Central Park Wedding Packages: How to Get Married in Central Park (2026)

How to Plan Your Central Park Elopement

Central Park wedding packages that include photographer, planner and officiant, whether you’re envisioning an intimate elopement for two or a microwedding with 50.

All Central Park wedding packages include:

1

PLANNING

Whether you’re planning a Central Park elopement for two or a small wedding for 50, my Central Park wedding packages are all-inclusive so you can fully relax and enjoy the day. During our initial Zoom one-on-one, we’ll collaborate on vibe, aesthetic, and all the logistics on how to get married in Central Park. Once we’ve got the plan mapped out, I’ll put together an itinerary for you to sign off on before we make it official.

2

PHOTOGRAPHY

We’ll tell the story of your Central Park wedding, start to finish. I’ll guide you through recommended ceremony locations, wedding timelines and logistical considerations depending on your vision.

3

OFFICIANT & LEGAL

You’ll have the opportunity to connect with your NYC officiant beforehand to create a personalized ceremony that feels right. They will also send all necessary paperwork back to the Marriage Bureau on your behalf so your marriage is legal.

4

OPTIONS FOR ADD-ONS

For a truly stress-free experience, you can add on additional services like hair & makeup, flowers, videography, a Zoom livestream, wedding albums and more. I will act as point-person so you don’t have to juggle multiple vendors.

Starting at $2,850

Inquire for packages & pricing
Central Park wedding packages: couple at the Mall

“I cannot say enough praise about Everly Studios. Jocelyn brought such a calm presence and made us both feel so comfortable in front of the camera. The photos speak for themselves — BEAUTIFUL!”

– Haley & Joey

Real Central park weddings & Elopements

LOGISTICS

Central Park Wedding Permit Guide

If you are planning a Central Park wedding over 20 guests, you will need to obtain a permit. That being said, I always recommend all wedding couples get a permit, simply in an effort to prevent another event from happening at the same time and location.

Couples should apply for a Special Events permit with the Manhattan Borough Office. Note: couples interested in holding their event at the Conservatory Garden must contact the Central Park Conservancy at (212) 360-2766 or via www.centralparknyc.org.

Cost: There is a $25 non-refundable application fee, payable by credit or debit card via the online application. The one exception is the Conservatory Garden, with a $400 fee.

Where to apply: Applicants must apply online at https://www.nycgovparks.org/.

Timeline: It takes up to 30 days to process a permit.

Rules & restrictions:

  • No set-up (includes tents, tables, chairs); chuppahs may be hand-carried in and out with prior permission
  • No amplified sound (acoustic music is permitted)
  • No vehicles or pedicab drop-off permitted
  • No alcohol
  • No flowers, balloons, or decorations
  • No banners or signs affixed to Park property or trees; no staking into the ground
  • The public must always have access to the park
  • Cleanup is required; the venue should be in the same condition as it was before the event
Budget

How Much Does a Central Park Wedding Cost?

A Central Park wedding can cost anywhere from under $500 for just the basics to $10,000+ depending on the scope of the wedding.

Typical cost estimate for a Central Park wedding with park ceremony and restaurant dinner reception for 20 guests:

• Central Park wedding permit: $25
• NYC marriage license: $35
• Planner + Officiant + Photography Central Park wedding package: $2,500 – $8,500
• In-hotel hair & makeup services: $500 – $1,000
• Flowers with delivery & setup: $750-$2,500
• Restaurant private room for dinner (including tax and gratuity): $5,000 – $10,000+

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Planning

Best Time of Year for a Central Park Wedding

When to plan your outdoor Central Park wedding

Spring

Temperatures start warming up in late March/early April, and April’s cherry blossom season is a highlight, with the peak bloom lasting about 7–10 days, usually in early to mid-April. Best Cherry blossom viewing locations include Pilgrim Hill and near the reservoir.

Summer

Now is when the greenery is ready to shine! Ceremony locations with greenery canopies (like at Cop Cot, Dene Summerhouse and Conservatory Garden) will be full and lush.

Central Park wedding packages: fall wedding

Fall

September and October are the most temperate months, so ideal for outdoor Central Park weddings. Late October also typically signals the start of fall colors in the tress, with the first week of November typically being the peak.

Winter

If colder temperature doesn’t dissuade you, winter Central Park weddings have the added benefit of fewer crowds in the park. And if you’re lucky enough to have snow, trust me — layer up because there are plenty of winter wonderland photos to be taken.

Planning

Best Central Park Wedding Locations

Wondering where to get married in Central Park? Whether you want a private location, city views, or somewhere with seating for your small Central Park wedding, I can absolutely make recommendations on the best Central Park wedding venues for you. A few favorites below.

Bethesda Terrace wedding in Central Park NYC

Bethesda Terrace Wedding

Guest capacity: 50
Seating: none
Privacy: This is a highly trafficked area, unless early in the morning.
Best time for photography: early morning
Bethesda Terrace features grand stone staircases, intricate archways, and a stunning tiled arcade ceiling. The architecture creates a dramatic setting for a Central Park wedding, and it’s the largest solid structure in the park, providing a good rain option for microweddings.
See sample Bethesda Terrace wedding →

Cop Cot Wedding

Guest capacity: 50
Seating: yes
Privacy: Yes, this location is at the top of a small hill with one path leading to it.
Best time for photography: late afternoon/sunset
Cop Cot is a rustic, woodsy pavilion that provides one of the most spacious locations for a Central Park wedding. It’s also the one of the few locations that also provides seating for guests.
See sample Cop Cot wedding →
Cop Cot wedding
Gapstow Bridge wedding

