A Subway Ride to “I Do” in New York City
Nicola (she/her) and Laura (she/they) were never drawn to a big wedding. For them, it was always about keeping things simple, intentional, and entirely their own.
So they followed a shared dream instead: New York City. They booked the flights, packed their suits, and chose Manhattan as the place it would all become real, complete with subway rides in wedding outfits, a quick City Hall ceremony, and strangers wishing them luck on the street.
No pressure, no performance. Just two people, a city that never slows down, and a day that felt exactly right.
A Scouse and a Mancunian. Here’s how we met, and fell in love.
Nicola: The coffee was hot, the conversation candid, and I was listing everything I wanted in a partner to my friend, the kind of wishlist you almost feel silly saying out loud. My friend suggested Bumble, and reluctantly, I downloaded it on the spot.
A few profiles in, Laura appeared. Completely out of my league, obviously. But you only live once, right? I sent a hopeful like.
And then… match!
Turns out, fate had a hand in it. Laura was with her best friend when my profile came up, and her friend – my coworker from years ago – recognised me. “I know her!” she said, vouching for me. That was the nudge Laura needed.
My first message? “What’s occurring?” (Gavin and Stacey, of course.) And since that, we never stopped talking.
A Scouse and a Mancunian, our worlds collided, somehow making perfect sense. We became inseparable, bought our first house in 2023, and added Miss Phoebe Buffay, our mischievous pug, to the mix.
Sometimes we just stop and laugh at how it all happened. A dating app, a friend’s memory, a random moment? We feel incredibly lucky for everything and everyone that brought us together.
Planning an elopement in New York City.
We were never the big wedding, big budget kind of people. For us, commitment was simple, authentic, and just about the two of us.
But we did share one shared fantasy: New York City.
It was always a dream, a place we’d been separately years before meeting each other, the backdrop to a thousand iconic movie moments! The idea was absurd, thrilling, and completely us.
So, we booked the flights and just went for it.
Getting married under those skyscrapers, far away from our everyday lives in the UK, felt like the perfect symbol of our adventure together.
We told our families and a small circle of friends, and they were all incredibly supportive. They understood that it was about stripping away the fuss and focusing entirely on the moment we became a married couple. We were chasing a feeling, and we knew we’d find it in Manhattan.
Letting our parents know we were going to elope.
Telling our parents about our elopement was probably the most nerve-wracking part.
It’s an unconventional choice, and you never know how it’ll land, but their reaction was immediate and very loving.
We told them everything: New York, the elopement, keeping it simple. They listened intently, then without hesitation, gave us their blessing. “You only get one life, so you absolutely should do exactly what you want to do.”
That support lifted a huge weight – and even guilt – off our shoulders.
Knowing how much it meant to them to be included, we made sure they were part of it too, even from afar. We video called them just before the ceremony, and thanks to Mae, our photographer, the whole event was captured so they could feel like they were right there with us in Manhattan.
Tell us about finding two suits for your elopement.
We kept things simple. No big dresses, no bespoke tailoring. Instead, we embraced a smart casual elegance that felt authentic to us and perfectly suited to the energy of downtown Manhattan.
Both of our suits? Straight from Zara.
There was a quiet thrill in pulling on those simple, sharp outfits and walking toward the City Hall Clerk’s Office. Just two people in great suits, ready to get married.
It was stylish, relaxed, and a reminder that it’s not about the budget. It’s about who’s standing next to you.
Walk us through the elopement – from New York City Hall to the subway.
The day started calm. We woke up together at the Times Square Hilton and got ready side by side in our Zara suits. The night before, we’d found a florist in Hell’s Kitchen and picked a simple bouquet for Laura – one of our favourite little details.
We skipped the expensive limo and took the most authentic New York route, the Subway. Riding downtown in our wedding outfits, blending into the morning rush, felt surreal and perfect.
We met Mae outside City Hall (who was kind enough to double as our witness), grabbed a quick coffee, then joined the bizarre queue of couples in jeans, gowns, all just excited to get married.
But the most unexpected, heartwarming memory was waiting outside. Strangers stopped to wish us luck and tell us we looked lovely. That was such a charming slice of Manhattan magic that we never anticipated.
The ceremony was quick, sweet, exactly what we wanted. Then we drove all over the city for photos. Just married, stopping at iconic spots, feeling like we were in a movie.
It was a perfect, chilled-out, beautiful day that officially turned a Scouser-Mancunian love story into a transatlantic marriage.
Tell us about your photographer, Mae Krell Photo.
With a non-traditional wedding, finding the right photographer really mattered. We found Mae Krell Photo through social media, and from our first Zoom call, they were perfect.
They weren’t just asking about date or time – they wanted our story. They even helped shape the cinematic, authentic style we were dreaming of.
On the day, Mae was an absolute powerhouse. Calm, supportive, our legal witness, and the person who made it all feel like a movie.
The photos exceeded every expectation. And when Mae stayed longer than planned, just as excited as we were, it meant everything to us.
Mae didn’t just take photos. They captured our entire New York story.
Tell us about your wedding rings.
The ceremony at City Hall was a bit of a blur. When people ask about our vows, we just laugh. The whole thing took about two minutes flat!
It was fast, official, and definitely not the place for a long romantic speech.
Honestly, I was more focused on one very important detail… the rings.
In that adrenaline-filled moment, I was just trying not to mess up which ring went on which finger. You think you’ve got it sorted until the pressure hits!
Thankfully, we nailed it – and just like that, we were married (and laughing)!
What was it like to book an elopement through NYC Clerk’s Project Cupid website?
Behind the movie magic, there was a bit of a bureaucratic battle first.
We had to pre-register through the NYC Clerk’s Project Cupid website, then book an in-person appointment to actually get the marriage license which was non-negotiable before the ceremony.
The toughest part of the whole journey, even harder than booking flights or choosing outfits, was navigating the City Clerk’s scheduling system.
Getting a slot felt like trying to get Glastonbury tickets. When we finally locked in the exact day we wanted, it was a massive relief.
What has it been like since you got married?
Seven months on, it all still feels like a surreal, shared dream.
Our advice? Talk about everything. What you actually want, not what’s expected. Strip it back to what feels right for you.
Do your homework too. Legal stuff, licenses, vendors, so you can relax once you’re there.
Most importantly, don’t overthink it. Just live it.
The pressure of a traditional wedding melts away when you choose to have an elopement. It becomes about your experience, your commitment, and a memory that’s just yours. Everyone else can celebrate with you later.
We left our two cities, crossed an ocean, and found a perfect, simple, profound joy amidst the beautiful chaos of Manhattan. It was the best decision we ever made.
There’s no place like New York.
Captured by Mae Krell Photo
