A Beacon courthouse elopement offers the perfect combination of simplicity and romance. Instead of months of planning and a complicated wedding day timeline, you can focus on what truly matters: marrying the person you love in a charming Hudson Valley town with incredible photo opportunities just steps away.

Beacon City Hall Wedding Process

The process for getting married at Beacon City Hall is refreshingly straightforward. Beacon City Hall hosts wedding ceremonies on Tuesdays, typically around noon. The intimate setting inside the courthouse creates a meaningful moment without the stress of a large production. Whether you want just the two of you or prefer to invite a handful of close loved ones, a Beacon elopement lets you design your day exactly as you envision it.

Getting Your Marriage License in Beacon

Start by applying for your marriage license through the City of Beacon’s online self service portal. The fee is $40, payable by credit card or check. After submitting your application online, you’ll need to email your photo IDs, birth records including parents’ names, and documentation of any prior marriages to records@beaconny.gov. The City Clerk’s office will review your documents and contact you to schedule an in person signing. Once issued, your license is valid for 60 days and there is a 24 hour waiting period before your ceremony can take place.

Booking Your Beacon Courthouse Ceremony

Contact the City Clerk’s office at 1 Municipal Plaza, Suite 1, Beacon, NY 12508 or email beaconcityclerk@beaconny.gov to reserve your Tuesday wedding slot. Ceremonies are typically held around noon. The City Clerk’s office also offers one day officiant licenses for $25 if you want a friend or family member to perform your ceremony.

What to Expect on Your Elopement Day

On the day of your Beacon courthouse elopement, you and your partner will enter the courthouse together. You can bring just the two of you or invite close loved ones to witness your ceremony. The ceremony itself is short and sweet. You’ll exchange vows, sign your marriage paperwork, and officially become married. The entire process takes only a few minutes, leaving the rest of your day free for celebration and photos.

Best Photo Locations for Beacon Elopements

After your courthouse ceremony, head outside with your photographer to capture portraits. If you invited loved ones, this is the perfect time to take group photos before exploring Beacon’s beautiful photo locations.

Beacon Photo Locations Within Walking Distance

Beacon offers several stunning spots for elopement portraits right in town. Long Dock Park provides sweeping Hudson River views with the dramatic Hudson Highlands as your backdrop, plus an environmental sculpture that adds architectural interest to your images. Madam Brett Park along Fishkill Creek offers woodland paths and a peaceful natural setting. Beacon’s historic Main Street gives you colorful storefronts, interesting textures, and authentic small town character for candid street style portraits. Memorial Park just off Main Street features mature trees and soft dappled light perfect for romantic images. Fishkill Creek and Overlook Falls near The Roundhouse offers dramatic waterfall views with industrial architecture in the background.

Scenic Photo Locations Near Beacon

If you want even more dramatic scenery for your elopement portraits, several beautiful locations are just a short drive from Beacon.

Little Stony Point Park in Cold Spring sits within Hudson Highlands State Park and features a sandy beach, rocky shoreline, and panoramic views of Storm King Mountain and the Hudson River. The easy trails make it accessible even in wedding attire, and the varied landscapes provide endless photo opportunities.

Dockside Park in Cold Spring is a picturesque waterfront park with views of the Hudson Highlands, West Point, and Breakneck Ridge. The recently restored shoreline and charming village setting make it ideal for couples who want river views without a hike.

For something truly spectacular, Boscobel House and Gardens in Garrison offers 68 acres of manicured gardens, a stunning neoclassical mansion, and what many call the Hudson Valley’s most beautiful river views. Note that professional photography at Boscobel requires a permit and fee, which must be approved in advance. Contact them directly to arrange access for your elopement portraits.

Where to Eat After Your Beacon Courthouse Wedding

Since your Tuesday elopement wraps up around midday, you’ll have perfect timing for a celebratory lunch at one of Beacon’s excellent restaurants.

Beacon Lunch Spots for Elopement Celebrations

The Wild Kitchen and Bar emphasizes farm to table dining with ingredients sourced from their own Titusville Farm. The mostly vegetarian, completely gluten free menu features creative dishes and inventive cocktails in an industrial inspired space with beautiful natural light.

Cooper’s occupies one of Beacon’s oldest continuously operating bar locations, offering a casual and comfortable atmosphere with 16 beers on tap and classic American pub fare. It’s perfect for couples who want a relaxed celebration.

Melzingah Tap House features 23 craft beers on tap, a fantastic cocktail menu, and elevated pub food. The warm wooden decor creates an inviting space for an intimate post ceremony meal.

Ziatun serves authentic Palestinian and Middle Eastern cuisine with both traditional meat dishes and excellent vegan and vegetarian options. The cozy atmosphere and flavorful dishes make it a memorable choice for your wedding lunch.

Beacon Elopement Vendors and Services

Even a simple courthouse elopement benefits from professional support. Here are local vendors to help make your day special.

Bridal Makeup and Hair in Beacon

The Blushery on Main Street is Beacon’s award winning beauty studio, offering professional bridal makeup, skincare, and brow services. Owner Stephanie Jones has been named Best Makeup Artist by Hudson Valley Magazine, and the team specializes in wedding day looks ranging from natural beauty to full glam. They can come to your getting ready location or you can visit their boutique style studio.

Beacon also has several excellent salons for hair styling, so you’ll have no trouble finding someone to create the perfect look for your elopement day.

Wedding Dresses in Beacon

Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique in downtown Beacon offers a personalized wedding dress shopping experience with gowns in a range of styles, sizes, and price points. Their curated collection includes designs from Justin Alexander, Hayley Paige, Madison James, and other leading bridal designers. Even for an elopement, finding the perfect dress makes the day feel special.

Elopement Florals in Beacon

For a courthouse elopement, you don’t need elaborate floral arrangements, but a beautiful bouquet and boutonniere elevate your portraits and make the ceremony feel complete.

Raven Rose on Main Street offers a la carte wedding florals including signature bouquets and boutonnieres perfect for elopements. Their streamlined ordering process requires less lead time than full wedding floral packages, and owner Courtney creates stunning garden style arrangements that photograph beautifully.

Witch Hazel is another Beacon option for custom floral design. They offer bouquets and arrangements with a focus on creative, non generic designs. For weddings, they request a minimum of 8 weeks notice for custom work.

Planning Your Beacon Elopement Timeline

The key to a successful courthouse elopement is reaching out to vendors well in advance. Even though your wedding day is simple, you’ll want to secure your City Clerk appointment, book your photographer, and confirm availability with any vendors you plan to use. Most Beacon vendors are familiar with elopements and can accommodate shorter timelines, but earlier planning gives you more options.

Why Choose a Beacon Courthouse Elopement

A Beacon elopement offers everything couples love about destination weddings without the complications. You’re just 90 minutes from New York City by car or Metro North train, making it easy for you and any guests to reach. The charming downtown provides walkable access to restaurants, shops, and photo locations. And the Hudson Valley scenery creates a romantic backdrop that rivals any traditional wedding venue.

Most importantly, a courthouse elopement lets you focus on your marriage rather than a wedding production. You’ll spend your day enjoying each other’s company, exploring a beautiful town, and celebrating your commitment, which is exactly what a wedding day should be.

Whether you envision just the two of you exchanging vows or want to share the moment with your closest people, a Beacon courthouse elopement creates meaningful memories without the stress. Contact the Beacon City Clerk’s office to start planning your Tuesday ceremony, book your photographer, and get ready for the most romantic Tuesday of your life.