How to elope in the Catskills: licenses, places and timing

I photograph 8 to 10 elopements a year, most of them in the Catskills. These are the questions couples ask me before they book.

The legal part

You need a marriage license from a town or city clerk in New York State. It costs $40 in most towns and $35 in New York City, you have to wait 24 hours after it’s issued, and it’s valid for 60 days. You need an officiant and at least one witness who is 18 or older. A friend can officiate if they are ordained; ask the clerk in the town where you’ll marry whether online ordination is accepted there.

Where to go

• Overlook Mountain, Woodstock: a little over two miles each way on a wide trail, with big views east over the Hudson Valley. Good for sunrise.

• The Kaaterskill Falls area: short walks, but busy from late morning. Go early on a weekday.

• North-South Lake: easy access and flat ground by the water, for couples who don’t want to hike.

• A private field or farm: many farms will host a small ceremony for a fee, and you can bring chairs and a picnic.

Two people and a friend on a trail is no different from a hike. Larger groups, or any setup such as chairs, an arch or catering, may need a temporary permit from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Overlook is in DEC Region 3, and Kaaterskill and North-South Lake are in Region 4; call the regional office for the place you have in mind.

Timing

Sunrise gives you empty trails and the fog that sits in the valleys from September to November. It also means starting in the dark: for Overlook I plan 80 minutes up with headlamps. Sunset is easier on everyone and leaves time for dinner afterwards. Avoid October Saturday afternoons anywhere near Kaaterskill Falls.

What it costs

My Elopement collection is $3,200 for up to three hours, including the hike. Many couples book a dinner afterwards and ask me to stay for the first hour of it, which is $450.