If you are looking for the perfect elopement venue in NYC for a celebration that feels anything but traditional, Sure Thing Chapel might be the perfect fit for you. All of the Sure Thing Chapel locations are inspired by the retro drive-by wedding chapel that became famous in Las Vegas. Sure Thing NYC brings the same Las Vegas color, kitsch, and retro flair to downtown Manhattan.
As a New York Elopement Photographer, I’m always on the lookout for unique venues for my couples. Sure Thing Chapel NYC definitely fits the bill. It’s colorful, unconventional in all the best ways, and most importantly, a space that photographs beautifully for your wedding day. Read on for all of my best tips on planning the perfect wedding or elopement at Sure Thing Chapel NYC.
Who Should Elope At Sure Thing Chapel NYC?
Sure Thing Chapel is ideal for playful couples who love non-traditional venues and fun, colorful photos. If a traditional ballroom doesn’t match your vibe but a rainbow marquee heart and a disco ball sound right up your alley, this is the place for you!
Logistically speaking, it’s also perfect for couples who want just a few guests to witness their elopement. Unlike City Hall, ceremonies are not limited to just four guests. At Sure Thing, you can invite up to twenty-five guests for your ceremony. This gives you more flexibility for inviting your closest friends and family to share the day with you without feeling like a full-sized wedding.
I’m also a big fan because you don’t have to get married there; it can simply be a stop for photos. This is perfect for couples who want to get legally married at City Hall, or do their ceremony somewhere like Central Park but still want to stop by for some fun, vibey photos. It’s one of those venues that you can easily build your wedding day around and make sure it fits into your vision for your photographs.
I always have couples ask me about indoor photo locations in case of rain or other inclement weather. I won’t lie, it’s really tough to find indoor public spaces with beautiful backdrops and without a million other people there. If you are looking for an alternative to the hotel backdrop, Sure Thing provides a great indoor space with completely unique backgrounds for photos that ensures you don’t have to worry about inclement weather ruining your photos’ aesthetic.
What is the Aesthetic at Sure Thing NYC?
When you think about the vibe of Sure Thing NYC, think retro Las Vegas with a New York twist. The main ceremony backdrop is vibrant red draping with a rainbow marquee heart. The other rooms also have walls covered in clouds, and there’s even a multicolored bathroom with mirrored wallpaper covered in cherries. Little details everywhere, which means you can spend your time bouncing from room to room and get so many different looks for your photos all in one location.
On top of it all, it’s attached to a vintage photo booth museum, so there’s a custom photo booth disco ball, as well as a disco ball of two pigeons in love for that New York touch. It all feels so fun and playful and makes a white dress really pop against the maximalist colors.
Where To Stay For An Elopement At Sure Thing Chapel NYC
If you are looking for a convenient and walkable hotel close to Sure Thing, here are some of my favorite recommendations:
Nine Orchard (9-min walk) – This luxury boutique hotel has gorgeous suites and so much potential for stunning getting-ready photos. This is also where our styled shoot photos started, so you can see how beautifully the space photographs.
The Ludlow Hotel (6-min walk) – Perfect for beautiful suites with great lighting. There’s also a rooftop terrace with lovely views that are perfect for photos.
PUBLIC Hotel (8-min walk) – This hotel has a much more modern feel and is perfect for couples who want something a bit sleeker and more sophisticated as opposed to a traditional look.
If walkability isn’t a top priority, here are some gorgeous hotels that match the vibe and aesthetic of Sure Thing and also have stunning backdrops.
Hotel Chelsea – This absolutely iconic hotel is lovely to photograph, with lots of color and plenty of NYC history in every corner. We can also take photos in front of the iconic Hotel Chelsea sign out front; these are always my couples’ favorites.
Fifth Avenue Hotel – Colorful, maximalist, luxury, and absolutely perfect for a couple looking for glamorous getting-ready photos.
Fouquet’s New York – With colorful pastels, this hotel brings Parisian vibes right to the heart of NYC.
Warren Street Hotel – Gorgeous creative designs and contemporary art make this perfect spot for photographs that are full of personality.
How to Get Married at Sure Thing Chapel NYC
Step 1: Get your marriage license
Before your wedding day, you NEED to get your New York marriage license separately from Sure Thing. Pro tip: they actually charge a $100 fee if you’re getting married but don’t provide a marriage license at the time of your ceremony, so be sure not to forget it!
