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When you think about a ceremony at a destination wedding … your thoughts may go to a ceremony on a tropical beach or the Lido Deck of a cruise ship. But surprisingly, many couples from around the world come to New York City each year to get married. And many of them want their ceremony to be held in Central Park, right in the heart of Manhattan.
There are some helpful things to know about a wedding ceremony in Central Park.
o The park is bustling everyday of the year, so you will need to adopt a mindset that fellow park-goers will cheer you on and stay out of your way … but they will be there! Most of them will respect the invisible boundaries around your ceremony.
o There is very little shelter in the park, so you should have a "Plan B" for a bad weather day. The most obvious options are a restaurant or your hotel.
o Many of the most popular sites for a ceremony are a bit of a walk from the perimeter of the park, so ladies may need to wear practical shoes to walk to the ceremony site and change into their high-heeled wedding sandals at the site.
o For a few locations, you can hire a horse-drawn carriage to deliver you to the site. Check with the drivers, who cluster on 59th Street, before your wedding day.
o Hire a professional photographer who will help you take advantage of the many photogenic spots in the park for formal and candid wedding pictures. For sheer beauty combining urban images with natural ones, Central Park can not be beat in any season.
o At most locations there is no table on which to sign the legal documents, so plan to improvise. You can use benches, fence posts, stone walls … to name a few.
o Make sure you have shared your cell phone number with your officiant, photographer, and witnesses. If anyone is lost or delayed, you can know what is going on.
Favorite locations that couples consider when selecting their ceremony site in the park are:
o The Bow Bridge: iconic structure, sometimes bustling and noisy with pedestrian traffic, wonderful city background for pictures
o Shakespeare Garden: private patio-like area, near restrooms, minimal skyline visible in the summer, good place for a small gathering (eg 10-15 guests)
o Cop Cot: Easy walk from the 59th St./Sixth Avenue park entrance, charming rustic structure, city view all around, seating for up to 30guests
o Conservatory Gardens: permit required (it is expensive), filled with beautiful picturesque spots for pictures, somewhat private but often filled with wedding parties on weekends
o Hernhead: lovely lakeside space with the cityscape on the southern side of Central Park clearly in view all year, with a permit (not too expensive) you can use the Ladies Pavilion
o Bethesda Fountain – a signature Central Park location, lots of activity, not quiet, one place the horse-drawn carriages stop, some shelter in a passageway if there is rain
Park regulations state that if the wedding party (including your photographer and officiant) numbers more than 20 people, you do need a permit. A permit is not difficult to obtain, and it is not expensive. There are two locations for which a privilege is not only required, it is essential. One is the Ladies Pavilion at Hernhead and the other is the Conservatory Garden. For both of these popular locations, you will want a permit so you actually have a specific time slot for your ceremony and no one can use the space you have reserved.
For information about permits, park regulations, and a map of the locations mentioned above, go to the park's web site: http://www.centralparknyc.org
Do not forget to obtain the New York City marriage license at least 24 hours before the ceremony. All you need to know about the process is on the City Clerk's web site: www.cityclerk.nyc.gov
There's something magical about seeing a bride and groom walking through Central Park. Everyone smiles, and some folks will shout "Good Luck" … maybe in several languages. It is just one of those inimitable places on earth where getting married can truly be the time of your life.
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Source by Julie Laudicina
