Getting Married at Manhattan City Hall: A Step-by-Step Guide (and Why Some Couples Choose Cakewalk Instead)
Planning a New York City wedding and thinking about City Hall? You’re not alone. The Manhattan City Clerk’s Office performs thousands of marriage ceremonies every year, making it one of the most common ways couples legally marry in NYC.
But while City Hall is simple and efficient, it’s also rigid. For many couples—especially international couples, creatives, and people who want something small but meaningful—that rigidity becomes a dealbreaker.
This guide walks you through exactly how City Hall weddings work, what international couples need to know, and why so many couples ultimately decide to skip City Hall and plan a Cakewalk wedding instead.
Step 1: Apply for Your NYC Marriage License
Before you can get married anywhere in New York City, you’ll need a marriage license.
You can apply online through Project Cupid or in person at the City Clerk’s office.
Marriage license basics
Fee: $35 (credit card only)
Both partners must be present
Valid after 24 hours
Expires after 60 days
For international couples, this step is usually straightforward. The complications tend to come after the ceremony, when it’s time to make the marriage valid in your home country.
👉 Related: NYC marriage license requirements, explained
Step 2: Booking a City Hall Ceremony
City Hall ceremonies are by appointment only and booked through Project Cupid.
What to know
Appointments open roughly 2–3 weeks in advance
Fridays book fastest
Ceremonies run Monday–Friday during business hours
You’re allowed up to 4 guests total, including your witness and photographer
At your appointment, you’ll bring:
Your marriage license
One witness with photo ID
$35 ceremony fee
There is no flexibility here. Guest count, timing, and ceremony format are fixed.
👉 Related: City Hall vs. Cakewalk weddings in NYC
Step 3: What a City Hall Wedding Is Actually Like
City Hall weddings are efficient—and that’s both the benefit and the drawback.
Here’s what the day typically looks like:
Arrival and check-in
You’ll go through security, check in at kiosks, and wait your turn in a public waiting area shared with dozens of other couples.
The ceremony
When your number is called, you’ll enter a small room where an officiant performs a 2–3 minute civil ceremony. You can exchange rings and kiss, but you cannot personalize vows or change the script.
The certificate
You leave with your marriage certificate in hand. Legally married. Emotionally? That depends on what you’re hoping for.
For some couples, this is perfect. For many others, it feels rushed, impersonal, and anticlimactic.
Step 4: International Couples and Apostilles
If you’re an international couple, City Hall is only the beginning.
After the ceremony, you may need:
An extended marriage certificate
Authentication through New York State
An apostille for international recognition
Each country has different requirements, and the process can involve multiple offices, appointments, and weeks of waiting.
This is one of the biggest reasons international couples choose Cakewalk. We guide couples through this process from the start, help set realistic timelines, and reduce the risk of paperwork mistakes.
👉 Related: International couples getting married in NYC
Why Couples Choose Cakewalk Instead of City Hall
City Hall is legal. Cakewalk is intentional.
Cakewalk weddings are designed for couples who want something small, personal, and distinctly New York—without planning a traditional wedding or dealing with City Hall limitations.
With Cakewalk, you get
Up to 20 guests
A personalized, non-religious ceremony
An experienced officiant who also coordinates the day
Iconic NYC locations (parks, gardens, cultural spaces)
One hour of professional photography
Clear guidance for international paperwork
Transparent pricing, starting at $4,000
No waiting rooms. No guest anxiety. No wondering if you “did it wrong” by wanting something meaningful.
👉 Related: How much does a Cakewalk wedding cost?
City Hall vs. Cakewalk: A Quick Comparison
City Hall
4 guests max
2–3 minute standard script
One indoor location
No coordination or photography included
You handle all logistics yourself
Cakewalk
Up to 20 guests
Fully personalized ceremony
Outdoor or architectural NYC locations
Photography included
Hands-on planning and coordination
So here’s the deal…
City Hall is a functional option for couples who want to be legally married as quickly and cheaply as possible.
But if you’re traveling to New York, bringing loved ones, or hoping your wedding day actually feels like a wedding, many couples find City Hall limiting—and choose Cakewalk instead.
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