Central Park Wedding Packages & Planning Guide

Central Park Weddings

a complete guide to planning a central park wedding

Central Park wedding packages that include everything you need to get married, whether you’re envisioning an intimate day for two or a microwedding with 50.

All Central Park wedding packages include:

PLANNING

I aim to do a little more heavy-lifting with the planning so you can fully relax and enjoy the day-of. During our initial Zoom one-on-one, we’ll collaborate on vibe, aesthetic, logistics and everything in between. 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.

PHOTOGRAPHY

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

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.

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

“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

Best Central Park Wedding Locations

There’s so many different spots for a Central Park ceremony within the park, and I can absolutely make recommendations based on what you’re looking for. Want something with water or city views? Do you want something more private? Do you want it to be recognizably New York? How many people are you bringing? These are the some of the things I’d first consider.

A few to browse, based on your group size:

Cop Cot (max. 50 ppl.): 60th St., close to Central Park South in the center of the park
Ladies Pavilion (Gazebo, max. 20-25 ppl.): 77nd St. and West Drive
Wagner Cove (Gazebo, max. 20-25 ppl.): 72nd St. west of Cherry Hill at the edge of the lake
Cherry Hill (max. 100 ppl.): Off of the 72nd St. Transverse, just east of West Drive
Harlem Meer (max. 100 ppl.): 110th St. and Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.
Shakespeare Garden (max. 20-25 ppl.): 79th St. and West Drive
Bethesda Terrace /Bethesda Fountain (25 ppl.): Off of 72nd St. Tranverse in the center of the park
Cedar Hill (max. 50 ppl.): 79th St. and 5th Ave. on the east side of the park
Great Hill (max. 100 ppl.): West 103rd St.
Gapstow Bridge (max. 20-25 ppl.): 59th St. Pond, off of Central Park West and 5th Ave.
Belvedere Plaza (max. 20-25 ppl.): No access to castle
Bow Bridge (max. 20-25 ppl.)

Central Park Wedding 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.

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.

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.