Have you ever seen a newlywed couple dazed and giggling while walking past your local city hall? They’re in such a hurry, tripping over the joy of complete strangers. Last month, the photographer Christine Han And I passed by Manhattan’s City Hall and chatted with a New York newlywed…
Eleni and Byron
How did you first come together?
Eleni: We have been a couple for two and a half years, but we have known each other for 24 years.
Byron: We met as teenagers crossing the street. We just happened to meet on a summer afternoon in Queens. This smiling 15-year-old girl came over and said hello.
What happened next?
Eleni: We lost touch and met again at university through a mutual friend, but then life happened and we didn’t see each other for a long time. We both married other people, but those marriages have since dissolved. Now we have a second chance at love.
victoria and alex
Why did you choose City Hall for your wedding?
Victoria: My parents got married here. I’m a New Yorker and Alex is a New Yorker now, so this feels like a special place.
What do you enjoy about being her partner?
Alex: Seeing her smile and making her laugh is the highlight of my life.
james and chase
What did you do on your first date?
James: We met in business school in Boston and had our first date at a place called . honeycomb. When I finally stood up, the entire tablecloth fell to the ground, along with everything else. We survived it.
Chase: So we ended up closing the bar. It was perfect.
francisco and ashley
When was the first time you crossed paths?
Francisco: We were in the same first grade classroom.
no way! How long have you been together?
Both: 14 years.
When did you decide to get married?
Ashley: It was a long time ago, but we, you know, have two kids! Life!
Daphne (left) and Jennifer
What do you like about each other?
Jennifer: Her patience, empathy, and caring. I always get irritated and I’m the most intense, but she calms me down.
Daphne: And I love her energy and life. We have been together for 9 years. She proposed in 2023 and I proposed in 2024.
Please tell us about this wonderful costume.
Daphne: My suit is good american. My family works in the fashion industry, so they designed a cape to add to my outfit.
Jennifer: Bloomingdale’s!
Terry and Jacobus
How did you meet?
Terry: It was a Monday night in 2018. I don’t go out much on Mondays, but my friend Jack kept texting me saying he wanted to meet his friend Jacobus.
Jacobus: We were all hanging out, eating hamburgers, and playing pool. Then at some point we both left and walked to Tompkins Square Park. We sat on a bench and talked for three hours.
Terry: I went home and called my sister and said, “This is so unbelievable!” I was really happy to meet someone I could talk to for hours.
Jakubas: Nothing has changed since then. And here we are.
What makes you a good partner?
Terry: He sees things completely differently than I do, and his perspective can turn my idea of ​​life upside down in a scary but positive way.
Jacobus: We certainly see things differently, but honestly, I wouldn’t want it any other way. If we had the same perspective, I would lose a lot.
Hilary and Ben
How did you propose?
Ben: We were in Switzerland on a trip celebrating our 10th anniversary.
Hilary: We had been dating for a long time, so I knew it was going to happen on that trip, but I didn’t know what day it was. So, at that moment, I was really surprised!
What do you like about each other?
Hilary: He always supports me and loves me very much.
Ben: She makes me see the good in things. Not just in her, but in everything.
Congratulations! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful days with us. Just kidding, what about the photos of new mayor Zoran Mamdani and Rama Dowaj’s wedding at City Hall?
PS Other city hall weddings:
* Weddings at 4 City Halls from 2023 onwards
* 7 weddings held at City Hall since 2019
* Wedding at San Francisco City Hall (and then a hike!)
*A kind couple married with a toddler
*And a friend who got married wearing overalls
(Mandani and Dhwaj wedding photos: carla mccurdy. All other photos are Christine Han (for joe cup)
Source: Cup of Jo – cupofjo.com
