How to Elope at the Boston Public Library

Ever wanted to get married in the Boston Public Library? Thanks to their new 1 hour elopement ceremonies program, you can easily tie the knot in this elegant and historic library. 

Since just announcing the program in May of 2022 with the first ceremonies available in June, the library has booked out every available Monday through the end of September. Dates in October will become available 90 days before the event date. Couples wishing to elope this fall at BPL can submit their application in July here and read more about their regulations. 

As one of the first photographers to work with the new BPL elopement program, this post is to help give information about the process and answer some questions of what your day at the library could look like!

Where is the ceremony room? 

The ceremonies take place in the Gustavino Room. When you first enter the library from the main entrance (outside of Copley Square), you turn right and it is the last door on the right at the end of the hall. The ceremony room is set up with 8 chairs set up for your guests. There is a small table in the back where you can set down any bouquets or even a small bluetooth speaker. 

How many people can you have at your Boston Public Library elopement? 

You are allowed to invite 8 guests to witness your ceremony, plus an officiant and a photographer. 

How much does it cost to elope at the Boston Public Library? 

It is only $200 to reserve the room at the BPL. This reserves the Guastavino Room for 1 hour. 

You will also need to factor in:

Marriage License: Fees vary by town, but are typically between $50-100. You can find more information on how to apply for a marriage license here. Also be sure to check out this post for more information on what to do after your wedding to change your name, etc.

Officiant: You will need to hire your own officiant or Justice of the Peace to make your marriage official. Officiants/JP are about $100-300. You could also ask one of your friends to get a 1 day designation. It is $25 for them to apply and a very simple process to submit (you can find more info here). You may apply anywhere from 6 months to one week before the wedding.

Photographer: $1000-3000, depending on how much coverage you require. At Tessa Klingensmith Photography, we have a 2 hour minimum for custom elopement packages. This helps ensure we can tell the entire story of your day, from the ceremony to family photos, to even exploring additional portraits in the surrounding downtown. My hourly rate for custom elopement packages is $500. 

Other Vendors: Depending on what your vision is for the day some, other vendors and costs to consider are a florist and a hair and makeup artist. Florals can range between $100-600. Hair and Makeup artists can range between $50-250.

So you can expect to pay anywhere from $1500-4000 for your Boston Public Library elopement. These prices don’t include wedding attire, rings, transportation etc. 

Can you have your couples portraits taken anywhere in the BLP? 

No. You are able to take pictures inside the Guustavino Room or outside the front of the building. The rest of the library is off limits for photography.

After your hour is up, you can wander around downtown Boston with your photographer to get some additional portraits to document your day. Some popular spots are Copley Square, Boston Public Garden, and Back Bay. 

Are there any restrictions to what you can bring to the BPL for your elopement? 

Food and drinks are not allowed. You are also not allowed any live music, but you can bring a small bluetooth speaker and play music. Any additional furniture, signs or decorations are not permitted. You are also not allowed to bring any rice, confetti or other similar celebratory items to throw. 

Planning Your Boston Public Library Elopement

If you are looking for a unique, simple venue for your elopement, 1 hour wedding ceremonies at the BPL could be perfect for you! Contact Tessa Klingensmith Photography today to check my availability for your elopement!

Photographer: Tessa Klingensmith Photography

Venue: Boston Public Library

Florist: Waltham Florist