Lyla Dejesus
New York has allowed weddings since April 2020, when Governor Cuomo signed an executive order allowing virtual weddings to take place. This was in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, New York has allowed wedding receptions with up to 150 people as long as all attendees get tested for COVID-19 beforehand. The state has also introduced legislation that allows individuals to become one-day marriage officiants, meaning that couples can now be married by their friends or family.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding receptions allowed | Yes, up to 150 people with Covid-19 testing |
| Virtual wedding ceremonies allowed | Yes, with certain criteria |
| In-person wedding ceremonies allowed | Yes |
| One-day officiants allowed | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Virtual weddings allowed
In April 2020, New York State announced that it would allow virtual weddings to take place. This decision was made in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the need for social distancing. Governor Cuomo signed an executive order allowing bureau clerks to perform wedding ceremonies virtually and for couples to obtain marriage licenses remotely. This meant that couples could get married over video conferencing platforms such as Zoom, as long as they presented valid photo ID and were physically in the state of New York.
The ability to have virtual weddings brought joy to thousands of couples in New York whose wedding plans had been affected by the pandemic. It also helped to address logistical issues, such as health insurance and expiring visas, which meant that some couples needed to get married sooner rather than later.
The executive order also impacted wedding officiants in New York, who were previously unable to officiate virtual wedding ceremonies. The new order changed these rules, ushering in a new era of virtual wedding ceremonies in the state.
In addition to virtual weddings, New York also allowed in-person wedding receptions with up to 150 people as long as all attendees were tested for COVID-19 beforehand and the events were approved by local health departments. This was the first step in Governor Cuomo's plan to reopen some events and venues in the state with the help of increased rapid testing.
Overall, the decision to allow virtual weddings in New York provided flexibility and joy for couples during a challenging time. It also set a precedent for other states to follow in finding ways to allow couples to get married while still complying with social distancing mandates.
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Wedding receptions with up to 150 people
In April 2024, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the state would allow wedding receptions with a maximum of 150 people. This was an increase from the previous limit of 50 people for outdoor gatherings and 10 people for indoor gatherings. The new rules for receptions took effect on March 15, 2024, and were part of Governor Cuomo's initiative to reopen certain events and venues in the state.
To hold a wedding reception with up to 150 people, couples must first obtain approval from their local health department. All attendees, including the couple getting married, must also undergo Covid-19 testing before the event. The guest count is limited to either 150 people or 50% of the venue's capacity, whichever is smaller.
This change in policy was implemented as a way to bring back larger gatherings in a safe and controlled manner. Governor Cuomo emphasized the importance of increased rapid testing as a key component of his plan to reopen New York. By requiring all guests to be tested ahead of time, the state could manage the potential spread of Covid-19 while still allowing for larger celebrations.
In addition to the testing requirement, there may be other safety protocols that couples planning their wedding receptions must consider. These could include social distancing measures, mask mandates, or providing hand sanitizing stations. Couples should refer to the latest guidelines provided by the local health department to ensure their event complies with all necessary safety standards.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that this announcement came after New York had already taken steps to accommodate couples during the pandemic. In 2020, Governor Cuomo signed an executive order allowing virtual wedding ceremonies to be legally recognized. This enabled couples to marry online, with clerks performing the ceremonies via video conference. The state also introduced Project Cupid, an initiative that allowed couples to obtain marriage licenses online.
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One-day officiants
In New York, a new law that went into effect on March 28, 2023, allows residents over the age of 18 to apply for a one-day designation to perform marriage ceremonies in the state. This law was passed after 16 years of campaigning, and New York joined California, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Rhode Island in allowing laypeople to become officiants for a day.
Previously, only ordained members of the clergy and certain government officials were permitted to perform marriages in New York. This caused issues for some couples, as marriages performed by officiants ordained online were not legally recognized in some counties, including Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester. In one case, a couple from Suffolk County discovered their marriage and prenuptial agreement were void because the officiant had been a Universal Life Church minister.
The new law provides a clear alternative to avoid misunderstandings regarding the validity of nontraditional ministers. Couples can now opt for a friend or family member to officiate their wedding, as long as they are designated as a one-day officiant. This can add a personal touch to the ceremony and make it more meaningful for the couple.
If you are planning a wedding in New York and want to take advantage of the one-day officiant law, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, check with your local county to ensure that they recognize marriages performed by one-day officiants. Second, the designated officiant will need to finalize the marriage paperwork and ensure it is received by the corresponding Marriage Bureau within five working days. They can also help create a unique and memorable ceremony, including suggestions for readings, poems, quotes, and speeches.
While New York has allowed virtual weddings during the COVID-19 pandemic, with clerks performing ceremonies over video, there is no substitute for celebrating with your loved ones in person. As the state continues to reopen, couples can now host wedding receptions with up to 150 people, as long as all attendees are tested for COVID-19 beforehand and the event is approved by local health departments.
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In-person wedding licenses
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, New York State allowed couples to obtain marriage licenses remotely and permitted clerks to carry out ceremonies via video conference. This decision, announced by Governor Cuomo, was made to enable couples to get married while adhering to social distancing requirements.
As of April 2024, New York State permits wedding receptions with up to 150 attendees, provided that all guests are tested for COVID-19 beforehand. The events must be approved by local health departments, and the guest count is limited to the smaller of the 150-person cap or 50% of the venue's capacity. These guidelines for receptions are part of Governor Cuomo's initiative to reopen various sectors in the state, including offices, businesses, and the arts, through increased rapid testing.
While New York State previously allowed virtual weddings, it is not clear whether this is still an option as of April 2024. The text and specific details of the executive order permitting remote marriage licenses and virtual weddings were not available at the time of its announcement. Therefore, it is advisable to refer to the latest government sources for current rules and guidelines regarding in-person wedding licenses and virtual weddings in New York State.
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Video marriage ceremonies
During the pandemic, New York allowed virtual marriage ceremonies, letting clerks marry couples over the internet instead of in person. Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order in April 2020, stating:
> I am issuing an Executive Order allowing New Yorkers to obtain a marriage license remotely and allowing clerks to perform ceremonies via video conference.
This decision was made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, allowing couples to get married in compliance with social distancing mandates. It also brought joy to thousands of couples in New York whose wedding ceremonies had been put on hold. Couples could be married via video conferencing platforms such as Zoom, with some even choosing to wear pyjamas for their digital nuptials.
However, in June 2021, Governor Cuomo lifted the executive order, meaning weddings by video are no longer allowed in New York. The state now allows wedding receptions with up to 150 people, providing all attendees are tested for COVID-19 beforehand and the event is approved by the local health department.
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Frequently asked questions
New York has allowed weddings to take place since April 2020, albeit with restrictions.
Wedding receptions are limited to 150 people or 50% capacity, whichever is smaller. All guests must be tested for COVID-19 beforehand, and the events must be approved by local health departments.
Yes, but virtual weddings are also an option.
New York has allowed individuals to become one-day marriage officiants since 2023.
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