A Home Wedding,A New Beginning

A Union City NJ elopement that started with a phone call from a wedding godfather — el padrino de bodas — and ended with a couple fully married, fully legal, and ready to begin their new life in America.

In Dominican culture, the wedding godfather is a trusted figure — someone who steps in to make things happen for the people he loves. When he called Simple Marriages, he was calling on behalf of his goddaughter and her partner, a couple living in Elizabeth, NJ who were new to this country and didn’t know where to begin.

They wanted to get married in Union City. They wanted something small — just the two of them, a handful of family and close friends, and a ceremony that felt warm and personal. What they didn’t have was a roadmap. The marriage license process, the legal requirements, the name change paperwork that comes after — all of it was unfamiliar territory.

That’s exactly why Simple Marriages exists.

“He called us as the wedding godfather — el padrino — speaking on behalf of two people who were new to this country and needed someone to guide them every step of the way.”

— Simple Marriages, on this Union City ceremony

From Elizabeth to Union City — We Guided Every Step

Our first conversation covered everything. We explained the New Jersey marriage license process in detail — where to go, what to bring, how long it takes. We walked them through what to expect on the day of the ceremony. And we made sure they knew that after the vows, we’d be there to help the bride navigate the name change process — something that can feel overwhelming when you’re still learning how systems work in a new country.

For this couple, having a bilingual officiant wasn’t just a convenience — it was essential. Every step of the process happened in both English and Spanish, so nothing was lost, nothing was unclear, and nothing stood between them and their wedding day.

Exchanging vows at home — Union City, NJ. Intimate, legal, and completely personal.

Step-by-Step: Getting Your Marriage License in New Jersey

For couples new to New Jersey — whether you live in Union City, Elizabeth, or anywhere in Hudson or Union County — the marriage license process is straightforward once you know the steps. We guide every couple through it personally.

How to Get Married in New Jersey: The Essentials

• Apply in the town where you live — this couple applied at Elizabeth City Hall since they reside in Elizabeth, NJ
• Both partners must appear in person with valid government-issued photo ID
• New Jersey requires a 72-hour waiting period after the license is issued
• You have 6 months from the application date to pick up the license — once picked up, it is valid for 30 days
• No blood test required in New Jersey
• Bring proof of any prior divorces or annulments if applicable
• After the ceremony, the signed license must be filed in the town where the ceremony took place — in this case, Union City
• Your marriage certificate is also obtained from Union City, since that is where the ceremony occurred — Simple Marriages handles the filing for you
• We also assist with the name change process after the ceremony — Social Security, DMV, and more

This Union City NJ Elopement: Their Home, Their Rules, Their Moment

The ceremony took place at the home of a close friend in Union City — a space that had been transformed with care and love. Teal and white balloon arrangements filled the room. A simple backdrop set the scene. It felt ceremonial without feeling staged, warm without feeling casual. This was a room that knew what was about to happen, and it was ready.

Family and friends gathered close — the handful of people who mattered most, the ones who had been there through everything. And when the vows began, the room filled with exactly the kind of energy that can’t be manufactured: the real thing.

One detail worth noting for couples in a similar situation: even though this couple lives in Elizabeth, their ceremony took place in Union City — which means the signed marriage license is filed with Union City after the ceremony. Union City is also where they would go to obtain a certified copy of their marriage certificate down the road. Simple Marriages handled all of the filing, so the couple never had to worry about a single form.

When the vows were spoken, there was laughter — the genuine, joyful kind that you can’t plan and can’t fake. That moment, captured in the photos, says everything about who this couple is and what this day meant to them.

The moment laughter took over — because real love is also joy.

“Porque el amor no tiene idioma.”Because love has no language — Simple Marriages

After the “I Do”: Name Change Assistance

For many couples — especially those new to the United States — the legal process doesn’t end at “I do.” Changing your name after marriage in New Jersey involves multiple agencies: the Social Security Administration, the New Jersey DMV, your bank, your employer, and more. For someone still learning how American institutions work, it can feel like a second mountain to climb.

Simple Marriages offers name change assistance as part of our full-service approach to every ceremony. We provide a clear, step-by-step guide through the entire process — in English and Spanish — so the paperwork never gets in the way of the celebration.

“Servimos en inglés y español — porque el amor no tiene idioma.”We serve in English & Spanish — because love has no language

The Witnesses: Signing What Love Makes Official

Every legal marriage in New Jersey requires witnesses — people who stand beside the couple and sign the marriage license to make it official. For this ceremony, the signing happened with smiles at the table where the celebration would soon continue. The wedding godfather who made the call that started everything was there to see it through to the end.

Making it official — witnesses and officiant signing the marriage license in Union City, NJ

Why Hudson County Couples Choose Simple Marriages

Since 2009, Simple Marriages has been the trusted choice for couples across Hudson County, Union County, and beyond who want to get married on their own terms. We’re veteran-owned, fully bilingual in English and Spanish, and we’ve guided hundreds of couples — including many who are new to this country — through every step of the process from marriage license to final vows to name change.

We understand that for some couples, the biggest barrier isn’t the ceremony — it’s not knowing how the system works. We remove that barrier entirely. Whether you speak English, Spanish, or both, whether you want a home ceremony or a park elopement, we’ll make sure your wedding day is exactly what it should be: yours.

Is a Home Elopement Right for You?

Not every elopement happens in a park or on a waterfront. Some of the most beautiful ceremonies we’ve ever performed have happened in living rooms, backyards, and decorated apartments — spaces that belong to the couple, filled with the people they love most. A home ceremony gives you total control over the environment, the guest list, and the atmosphere. There are no park permits, no weather concerns, and no strangers walking through your backdrop.

If you’re based in Union City, Elizabeth, or anywhere in Hudson or Union County and you’re thinking about a home ceremony — we’d love to talk. We serve couples across Northern New Jersey and New York City, and we bring the same professionalism, warmth, and bilingual care to every home we step into.

Ready to Begin Your New Chapter?

Serving Union City, Elizabeth, Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne, and all of Hudson & Union County, NJ since 2009. Bilingual English & Spanish. We guide you from marriage license to name change.Free Consultation

Bilingual English & Spanish · Veteran-Owned · 800+ Ceremonies · Name Change Assistance