Two's a Trend: Pop-Up Wedding Chapels

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Turns out that the wedding industry, which used to gorge itself on brides' and grooms' visions of their perfect day—complete with a designer dress, a towering cake, fresh flower arrangements, and hand-printed invites—wasn't recession proof. Now, couples feeling the pinch are buying wedding dresses on resale sites, subbing cubic zirconias in for diamond rings...and hosting their ceremonies at one of the city's new pop-up wedding chapels. It's the convenience and affordability of a Vegas wedding, without the cost of the plane tickets and hotel room!

The pioneer of this trend was a Williamsburg pop up called Brooklyn Chapel, sponsored by Martha Stewart Weddings; on this side of the river, events space Grand Opening on Norfolk Street has just released details of their own temporary Wedding Chapel, which will offer "bells and whistles" such as: "live internet streaming to friends and family worldwide, services performed by an ordained minister of the Universal Life Church, seating for up to 20 people, a staff photographer, and custom backdrops (have a wedding on an exotic beach without leaving the country)." They're currently raising money for the project, allowing you to either fund the nuptials of a total stranger, or put down money for your own budget ceremony ($500 gets you the works). You'll have to whittle down the invite list, though: the Grand Ceremony space only seats 20.
· Wedding Chapel [KickStarter]
· Brooklyn Pop-Up Wedding Chapel [TONY]