WEDDINGS OF NEW YORK
Creative Civil Wedding Ceremonies: traditional, contemporary or unique
Conducted by New York Certified Marriage Officiants*

*all officiants certified by New York City Marriage Bureau: cityclerknyc.org

WEDDING CEREMONY LOCATIONS

We conduct formal, traditional wedding ceremonies, and also informal, intimate elopements and private marriage ceremonies. We have performed weddings at many usual and unusual locations in New York, including on (and under) the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge (DUMBO), in roof gardens, civic gardens, botanical gardens, private homes, restaurants, museums, art galleries, lofts, event spaces, and even a barn. There are more discussions of wedding locations on ElopeNewYork.com

Gallery -- here are a few more of our location pictures

Weddings in Central Park:

central park new york wedding

There are many lovely locations in Central Park, including the Shakespeare Garden, the Bethseda Fountain (noisy in summer with breakdancers), Bow Bridge. Cherry Hill fountain, Hernshead, the Obelisk or the pavilion at the top of the Belvedere Castle.

Ladies Pavilion, Hernshead, Central Park

ladies pavilion


PARK PERMITS
If the wedding is small, you may simply assemble, and hold the ceremony.
However, " any event with more than twenty people requires a permit from Parks", and you may also reserve a location even if you have less than 20 people. The permit fee is $25. It may take approximately 21 to 30 days to process a permit application  for a special event, though you can now apply online and it may be faster. Permits are also required for 'formal' photo shoots (not family photos). You can download a permit from the NYC parks website
Brooklyn's Prospect Park has many options, including some 'hidden' locations, where you will be relatively private. You will need a permit over 20 persons. The Picnic House and the Boat House in Prospect Park are lovely, suitable for medium-sized weddings (50-175) and must be reserved. But you can find a spot on the other side of the Boat House and hold a small ceremony without a permit.
< Vale of Kasmir
        > By the Boat House

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden, next to Prospect Park, is a private garden, and more expensive than Prospect Park. It offers both reserved spaces, and bookable covered venues such as the Palm House. We have married several couples in the Japanese Pavilion, at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens.

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 then 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. 

The Jefferson Market Garden in Greenwich village, is available for CEREMONIES ONLY (no receptions) for a donation for upkeep. Other small city gardens may be reserved, as well as the rooftop terraces of hotels, restaurant gardens.

The English Garden, Central Park Conservatory Garden >

Central Park Conservatory Garden is a private garden in the northern end of Central Park, open to the public, but available for weddings for a fee (like the Brooklyn Botanic Garden). It must be reserved in advance due to great popularity. There are many locations in the garden, and you will be assigned a section and a time period. You must reserve the garden for wedding photographs as well as ceremonies. It is expensive, and parts of Central Park are just as lovely, for the smaller price of $25. If you can, walk around the northern part of Central Park outside the Conservatory Garden and look at the Waterfall by the Harlem Meer and other nice locations.

Other City parks we have used for weddings are Fort Tryon Park in Northern Manhattan by the Cloisters, Riverside Park, City Hall Park (by the fountain), Battery Park, Madison Park (Flatiron) and Brooklyn Bridge Park. Check for parks near your hotel on in your neighborhood, little community parks are often a nice alternative.

We have conducted several weddings at the New York Botanical Garden (aka the Bronx Botanical Garden). This gorgeous location offers outdoor spaces, and indoor reception spaces such as the Garden Terrace Room and the Snuff Mill.  You can also investigate the Queens Botanical Garden, and the Staten Island Botanical Garden at Snug Harbour.

Indoor and covered locations
 > see other comments on our elopenewyork blog: wet weather weddings

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 very few covered spaces in Central Park and Prospect Park, but they aren't suitable if it's really raining. (The gazebo by the Belvedere Castle in Central Park has a roof - but you need to climb the stairs to the Castle to get to it). Also, you will need to ENTER the park on foot and walk to your ceremony location - not easy if it's raining.
 
Royalton hotel wedding
Ask your hotel in advance if there is a suite available if your park wedding gets rained out. Ask if they have a roof terrace, penthouse or 'party' room at the top of the building you can use.  Here is a private "penthouse wedding" which was arranged by the concierge at the NYC Royalton Hotel at W 44th, when the weather was not cooperating. If the penthouse suite or one of the other fancier rooms is NOT OCCUPIED between checkin and checkout (early afternoon) you might be able to arrange to use a suite.

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.

