore our film, digital, and Super 8 options for couples who want timeless, stylish imagery.
Brooklyn Bridge Elopement: The Ultimate NYC Wedding Moment
Sjaan and Megan traveled from Australia to New York for a sunrise elopement on the Brooklyn Bridge — a quiet, cinematic moment above the city. See how Cakewalk planned their effortless ceremony with an NYC officiant, editorial-style photos, and the skyline as their backdrop.
Eloping at Bethesda Terrace: The Heart of Central Park, the Soul of New York
Eloping at Bethesda Terrace is a love letter to New York itself. With its arches, fountain, and golden light, it’s one of Central Park’s most iconic spots for small weddings. Cakewalk handles every detail — permits, officiant, photographer, and marriage license — so you can focus on the moment. Whether you choose to say “I do” under the terrace’s arches or beside the fountain, your photos will feel timeless and cinematic. It’s an effortless alternative to City Hall that captures the romance of the city in one unforgettable location.
Eloping at The Met: Art, Architecture, and Iconic Photos in the Heart of NYC
Eloping at The Met in New York City is a true work of art — a blend of elegance, spontaneity, and architectural beauty. Some couples choose to marry outside on the iconic Fifth Avenue steps, while others exchange vows inside the museum’s grand halls or near the Temple of Dendur. Cakewalk handles every detail, from your officiant and marriage license to your photographer and planning timeline, so your day feels effortless and cinematic. With editorial-style photography and full-service coordination, your Met wedding will feel both intimate and iconic — the kind of New York moment that belongs in a museum.
Brooklyn Heights Promenade Elopements: Say “I Do” with the Best Skyline Views in NYC
Perched above the East River with sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline, the Brooklyn Heights Promenade is one of the most cinematic spots in New York City for an elopement or intimate wedding. Couples choose this iconic overlook for its balance of city energy and quiet romance — brownstone-lined streets on one side, the glittering skyline on the other. Whether you’re planning a two-person elopement or a small ceremony with up to 20 guests, Cakewalk handles every detail: permits, officiant, photographer, and logistics. Our editorial-style images capture the moment the skyline lights up, the vows, and the laughter that follows. If you love the idea of a City Hall-style wedding with better views and a little more magic, Brooklyn Heights Promenade delivers it all.
How to Elope in NYC: The Ultimate 2025 Guide
Planning to elope in New York City? From getting your marriage license to choosing the perfect ceremony spot, our 2025 guide walks you through every step. Learn how to navigate permits, find the best locations, and make your NYC elopement seamless and unforgettable.
Best Restaurants for Elopement Dinners in NYC (2025 Guide)
Eloping in New York doesn’t have to end with City Hall — it can end with champagne, candlelight, and dinner at one of the city’s most iconic restaurants. From rustic Italian gems in the West Village to skyline views in Brooklyn, here are the best NYC restaurants for an unforgettable elopement dinner.
The Best Wedding Dates in 2026 Based on Numerology
If you’re planning a wedding in 2026, the numbers are on your side. Numerology shows that 2026 is a Universal Year 1—a year of new beginnings, fresh energy, and powerful opportunities for love. That makes it one of the best years this decade to say “I do.” From repeating dates like 2/22/26 to master numbers like 3/9/26, we’ve rounded up the luckiest and most meaningful wedding dates in 2026 to help you choose a day that aligns with harmony, joy, and long-lasting love.
The Best Elopement Planning Companies in NYC
Planning an elopement in New York City comes with no shortage of options. From budget-friendly packages in Central Park to cinematic, editorial-style celebrations, there’s a planner for every couple. In this guide, we break down the best elopement planning companies in NYC — Perfect Wedding NYC, Dare to Dream, Simply Eloped, One Wedding House, and of course, Cakewalk. You’ll see what each does best, where they might fall short, and why Cakewalk stands out as the top choice for couples who want a wedding that’s stylish, stress-free, and uniquely theirs.
What Paperwork Do You Need to Get Married in NYC?
Getting married in New York City is easier than you think—but there are a few key documents you’ll need to make it legal. Every couple must apply for a marriage license at the NYC Clerk’s Office, bring valid photo IDs, and have an officiant sign the license at the ceremony. Afterward, you’ll receive your official marriage certificate, which proves you’re legally married in New York. For international couples, additional steps like requesting an extended certificate, authentication, or an apostille may be required for recognition in your home country. This guide breaks down everything you need so you can plan your NYC elopement or tiny wedding with confidence.