Japanese Pavilion, Brooklyn Botanic Garden >
This should be reserved well in advance, and the wedding must be performed before the park opens to the public at 10am. You may also reserve other parts of the garden, including the little amphitheatre. Your guests can explore the garden while you take pictures, before other visitors arrive. We have married people on the allee overlooking the rose garden, which is lovely. Check the garden's website to see what is in flower for the time of year. Avoid the Cherry Blossom festival in the beginning of May, though - sludgifying traffic. 

 You should always plan for inclement weather, with a backup plan for an indoor ceremony or a semi- covered space. Semi- covered locations range from covered restaurant gardens, to boathouses, gazebos, roof terraces, and other places with a little shelter. There are few covered spaces in Central Park and Prospect Park, and they aren't suitable if it's really raining hard. (The gazebos by the Belvedere Castle in Central Park are roofed - but you need to climb the stairs to the Castle to get there). Also, remember you must ENTER the park on foot and walk to the ceremony location - not easy in rain. In a pinch, try the Dairy, the Minton Terrace, or under a nice bridge. Here is a beautiful photograph by Michael Skoglund of the Minton Terrace walkway to the Bethesda Fountain (not usually so empty of tourists, however!)

You can often book covered gardens at New York restaurants, especially if you have a party who will have drinks, or dine. This is often suitable for groups of 10-20. Look on nycitysearch.com for 'private dining' and venues with gardens. It is a common request at Tavern on the Green, who will rent you a room with drinks - esp in mid-afternoon - for a hefty price, though.You can also stage a little wedding on the balcony at Grand Central Station. Or use the Vanderbilt passage in midmorning. See ElopeNewYork tags  "Wet Weather" and "Private Dining"

We also enjoy the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, for adventurous couples who don't mind curious tourists observing the ceremony -  people are always polite when they understand a wedding ceremony is taking place. There is a covered area inside the observation deck, away from the wind. Suitable for a small group of people (under a dozen). Note: You will all have to buy elevator passes and wait in line - it's all part of the experience. Here is a recent wedding, pix by British photographer, Steve Gerrard. This snap is on the top OUTDOOR observation deck, not the inside covered area.

Lofts, Halls, Museums, Townhouses, Hotels

55 Bethune Street - Penthouse
New York, NY 10014
Phone: 212-206-6580
Rochelle (Rocky) Scott, info@ramscale.com

Alger house loft (a coachhouse in Greenwich village) and the Manhattan Penthouse

BROOKLYN BRIDGE and DUMBO

> see our info Brooklyn Bridge/Dumbo weddings on elopenewyork.com:

Getting married on the pedestrian/ bicycle path of the Brooklyn Bridge is perfectly legal, and free...if video is a must, call the Mayor's Office of Film, Theater, and Broadcasting for a free permit (212-489-6710). Know before you go: Contact the NYC Department of Transportation and Bridges (212-788-1703) so you can plan your event on a day when they're not doing major work on the bridge.

Brooklyn Bridge Park in DUMBO is an option, (left, below) which is a stunning location. However, be warned that the two subways crossing the Manhattan bridge every 6 minutes make it hard to hear the ceremony. It's a good idea to reserve this park, as it's thronged with wedding party photographers. The Empire State Park, UNDER the bridge is much horrendously expensive now. Another option is the Fulton Ferry Landing Park under the Brooklyn Bridge (right, below). Pretty, but often full of wedding photographers. Can you find at least 5 brides?