Lofts, Halls, Museums, Townhouses, Hotels

  • An article on "upscale" locations
  • Hotels - elegant, stylish, private,

    We highly recommend The Ladies Tea Room and the Ballroom at the Prince George Hotel near Madison/27th. The facility rental fee goes to supportive housing at Commonground.org.
    contact: Jonathan Rives, Ballroom Manager 212-471-0870 Jrives@commonground.org

    Top of the Times 255 W. 43rd St. at Eighth Ave. 212-768-8989, also commonground.org
    Like the Ladies Tea Room and Ballroom at the Prince George, the  rental from Top of the Times supports non-profit housing.The fifteenth-floor space has warm, terra-cotta-tile, windows on all sides, a 4,350-foot canopied outdoor terrace, and roof gardens. Fees start at $1,600; catering can be done either in-house or independently.

    • The Alice Austen House Museum on Staten Island is an atmospheric Victorian Cottage on the waterfront, with spectacular views of Manhattan. We have conducted weddings on the front lawn. The location is not suitable for a reception, however.
    The Merchant's House Museum in NOHO makes a lovely, private venue. The Garden is available for weddings, and the parlor for photos.

  • Restaurants

    Almost ANY restaurant will consider a private wedding, or even a small event in a private room or in a back area, especially in the period between lunch and supper, and if you arrange for dinner and drinks.
    For atmosphere, try One if By Land, Two if by Sea, or park restaurants, such as The boathouse or Fort Tryon Park's New Leaf Cafe
  • Lofts and industrial spaces
    Always check to see whether you have to use the resident caterer.
    We like:
    • Northside Bank (website not functioning, Jan 2007)
      a Street level loft in Williamsburg. For catering, call Kimbe or Demetrios, 718-218-0055
    • Ramscale Penthouse, stunning west side penthouse in Westbeth. Used as Glenn Close's apartment in "The Heights".

      ramscale wedding new york
      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 more expensive if your party goes up over 50 people. Reserve early. 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?

    brooklyn bridge park wedding brides on fulton park, brooklyn

  • 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). Note: The UN will be renovated this June, (and asbestos removed) and will be closed for 6 years.

    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 modest 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).

  • Hudson Theatre
    "Opened in 1903, the landmarked Hudson Theatre is one of the city's oldest showplaces, offering soaring architecture and backlit stained-glass Tiffany ceilings. "Theater seating is replaced by beautifully appointed tables that match the burgundy stage curtains and draperies. Prices start at $140 per person, which includes a cocktail reception, five-hour open bar, full dinner, wedding cake, and an overnight suite in the Millennium Hotel. Hudson Theatre, 145 W. 44th St. (212-789-7502 millenniumbroadway.com
  • 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.

    An incomplete list -- some locations we've used:

    • Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Fulton Ferry Landing, Empire State Park, DUMBO, Coney Island, Battery Park, Prospect Park, Madison Square Park, Tompkins Square Park, City Hall Park, Riverside Park, etc.
    • Central Park: Belvedere Castle, Bow Bridge, Hernshead, Wagner's Cove, Cherry Hill, the Obelisk, the lake, the Ramble, The Turtle Pond, Shakespeare Garden, Bethesda Fountain, many small coves and cosy rustic shelters like Cop Cot.
    • Many private rooftops, private homes and gardens, Castle on the Hudson.
    • Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York Botanic Garden Snuff Mill and Terrace, Queen's Botanic Garden, Community Gardens, Jefferson Market garden, lots of restaurant gardens.
    • 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 Room
    • W hotel, Four Seasons, Kitano Hotel, Sofitel, NYC Hudson Hotel W58th, Beekman Hotel, Maritime Hotel, Library Hotel, Rivington Hotel, NYC Royalton Hotel W44th, etc.
    • Brooklyn Ethical Society, New York Ethical Society, Tillman Chapel, UN Church House, Riverside Church. Columbia Univ. 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, Battery Park Restaurant and Grill, City Hall Restaurant, Keens Steak House, Moran's Steak House, La Lanterna, etc.
    • In Brooklyn/Queens: River Cafe, Giandos, Le Petite Cafe, Stan's Place, 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
      • Washington Square
      • The gondola in Central Park (we used a rowboat)
      • A helicopter
      • The Staten Island Ferry
      • Bateaux Mouches (sight seeing glass topped boats)
        http://www.bateauxnewyork.com/
      • The Subway
      • A caleche (horse drawn carriage)
      • A double decker bus
      • Snug Harbor
      • The Fountain at Lincoln Center (we've used the Fountain at City Hall and the Fountain at Madison Park)
      • Chumley's or Old Towne speakeasy
      • The Reservoir
      • Times Square