Love is in the Dale: Tying the Knot at Village Hall

Ashley Fraser and Mikhail MilesNot everyone visits Scarsdale Village Hall to pay a parking fine or settle a tax bill. In fact, some take a trip to Village Hall for a far more meaningful reason, marking one of the happiest days of their lives. Why? In 2024, the Village hosted 19 wedding ceremonies and issued 49 marriage licenses at Village Hall and the library.

These ceremonies are officiated by the Village’s appointed marriage officers, selected each year at the first meeting of the newly elected Village Board. Currently, the Village’s marriage officers are Deputy Mayor Gruenberg, Trustee Karen Brew, and Former Trustee Deb Pekarek.

Deputy Mayor Gruenberg explained, “We conduct wedding ceremonies during the Village’s regular business hours, Monday through Friday, from 9 AM to 5 PM. While many couples opt for the charming Rutherford Hall, we're also happy to perform ceremonies at other locations within the Village. I’ve officiated weddings at the picturesque Library Pond and the grassy area next to Village Hall—it's about creating a meaningful setting for the couple, as well as a great spot for photos."

Each officiant has a unique style, and Deputy Mayor Gruenberg adds her personal touch to every ceremony. "I spend time researching vows and looking for meaningful quotes or poems to include. I typically offer three sets of vows for couples to choose from, though some choose to write their own, which makes the ceremony even more personal. I won’t deny it—there have been moments when I’ve teared up during a particularly touching exchange of vows. Whether couples come with a crowd of loved ones or alone, every ceremony is special. It’s become common for family and friends to join virtually via FaceTime or Zoom, so no one misses the moment."
Gruenberg continues, "This part of my job as Deputy Mayor is one of my favorite responsibilities. Being part of such a joyous occasion is an incredible honor. Getting to know the couple, their families, and their stories makes each ceremony unique. I especially love including children in the ceremony—whether they carry the rings or play another special role."

She also reflects on the variety of experiences. "Some couples are rushing to marry before relocating abroad, while others have been together for years and decide, often spontaneously, to tie the knot. December was especially busy, as many couples came to Scarsdale after New York City Hall paused weddings. I officiated three ceremonies in one day! Regardless of the circumstances, every ceremony is a celebration of love, and it’s an absolute privilege to be part of it."

Gruenberg always makes a point to take a picture with the couple after the ceremony, capturing the joy of their special moment. "They often thank me, but honestly, I feel like I should be thanking them. Every ceremony is a bright spot in my day, and it’s impossible not to feel uplifted by their happiness. That photo serves as a reminder of the privilege I have in sharing such a meaningful milestone."

Trustee Karen Brew shared her thoughts on being a wedding officiant: “It’s so enjoyable to be part of a couple’s special day, as they embark on a new chapter full of hope and promise. I recently officiated a wedding where the couple wrote their own vows. Their vows told the beautiful story of their seven-year relationship and what each person meant to the other. The groom got teary-eyed, as did the bride. The emotion was contagious—it spread across the room to me and the Village staff. It was a truly beautiful moment."
Here are a few stories from happy couples married in Scarsdale in 2024:

Akilah Smith and Javed WisdomAkilah Smith and Javed Wisdom with Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg

Akilah and Javed wanted to have an intimate ceremony and on September 9, 2024 that’s just what they got. Akilah shared, "Javed and I met at a restaurant in 2021. We both had recently moved to the Bronx—me from Scarsdale and him from Mount Vernon. I’m a high school teacher in the Lower Hudson Valley. We were planning a traditional wedding, but we realized it just wasn’t us. We’re simple people, and we didn’t want anything that felt like a spectacle. So we decided to marry at Village Hall with just my best friend and his mom, who flew in from California. It was perfect."

She continued, “The Deputy Mayor performed the ceremony, and she was the star of our wedding photos. Everyone wanted to know who the fabulous lady in the dress and Michael Jordan sneakers was! She explained she’d had surgery and couldn’t wear heels. We got married outside because it was a beautiful fall day. She offered us three sets of vows, and we chose the one that felt just right. The ceremony was lovely and intimate, and we were so grateful for the young lady in the front office who suggested we marry outside and also served as our unofficial photographer. Everyone was wonderful."

Ashley Fraser and Mikhail Miles

On October 18, 2024, Ashley and Mikhail of Yonkers had their wedding at Library Pond. Mikhail, an engineer, and Ashley, an executive assistant, were excited to marry in Scarsdale. Ashley shared, "We met in 2017 at a party in Kingston, Jamaica, where our families were close friends. After four years, we started dating in 2021. When we got engaged, we decided to marry in Westchester. After a quick Google search, we found Scarsdale Village Hall, which stood out to us because we had the option to marry either inside the Village Hall or at the Library grounds. We were lucky enough to have perfect weather, so we chose the outdoor location."

Lauren and Chris HeintzChris and Lauren Heintz

On December 20, 2024, Chris and Lauren Heintz of White Plains made it official at Village Hall. Chris recalled how they met: "We met on July 4, 2021, while I was in Manhattan to see the fireworks. Lauren approached me to ask if we could see them from where I was standing. We ended up chatting for a couple of hours until the fireworks began—and it turned out, it was a perfect spot for viewing! Not many people can say they met randomly on the streets of NYC during the 4th of July."

Chris continued, “When we decided to marry, we found White Plains doesn’t conduct wedding ceremonies, so we looked to Scarsdale—a town we’ve visited and liked. It’s beautiful and personal, and we felt it would be a much more intimate experience than city hall in Manhattan.”

Requirements for a Wedding in Scarsdale

-To ensure a legal marriage in New York State (NYS), couples must meet the following requirements:

-Marriage License: The couple must obtain a valid marriage license from a New York State town or city clerk. The license must be issued at least 24 hours before the ceremony and is valid for 60 days.

-Authorized Officiant: The ceremony must be performed by an authorized officiant, such as clergy, judges, or other legally recognized individuals.

-Witnesses: At least one or two witnesses, aged 18 or older, must be present during the ceremony.

-Declaration of Intent: Both parties must declare their intent to marry, usually by saying “I do” or similar vows.

-Completion of Marriage Certificate: After the ceremony, the officiant must complete the marriage certificate section of the license and return it to the issuing clerk’s office for registration.