The new facility, at 141 Worth Street in Lower Manhattan, is part of a complete physical and operational overhaul of how New Yorkers and visitors receive marriage licenses and other documents.
New York’s City Hall opened for wedding ceremonies in 1916, so for some it’s sad to see the move from the historic spot. For those that have seen the inside of the old building, sterile florescent lit hallways and archaic registering systems, long lines with stringent security checks, the newly renovated space is elegant and memorable.
“New York City is already a legendary location to tie the knot, but this new location will give customers an even better, smoother experience that is more enjoyable and more memorable… and will help make New York City an even more desirable wedding destination for people around the country and the world,” said First Deputy Mayor Patricia E. Harris, who oversaw the renovation project.
The City would like to see New York become the new Las Vegas, where flocks of lovebirds go to tie the knot. It’s a potentially lucrative business opportunity and is seen by many as money well spent. The design and construction of the project cost $12.3 million.
The new space is significantly larger than the old one. It features a new line-management system including fourteen computer kiosks for online application processing and one-stop windows for service instead of multiple windows. You can pay by credit card instead of money orders now.
They’ve cut no corners in renovating the large restrooms with vanities and full-length mirrors so brides and their parties can get ready in style. There are two stylish chapels, decorated with artwork on loan from the Brooklyn Museum of Art. One chapel was closed today however because one of the large paintings had no glass protective cover. This meant the new and improved line-management system was backed up by the afternoon, and some couples had been waiting as long as an hour.
Some other special features include the City Hall Backdrop for taking photos and the City Store selling bridal bouquets, groom’s lapel flowers, and other wedding knickknacks, including symbolic costume rings, cameras, tissues and New York memorabilia.
“I’ve performed a lot of ceremonies and so many couples forget a camera or flowers, so it’s nice to have the store, it’s also a way for the city to make a little money,” said Michael McSweeney, First Deputy and Acting City Clerk. “I was a little skeptical of the photo booth of City Hall at first, but it’s worked out great, the lighting is great and almost all the couples today have stopped by there for a photo.”
Trevor Neale and Anthea Doyle (now Mrs. Neale) were one of the first couples to get married in the new chapel on Monday. The bride, dressed elegantly in a short tiered cream dress and the handsome groom in a dark suit, stood beaming after the ceremony in front of the City Hall backdrop for family and friends to take photos.
“It (the ceremony) was nice, quick, simple and elegant, straight to the point. Just what we wanted,” pronounced Neale, as his best friend Keron Reefer gushed, “I’ve never seen a more beautiful, perfect couple in my life.”