Wedding Chapels Wedding Chapels to rent (at a reasonable rate) are in short supply in New York. We have used the interdenominational chapel at 777 UN plaza, which is suitable for 25-150 people. You may also hold a reception at the Delegates Dining Room at the United Nations (from $145 per person).As the UN is renovated (and asbestos removed) some areas will be closed for 6 years.  Here are some short articles on wedding chapels We have conducted weddings at the Chapel at Columbia University, and at the New York Society for Ethical Culture, and in the chapel, meeting hall of Riverside Church. The lovely University chapels often require advance paperwork, please ask when booking. The pretty chapel at All Souls Unitarian Church is also available for a moderate rental fee. It is at Lexington and 79th, on the Upper East Side. Note that some churches are willing to rent chapels for a non-denominational service, but some require that you are married by the church's own clergy. The Seaman's Church Institute on the waterfront has a Frank Lloyd Wright designed chapel which is available for rental. The Masonic Temple at 23th and 7th has just begun to offer their themed chapels for weddings.  Go ask for a tour. Each floor has a different theme (Gothic, French, Tudor, American). Museums Some smaller museums may have rooms after hours which they will rent. Try art museums as well, for Sunday evenings or other times they are closed. They will often be able to accommodate caterers. Metro Guide to renting museums for weddings from the Aquarium to the rather astonishing New York City Fire Museum, and from $1400-over $10,000 in rental fees. Private clubs for receptions Quite a price range for these exclusive clubs, often housed in mansions or townhouses. Go and visit -- esp. the Society of Illustrators, the Americas Society, the Explorers Club, etc. Location finder including museums, boats, penthouses, hotels An incomplete list -- some locations we've used: Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Fulton Ferry Landing, Empire State Park, DUMBO, Coney Island, Battery Park, Wagner Park, South Cove, Prospect Park, Madison Square Park, Tompkins Square Park, City Hall Park, Riverside Park, The High Line, Fort Tryon Park, East River Park Central Park: Belvedere Castle, Bow Bridge, Hernshead, Wagner's Cove, Cherry Hill, the Obelisk, the lake, the Ramble, The Turtle Pond, Shakespeare Garden, Harlem Meer, the Pool, Bethesda Fountain, many small coves and cosy rustic shelters and groves. Private rooftops, private homes and gardens, Castle on the Hudson and other Hudson Valley Inns. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York Botanic Garden Snuff Mill and Terrace, Queen's Botanic Garden, Community Gardens, Jefferson Market garden, lots of restaurant gardens such as Ici, La Lanterna, Palma, Gavroche, Chelsea Piers, Red Hook piers, Brooklyn Promenade, Battery Park -- even the Gowanus Canal! Ramscale Penthouse, Manhattan Penthouse, Loft 11, Studio 450, Alger House, Gary's Loft, Astra (Charlie Palmer), Loft@47 West, Torch Club (NYU), Terrace in the Sky, New Leaf Cafe (Fort Tryon), WRClub on 51st (3 West), Sky Studios, Skylight Ballroom at the Puck Building, Rainbow Rooms (Empire Rooms) W hotels, Four Seasons, Kitano Hotel, Sofitel, NYC Hudson Hotel W58th, Beekman Hotel, Maritime Hotel, Library Hotel, Rivington Hotel, NYC Royalton Hotel W44th, Ritz Battery Park, etc. Brooklyn Ethical Society, New York Ethical Society, Tillman Chapel, UN Church House, Riverside Church. Columbia University. Chapel Chelsea Art Museum, Alice Austen House, The Merchant's House Museum. Various Restaurants in Manhattan: Little Italy, Greenwich Village cafes, Blue Water Grill, One if by Land, Two if by Sea, Bayard's at Hanover Place, Bryant Park Cafe, Battery Park Restaurant and Grill, City Hall Restaurant, Keens Steak House, Moran's Chelsea, Hudson Tavern, La Lanterna, etc. In Brooklyn/Queens: River Cafe, Giandos, Le Petite Cafe, Stan's Place, ICI, Water's Edge, Grand Prospect Hall, Montauk Club, Frankies, BAM, The Foundry, Northside Bank in Williamsburg, East Buffet and other Queens restaurants, many backyards and rooftops. Locations we considered, but haven't yet used: Skating Rink at Rockefeller Plaza - or Wollman or Bryant Park Washington Square - renovations are finished The gondola in Central Park (we used a rowboat) The gondola to Roosevelt Island The Staten Island Ferry (we used a NYPL police launch, though)