While they don’t provide the marriage license, they’ll file it for you. Just remember, no out-of-state marriage licenses are allowed, so you will need to get your New York marriage license first.
Step 2: Choose your wedding date and time
Next, you will want to choose the date and time of your ceremony. Appointments go from 12 pm to 7:30 pm Tuesday through Sunday.
One thing to know is that they are open on weekends, which makes this venue a great alternative to City Hall, which is not open Saturday or Sunday. If you’re planning a weekend wedding, this makes it a particularly great option! Keep in mind weekends book up early, so be sure to snag your spot as soon as you choose your date!
Step 3: Choose your package
Once you have your date set, it’s time to choose your package.
They have four different packages to choose from:
Sure Thing NYC – ½ hour in the space, up to18 guests allowed.
Whole Shebang NYC – 1 hour, up to 25 guests allowed.
Give it a Wurl – 1 hour, and the addition of music played on the vintage Wurlitzer piano.
The Main Attraction – 1 hour, and includes ceremony and entertainment by Tillie the Clown.
Pricing for these packages starts at $666 and goes up to $1,444 depending on your chosen package.
Step 4: Plan your elopement day timeline
I can’t stress how important it is to create a timeline for your elopement day, especially if you are planning at Sure Thing. Since they are appointment-only, they often get booked back-to-back throughout the day at busy times. This means if you’re late or miss your booking, you forfeit the spot with no refund.
This is one of those days where a little extra planning goes a long way. Building in fifteen minutes of breathing room rather than sprinting through downtown Manhattan because your ceremony ran a bit long is so important. This is where having a thoughtful timeline and sticking to it is so important!
Sure Thing Chapel NYC FAQ
When is Sure Thing open?
Sure Thing Chapel NYC is open by appointment only. They accept appointments Tuesday – Sunday from 12 pm to 7:30 pm. This means YES, they are open weekends, unlike City Hall.
How many guests can you have at Sure Thing Chapel NYC?
You are welcome to invite up to eighteen guests if you book the half-hour package, and up to twenty-five guests if you book an hour package. This is such a great option for couples who want to include more people in their wedding or elopement than they typically could at City Hall.
Can you get legally married at Sure Thing Chapel NYC?
Yes, but be sure to get your New York marriage license separately and bring it with you! Keep in mind that Sure Thing also provides an officiant, or you can also book Tillie the drag clown to officiate for something a bit more fun!
Sure Thing allows for a full marriage ceremony, where a legal ceremony will be performed. They also offer a Vow Renewal or Commitment Ceremony, which includes a symbolic ceremony. They also offer just a photoshoot option if you just want to drop in and enjoy the retro vibes for your wedding photos.
Can you bring food and drinks?
No food or drinks are allowed inside, except for sealed water. They don’t stock water for guests, so be sure to plan ahead and bring bottles of water, especially in the warmer months!
Can you throw confetti at Sure Thing Chapel?
They do not allow confetti inside or outside the chapel. But you know I LOVE confetti, so we can always find another place to throw and celebrate. If it’s a weekday while the city clerk’s office is open, we could go there and throw it at the exit; otherwise, I have water-soluble confetti we could throw outside, and it’ll dissolve the next time it rains. Don’t worry, we’ll find a way to get the perfect confetti moment, just not directly outside Sure Thing.
Photography At Sure Thing NYC
I had so much fun photographing this styled shoot at Sure Thing with Maithri and Taylor. From the moment we arrived, we began wandering from room to room, finding cute little corners, colors, and textures to play around with. The photos truly took on the retro vibe of the venue and really showcased how fun and full of personality they can turn out. The photos were even just featured in Green Wedding Shoes!
If you are considering a wedding at Sure Thing NYC, be sure to get in touch. I would love to help you plan a day that fits the aesthetic you’re dreaming up, and be sure to make Sure Thing fit into your wedding photo itinerary. And, of course, we’ll still find a way to get the perfect confetti shot along the way!
Vendors:
Photographer: Sylvie Rosokoff
Venue: Sure Thing NYC
Hotel: Nine Orchard
Florals: Vivi Fleurz
Dessert: Tipsy & Baked
Makeup: Olivia Garvin
Hair: Gabrielle Kim
Nails: Frisky Mariska
Dress: Vintage Bob Mackie from Cha Cha Linda Vintage
Styling: Eva Lopez, owner of Cha Cha Linda Vintage
Jewelry: Bario Neal and Susan Alexandra