Start spreading the news! Luke and Shanelle eloped to New York City before bringing the party back to Glasgow a month later
Fancy eloping to New York from Scotland? Luke and Shanelle's real wedding combines a New York City Hall elopement with a relaxed Glasgow wedding reception at The Haberdashery, both events stylish city celebrations.
Wedding highlights at a glance
Elopement ceremony venue | New York City Hall
Glasgow reception venue | The Haberdashery, Glasgow
Date | 22nd May 2025 (New York) & 22nd June 2025 (Glasgow party)
New York photography | Parker’s Pictures
Glasgow photography | Simon Palmer Photo
Guests | 60 (Glasgow celebration)
Decor | Minimal, chic styling with New York-inspired details
Ceremony | Intimate elopement at New York City Hall
Entertainment | DJ, speeches and dancing
From Glasgow to New York: a City Hall elopement
Luke and Shanelle’s story began in Glasgow, but their wedding plans took them further afield. After a chance meeting in a local bar, they found themselves deciding between a traditional Scottish wedding or eloping abroad.
“We were really lucky to have support from our families to go ahead with ultimately what we really wanted, which was getting married overseas just the two of us in a small ceremony,” says Shanelle.
New York felt like the natural choice. “We’d fallen hard for the city after our first trip there in September 2023,” she explains, “especially as Luke popped the question in a quiet spot in Central Park!”
Planning a New York City Hall wedding proved straightforward. “It was super-easy getting married there,” Shanelle says.
“You just need to book two appointments at City Hall. The first is to get the wedding licence, and then the ceremony can be booked for a minimum of 24 hours later.”
A simple, meaningful New York wedding ceremony
Their ceremony was intentionally low-key but memorable. “It was short and sweet and perfect for us as we didn’t fancy a big audience. There is just so much love in the room at City Hall as you’re surrounded by lots of other couples who are also getting married.”
After arriving in New York, they secured their licence, married two days later and captured the experience with their photographer before heading to City Hall in a yellow taxi. “That felt like such a Carrie Bradshaw moment!”
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Their wedding style reflected the setting. “We wanted to have timeless photos to look back on, so kept our style classic, chic and simple, since the NYC backdrop itself is so stunning.”
Shanelle chose a Halfpenny London mini dress, while Luke opted for a black tuxedo from Reiss. “He was going for the James Bond aesthetic,” she adds.
A relaxed wedding reception at The Haberdashery Glasgow
A month later, the celebrations continued with a Glasgow wedding reception at The Haberdashery. Hosting around 60 guests, the couple chose the venue for its character and atmosphere.
“It has a romantic feel and gorgeous exposed brick that we loved,” says Shanelle.
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The day focused on a relaxed, social atmosphere, with speeches, cocktails and dancing forming the core of the evening. A close friend also led a small handfasting ceremony, adding a personal Scottish touch.
Food nodded back to their New York elopement. “We also served pizza slices from Civerinos to keep with the New York theme,” she says.
Why combining an elopement and Glasgow wedding works
For Luke and Shanelle, splitting their wedding into two parts gave them the best of both worlds. “We had the most special time in Manhattan, and it was all centred around us. It was stress-free and we were together the whole day,” says Shanelle.
Her advice to other couples considering a destination elopement and UK wedding celebration is clear:
“If you’re leaning towards marrying abroad and/or eloping and you know in your hearts it’s what you want, I’d say definitely do it!”
How to plan a New York wedding from the UK
Importantly, the Glasgow celebration meant they could still share the experience. “We still got to have the beautiful memories and experience of the home party with our loved ones which was incredibly important to us.”
New York wedding suppliers
Wedding ceremony New York City Hall
Photography Parker’s Pictures
Wedding dress Halfpenny London from The White Closet Manchester
Accessories Etsy veil, mum’s pearl hair pins, Astrid & Miyu pearl earrings and Monica Vinader bracelet
Groomswear Reiss
Post-ceremony cocktails Nubeluz
Wedding dinner The River Cafe
Hotel The Ludlow
Nails Paintedbycourtney
Makeup Bride did her own
Glasgow wedding suppliers
Venue The Haberdashery, Glasgow
Photography Simon Palmer Photo
Makeup Rhomani Beauty
Flowers Flùr London and Badablooms Glasgow
Cake Burns Bakes
Pizza Civerinos
Canapés Nosh by Sara
DJ David Sinclair
