Vinny was from Brooklyn. Dark, thickset in a too-tight suit, he wouldn’t have looked out of place in an episode of The Sopranos, except that he had a huge bunch of pink flowers clutched to his chest. He was standing ahead of me in the queue outside New York City Hall. We were both queueing to get married. My fiancé was by my side, but Vinny’s spouse-to-be was inside shouting down a mobile phone. “I’m kinda late,” he smirked. “Not too late to change your mind, Vinny!” hooted his best man . . .

Friday afternoon is a popular time to get married in New York. We had arrived the day before from London to get our marriage licence, which must be obtained at least 24 hours beforehand, presumably to stop people getting married drunk and on the spur of the moment like Rachel and Ross did in Friends when they all went to Las Vegas.

There was nothing spur-of-the-moment about our decision to get married. We have an eight-year-old son and have been slippered-up in Shepherds Bush for some time. But with money tight and my partner Misha Glenny finishing a book, now was not the time to start organising a big party, so instead we decided it would be fun to elope to New York for a long weekend.

If you want a romantic wedding in beautiful surroundings then New York City Hall is perhaps not the place — its graffiti strewn corridors have character, but little aesthetic appeal. But if you love New York and are addicted to shows such as NYPD Blue and Sex and the City, then getting married in the Big Apple is like having a walk-on part in your favourite show.

In keeping with the Sex and the City theme, I had bought myself some pink satin stilettos to get married in. I’ve seen enough episodes to know that footwear is everything. Outside the marriage chapel we found Vinny’s bride in a full-length white lace dress and matching shoes sitting sullenly on a plastic chair. Next to her were two cheerful-looking German backpackers with matching T-shirts printed with the words: “Neu Verheiratet in New York — Just Married in New York.”

We were ushered into an ante-chamber with a huge American flag. Standing in front of it was a large Korean family having their photos taken. The young groom was a Marine dressed in his military uniform and probably on his way to Iraq. As the Koreans shuffled in to the chapel, we took our place in front of the flag. Suddenly I felt really nervous. Until that moment it had all seemed like a huge laugh — now I realised that this was one of the biggest steps of my life.

Within minutes the Koreans were out and it was our turn. The registrar, Blanca Martinez, was polite, but brusque. We exchanged vows, she declared us man and wife, and told my husband he could kiss me. As our lips touched I heard Blanca open the door and shout: “Jermaine and Linda, you’re next!”

City Hall is in downtown Manhattan, a short stroll from the chic boutique hotel that we had checked in to for the weekend. The Soho Grand is one of those achingly trendy post- industrial spaces with brick walls and exposed iron beams. The staff are clearly chosen for their looks, but are very helpful.

We’d told them we were getting married and arrived to find complimentary champagne and a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries waiting for us. Our room was on the 15th floor and we clinked our glasses and nibbled our canapés as we watched the sun set on the city skyline.

There are, of course, loads of great places to eat in New York. We had a good and very reasonable dinner at Bottino’s, an Italian restaurant in Chelsea, which was smart without being too formal.

My other top tip for a wedding weekend would be: to treat yourself to a pre-nuptial massage and facial at the Cornelia spa at 663 5th Avenue. They will also do hair and make-up for brides and have a fabulous roof terrace overlooking Manhattan if you want to chill out afterwards.

I got my face done free at Saks department store on 5th Avenue after I told one of the saleswomen on the Guerlain counter that I was getting married. I walked out looking transformed, so good that I then spent $300 (£162) buying the stuff, which I guess is the idea, and is what Carrie would have done in Sex and the City.

Details: http://nycmarriagebureau.com/about/marriageceremonyinfo.html

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