Not everyone dreams of heading for the beach for a destination wedding. If you crave arts, culture and city hustle for your day, New York City is the perfect choice. Extremely travel accessible from across Canada, you can have your New York wedding large or small, urban or uptown. The choices are truly endless in the city that doesn’t sleep.
The best time to go: June, July, August, and September are the most popular months to get hitched in New York. These months bring fresh summery weather, but they can also be the priciest time of year when it comes to venues. If you want to avoid the increased costs of venues and accommodations, get married in the early spring, late fall, or have a winter wonderland wedding in the midst of the colder season. Try to avoid New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend in January if you want to be cost-conscious.
The flight: All major carriers offer daily service to New York. If you are traveling from the west, you may have a connecting flight. Travel time from Toronto and Montreal is just one hour.
Legal paperwork: In order to marry in New York, you must obtain a marriage license. There is a small fee of $35 for this paperwork. After attaining your license, you must wait a full 24 hours before your marriage ceremony can be performed, unless you obtain a judicial waiver. More information revolving around the necessary legal paperwork to be wed in New York can be found here.
The budget: Depending on the scope and size of wedding you choose, and the venue, your budget can run the gamut from a $10,000 to $100,000+! If you are planning a celebration at one of New York’s tony hotels expect to pay more for their total wedding packages, which typically include everything from the flowers, to the photographer, catering and entertainment.
The venue: For a gorgeous wedding in an intimate and exclusive space we recommend The Surrey, a quiet, cozy and dreamy hotel on the city’s exclusive Upper East Side. The only Relais and Chateaux property in the city, The Surrey is tucked away on the quiet corner of E 76th and Madison, steps away from the city’s best shopping, Central Park and Museum Mile (there are nine museums in the immediate vicinity). Originally built as a residence hotel in 1926, The Surrey has been home over the years to famous faces include JFK and Bette Davis. This boutique hotel boasts sleek modern décor and ultra-spacious guest rooms and suites (a true luxury in New York City!). It also has a priceless collection of modern art sprinkled throughout which guests can get up close and personal with. You’ll see one of The Surrey’s most famous pieces as soon as you enter the lobby: photographer Chuck Close’s giant tapestry of Kate Moss. Ask the concierge to arrange an art tour so you can see all the gems The Surrey has on display. There are a variety of spaces at The Surrey that are perfect for weddings. The penthouse suite on the 17th floor can accommodate up to 25 guests and has incredible views of Central Park. For a larger party of up to 75 guests, the presidential suite is the perfectly chic choice. The Surrey’s in-house resto Café Boulud, Chef Daniel Boulud’s Michelin-starred eatery is also a perfect intimate spot. The restaurant has two private dining areas which hold up to 18 guests each or they can be combined to accommodate up to 40. Weather permitting, you can take your party to the hotel’s stunning rooftop—one of the most romantic and intimate spots in the city—for dessert, cocktails and soaking in the beautiful Big Apple skyline.
Get our Newsletter
Stay up-to-date with wedding trends, deals and offers.
The Latest
See MoreEditors Picks