Getting married in Brooklyn

I'm based in Brooklyn, so a Brooklyn ceremony is the easiest booking I take. There's no trip across the river on my side, and I already know how the borough behaves on a Saturday afternoon.

Where couples marry here

I've held ceremonies at the Boathouse in Prospect Park and at Jane's Carousel in Dumbo, among other spots around the borough.

Whatever spot you pick, the same few things matter. Near the water the wind picks up fast, so I keep ceremonies there short and ask you to read your vows slowly. I stand where I can be heard without a microphone, and if we do need a speaker, I'll tell you before the day.

Parks can have permit rules, depending on the size of your group and the space. Rooftops and private venues need the owner's okay, and many have sound limits after a certain hour. Ask them early and send me what they say.

Picking a time of day

Light changes everything. In summer, a ceremony about an hour before sunset gives you warm light without anyone squinting into it. Winter is different: the sun sets before 5 pm, so an afternoon ceremony is the better call. Early weekday mornings are the quietest option at popular spots.

How a Brooklyn ceremony runs

I get to your spot a little early to check the sound, the wind and where the sun will be. You arrive, we take a breath, and I walk you through the order once. The ceremony itself runs from ten to forty five minutes depending on your package. Afterward you and your witnesses sign, and I sign the license too. Returning it to the City Clerk is up to you. Bring your rings, your vows if you wrote them, and a friend to hold your bag.

Who it suits

Brooklyn works for two people and a witness on a pier. It works just as well for a rooftop with a dozen friends and a speaker playing your song. If your families are coming from Italy, tell me early. We can plan the license appointment around their flights and run the ceremony in both languages.

If the forecast is a worry, the ceremony goes ahead rain or shine. If you want an indoor backup, the Green Boutique chapel in Brooklyn is available for an additional fee.

What it costs

Packages start at $500 for a simple elopement. In every package I fill out and sign your marriage license. See the full list and tell me which one sounds right. You can also read about Manhattan ceremonies if you're still deciding where.

Ci vediamo a Brooklyn? Leggi la pagina in italiano.