Gapstow Bridge Wedding

Guest capacity: 25
Seating: none
Privacy: Somewhat. While Gapstow Bridge itself is busy, the grassy area behind it is typically less busy
Best time for photography: morning or late afternoon/sunset
Gapstow Bridge is a picturesque stone bridge near the southern entrance of the park, with the skyline peeking from behind the trees. The combination of water, city views, and natural greenery creates an iconic New York backdrop for wedding photos.
See sample Gapstow Bridge wedding →

Shakespeare Garden Wedding

Guest capacity: 20
Seating: yes
Privacy: Yes, this location is backed up against a wooded area, and there are only two paths leading to it.
Best time for photography: late afternoon/sunset
A Central Park wedding at Shakespeare Garden offers a storybook setting filled with winding paths, rustic benches, and greenery mixed with seasonal flowers. For small microweddings and elopements, it’s one of the most picturesque and unique spots for a Central Park wedding ceremony.
Shakespeare Garden Central Park wedding

Wagner Cove Wedding

Guest capacity: 10
Seating: no
Privacy: Yes, this is one of the most private ceremony spots, with the lake behind it and one path leading to it.
Best time for photography: any time
A Central Park wedding at Wagner Cove offers one of the park’s most intimate and secluded ceremony locations. Surrounded by trees and water views, this charming wooden pavilion feels like a secret escape from the city.

Ladies Pavilion Wedding

Guest capacity: 20
Seating: yes
Privacy: Somewhat, as this is right off a well-trafficked path.
Best time for photography: any time
Originally built in the 19th century as a trolley shelter, the Ladies Pavilion’s intricate ironwork creates a historic backdrop for exchanging vows, while the open structure allows natural light and fresh air to flow through the space.
Still deciding?
See 50+ best NYC Elopement locations
Planning

How to Get Married in Central Park: a Timeline

(6-18 months out) Choose a date or season

Every season has its pros (autumnal colors!) and cons (freezing temps!), but I help my couples figure out what their priorities are to determine the best date to get married in Central Park.

(6-18 months out) Reach out to your vendors

Once your have an idea of your ideal date, time to book your vendors. I offer all-inclusive Central Park wedding packages, so if you don’t want to coordinate multiple vendors, I’m happy to do that on your behalf.

(6-12 months out) Get your central Park wedding permit

Once you have your date finalized, now it’s time to book the ceremony location. Even if you don’t have 20+ guests, I always recommend getting the permit so another event isn’t happening at the same place and time.

(3-6 months out) Finalize all logistics

Flights, hotels, wedding dress, dinner reservation — now is the time to get it dialed in. For my couples, at this point we would already have a day-of itinerary fleshed out so you won’t have to sweat the details.

(1 month out) Book your NYC marriage license appointment

Yes, even Central Park weddings require an NYC marriage license! License appointments release 3 weeks out on Project Cupid.

get married and have the best TIME ever!

Central Park Wedding Package FAQ

Most Central Park wedding locations can hold 10-20, with a few up to 50 guests. The Conservatory Garden is the exception; that location can hold up to 100 guests for the ceremony.

Central Park wedding permits are required for groups of 20+, and cost $25. If you are getting married at the Central Park Conservatory, the cost is A wedding permit for the Central Park Conservatory Garden costs between $400-500. This fee is required for this location, regardless of group size, and covers a maximum one-hour ceremony. Popular months (April–October) require booking almost a year in advance. 

Weddings over 20 people will require a special event permit. The good news: permits are inexpensive ($25) and can be obtained online (allow at least 30 days for processing). The one exception is the Conservatory Garden permit, which costs $400, and an additional $100 photography fee.


If your desired time slot is already taken, you can select a different location or timeframe. However, I recommend getting a permit for your wedding regardless of your party size in order to “reserve” the time slot at your desired locations. For popular locations, like Wagner Cove or Ladies Pavilion, this is particularly recommended.

The best time of day depends on your priorities. If you are interested in the best lighting for photography, earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon closer to golden hour offers gentler directional lighting. The specific ideal timing will depend on which location you’re considering, as some face east or west, and can impact shadows.


If you’re interested in logistical best time of day to get married in Central Park, if you are planning an evening dinner event, I always recommend a late afternoon wedding so you can easily segue to your reception.

There are some restrictions on what you can and cannot bring or do:
No set-up (includes tents/tables/chairs); chuppahs may be hand-carried in and out with prior permission
No amplified sound (acoustic music is permitted)
No vehicles or pedicab drop-off permitted
No alcohol
No flowers, balloons, or decorations
No banners or signs affixed to Park property or trees; no staking into the ground
The public must always have access to the park
Cleanup is required; the venue should be in the same condition as it was before the event

Yes, definitely bring your marriage license with you; the officiant will complete the necessary paperwork after the ceremony.
In order to obtain a marriage license, you can apply either online or in person at one of the New York Marriage Bureau offices. Here’s the full step-by-step instructions on the procedure. It costs $35 (only by credit card, they do not accept cash), you both need some form of valid photo ID like a passport or driver’s license, and you must obtain the license at least 24 hours before getting married. Licenses are valid for 60 days. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you should confirm that NYC wedding licenses are valid in your country — a quick call to your consulate should clear this up.
The Manhattan Marriage Bureau Office is located at 141 Worth St. This is where you can apply for your license. Other boroughs have different locations.

Yes, all the officiants included my Central Park wedding packages are ordained and registered in New York City. You will have an opportunity to chat with them so they can craft a completely personalized ceremony, and will file all necessary paperwork so your marriage is legal.

Yes to all of the above, and more. I’ve worked with many talented local vendors and can make recommendations for everything you need.

Yes! New York has been legally wedding same-sex couples since 2011 when the Marriage Equality Act was passed. I am more than happy to photograph any kind of couple getting married.

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