Covid-19 sparks Vegas-style weddings in New York
Las Vegas-style wedding chapels have begun springing up in New York, as couples shun big ceremonies in favour of smaller nuptials in the age of Covid.
Before the pandemic, New Yorkers had little option but to either head to one of the five borough’s city halls for a civil service, or elope to Atlantic City in neighbouring New Jersey.
Despite life quickly getting back to normal in New York - which now allows parties of up to 150 people - many no longer yearn for the huge fairytale weddings they once did.
Wedding planners say the virus has forced a major rethinking on the way couples are choosing to celebrate.
“I noticed that the wedding industry bubble was about to pop,” said Julie Ginta, owner of Sweet Hearts, one of several small chapels to open in the last 18 months.
“Because of Pinterest, because of people seeing insane, over-the-top things, I had this feeling like ‘What’s next? Are we going to start chartering private jets?’ I really felt for those couples that felt ‘This just isn’t for me.’”
Covid dealt a huge hit to the US’s massive $73 billion (£52bn) wedding industry last year, with some 80 per cent of couples cancelling their big day.
In 2019, the average wedding cost nearly $25,000 - most of which going toward the reception, according to market research firm Wedding Report.
In Manhattan, a restaurant or private room for a handful of guests can easily cost five figures, while public spaces such as Central Park require permits, which can be a laborious process.
Sweet Hearts, a self-described “high-end alternative to getting hitched at the courthouse or flying to Vegas”, is helping them tie the knot on a much smaller budget.
For $650, a couple gets an hour in the chapel, a ceremony led by Ms Guinta, who is ordained through the Universal Life Church, or their own officiant; chairs for up to 10 guests; and a “honeymoon bag” of goodies.
For an additional $500, a photographer will capture the event.
Another, Love Chapel NYC, which opened on the Upper West Side in January, offers: “a complete mini wedding with a DIY touch of bringing your own food, drinks and cake” for $900.
Bridal shops too have noticed a change in the market, reporting a rise in the number of women buying simpler dresses with shorter hems.
A woman who asked that only her first name be published, afraid her parents would see, said the pandemic had given her and her fiance a “great excuse” to have the private ceremony they had always wanted.
“Covid was actually a great cover for us to do things our way,” Sarah, 32, told The Telegraph. “I had always been a bit scared, honestly, to tell my mum I didn’t want a big fuss. Sometimes they think the day is all about them.”
Ms Guinta told the New York Times couples are starting to put themselves first. “We’ve lost so much, and grown so much,’ she said. “After Covid, I hope that continues on.”
