Planning Your Dream Central Park Wedding: Expert Tips, Popular Venues, and Unique Traditions
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Planning Your Dream Central Park Wedding: Expert Tips, Popular Venues, and Unique Traditions

October 3, 2024

1.What inspired you to start a Central Park Wedding? What was your professional background prior to this?

I have a background in the hospitality industry but my academic degree is in anthropology. After working as a project coordinator in public health, I realized that planning meetings and work-related events were my favorite part of the job. A twist of fate led me to an event planning firm in New York City. After some time there, I branched out and started my own company specializing in weddings in Central Park.

2. How many years have you been in business and how many weddings have you planned?

We’ve been in business since May of 2012 and this is our 13th wedding season! We’ve planned over 800 weddings and surprise proposals since we started.

3. What does a typical New York elopement look like? What should couples be looking to spend on average?

We work with many couples from out of state and overseas from small elopements to larger groups. Your wedding ceremony will be tailored to your tastes and aesthetics and you will select vendors from our curated list of wedding professionals. We work closely with each couple to discuss preferences for flowers, music and any other extras to ensure every detail is perfect. We recommend couples arrive in NYC a few days before their scheduled wedding date to have time to get their marriage license, meet with us for a rehearsal and recover from any jet lag! 

Our packages start around $5,000 and provide everything needed for the ceremony, along with expert planning and coordination. Our philosophy centers on creating a unique and memorable experience for every couple!

4. Can couples from the UK legally get married in New York and how does that translate when they return to the UK?

Yes, couples from the UK can legally get married in NYC! They just need to get their marriage license in the city at least 24 hours before their ceremony start time. Some UK couples need to get an Extended Certificate for Foreign Use. It sounds complicated but it just requires one more trip to the City Clerk after your wedding. Or it can be done via mail as well. We can walk you through the process!

5. What is the most popular area in Central park that couples choose for their ceremony?

There are so many beautiful wedding locations in Central Park but right now two of the most popular locations are Cop Cot and the Dene Summerhouse. Both of these locations are quaint, rustic gazebos hidden in plain sight.

6. Where do couples typically go after their ceremonies? Are there relatively inexpensive venues to host a small reception for say under 30 guests?

Most couples choose to hold their reception at a nearby restaurant, with some opting for a private dining room. This is the most affordable option for groups under 30 people. Or we can arrange a beautiful picnic reception in Central Park. Everyone sits on blankets and pillows and it’s a fun, relaxed way to celebrate your marriage!

7. What is the largest wedding you have planned for in Central Park? Are there any restrictions on the number of guests in certain areas of the park?

We’ve planned weddings with about 150 guests in attendance but there are only a few areas in the park that can hold larger groups. One of the main rules is that ceremonies are standin-only and you can’t set up any chairs. Central Park also prohibits the setup of tents and decorations and no amplified sound is allowed, which is something to consider for larger groups. 

8. Can you accommodate various international wedding traditions that couples may want during their ceremony?

Absolutely! We’ve planned ceremonies for couples from all around the world and have incorporated various wedding traditions including handfasting and jumping the broom, to name a few. We’ve also arranged Jewish, Muslim, Catholic and interfaith ceremonies. 

9. What is the most unique request you have ever been asked for?

We are a bit limited as to what we can do in a public park but the most unique requests usually involve transportation. Couples have asked about arriving at their ceremony location via rowboat, or taking a horse and carriage to their reception venue. We do our best to accommodate all requests when possible!

10. Do you organize weddings in New York/New Jersey that are not located in Central Park? 

Yes! We’ve organized many weddings in New Jersey over the years but our current focus is on NYC outdoor weddings. We can arrange ceremonies at any public park in NYC and the most popular Central Park-alternatives are Fort Tryon Park and Brooklyn Bridge Park.