New York City is hoping people will forget Vegas and start getting married in the Big Apple. On Monday, a new 24,000-square-foot space opens, complete with photo walls for taking pictures, video screens to monitor wait times, wedding chapels with gauzy curtains and painted murals, and a shop selling fresh flowers, disposable cameras, and fake diamond rings for $9. The new space was designed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s favorite decorator, Jamie Drake, who worked on his Upper East Side town house. “We want to be the wedding destination of the world,” said Deputy Mayor Patti Harris. This goal is not unreasonable. In 2008, NYC issued nearly 70,000 marriage licenses, while Clark County, where Las Vegas is located, issued 95,888. Since I’ve never been married or anything, I was kind of shocked to find out it costs just $35 to get a marriage license in New York, and having your ceremony at the new Marriage Bureau is $25 extra. The memories? They’re priceless, of course. [HuffPo]
