NYC hopes to be wedding destination

NEW YORK - Watch out Las Vegas: New York City wants to become the new No. 1 place to tie the knot.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has given City Hall's famously gritty marriage bureau a gleaming makeover, with fewer lines, more space to take photographs, video screens to monitor wait times, and wedding chapels with gauzy curtains and walls painted in muted tones.

And in case the newlyweds-to-be forget any essentials, the space features a shop that sells flowers, disposable cameras, tissues, hairspray, and sparkly fake diamond rings for $9 each.

The sleek 24,000-square-foot space opens officially on Monday, replacing a grubby, cramped, poorly lit office. It is designed to put some glamour into City Hall weddings while bringing more tourism dollars to the city.

"We want to be the wedding destination of the world," said Deputy Mayor Patti Harris.

In 2008, the city issued nearly 70,000 marriage licenses, and is set on competing with places like Las Vegas, which tops the list. There may be an opening now, though, as business appears to be dropping there.

Clark County, where Las Vegas is located, issued 95,888 licenses in 2008 - its lowest number in 15 years, according to figures provided by a county spokesman.

Couples seeking to say their vows before the city clerk in New York will now do so in an ornate lower Manhattan building that dates to 1929.

ASSOCIATED PRESS