How to elope on the High Line Park?

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How to elope on the High Line Park?

The High Line Park is the modern elevated park, which was built on a former New York Central Railroad spur on the west side of Manhattan. The park runs from Gansevoort Street (couples blocks below the 14th street) through Chelsea to the northern edge of the West Side Yard on 34th street near the Javits Center. Right now the High Line park is one of the most visited parks in New York and a real gem of modern architecture.

High Line Park regulations regarding weddings

  1. The High Line Park is open daily, but the hours of operation vary by season. For example, from June to September the park is open from 7 am till 11 pm. But December through March it is 7 am – 7 pm.
  2. You can not walk in the grass, pick up flowers, and block paths. It is a public park and if you decided to have your ceremony here be prepared for the other people to be around.
  3. For weddings of 20ppl and less, you don’t need a special permit. But, if you want to have any sort of decorations (candles, flowers, arch, etc) you need to apply for the park permit. Last year the permit was $150 and you need to apply at least 2 weeks before your event date.
  4. The permit does not give you permission to block any paths or restrict access to any park areas. Also, no alcohol is allowed on the park territory.
  5. No drones are allowed in the park. Also, photos and videos are permitted unless the photographer is using the tripods and other big equipment that block the area.

So if you have a small group of people for your ceremony and you agree with the park regulations, you can start to look for the location. There are lots of great spots along the park and some of them have the Hudson river views or the Midtown street views or the modern architecture view. We would highly recommend visiting the park in advance and choose a spot.

Best wedding locations in High Line Park

This neighborhood has lots of fantastic restaurants and bars, so you don’t need to go far to celebrate. Here are some of our favorite spots around the park:

  1. Tiffany and Co, foundation overlook
    This spot is located at Gansevoort Street, right by the Whitney Museum Of American Art. It is off the walking path and you can have the place all for yourself.
  2. 10th avenue square overlook.
    This overlook is located right at the 17th street entrance and has fantastic views of the city. Ideal location for a seated ceremony.
  3. 23rd street lawn and seating steps.
    Another great location for a larger group. Here you can have a modern architecture building in your shot as well as the Hudson river views. It is also the only location where you are allowed to sit on the grass, so picnics are welcome.

Where to celebrate after the High Line Park wedding ceremony?

This neighborhood has lots of fantastic restaurants and bars, so you don’t need to go far to celebrate. Here are some of our favorite spots around the park:

  1. Del Posto (85 10th Av, NY)
    Michelin star Italian restaurant with the private dining areas.
  2. STK Downtown ( 26 Little W 12th st)
    A steakhouse with the roof deck. Perfect for casual dining.
  3. TAO Downtown ( 92 9th ave, NY)
    Asian fusion restaurant with fancy decor. Perfect for a larger crowd.
  4. Gallow Green ( 542 west 27th st, NY)
    Roof lounge with the green garden, ideal for summer brunch celebrations.
  5. Electric Lemon ( 33 Hudson Yards, 24th floor, NY)
    New American restaurant with the terrace, overlooking the Vessel.

 

 

 

We hope that you will find this information useful and if you are considering getting elope on the High Line Park, contact us now at info@daretodream.nyc and our experienced team will help you to make your wedding day unforgettable and stress-free.

How to elope when it’s raining?

The weather in New York is absolutely unpredictable. And sometimes it rains on your wedding day. In some cultures, rain is a good symbol of prosperity and blessing for the couple. In others, it is a bad omen. And while the rainy day wedding was not in your plan, Mother Nature has its own plans and the best you can do is just to be ready for the day to hit differently. So how to prepare for a rainy day wedding?

How to elope on a rainy day?

  1. Discuss plan “B” with your partner and planner.
    First of all, discuss with your partner if the rain would be a deal-breaker for you. Can you move the ceremony to another day? Another location? Or should you initially look for the covered location?
    If you are planning a small elopement ceremony in a park with immediate family members you can always move to another covered spot within the park. For example, in Central Park, The Ladies Pavilion, Wagner’s Cove, and the Bethesda Terrace would provide a cover in case of rain.
    If you know that a rainy day wedding is not what you had in mind, the best option would be to secure a venue that has both inside and outside options. Always ask your planner what is plan “B” in case the weather would be acting up. Include that information in your invitations, so that your guests know in advance where they need to go.
  2. Embrace the rain
    If you know that it’s going to rain on your wedding day, the best thing you can do is to embrace the rain and come prepared. We always recommend getting those clear umbrellas as it’s perfect for the pictures and looks amazing in any setting. Get a white or clear raincoat and don’t forget the rain boots. From experience, the rainy day pictures actually look much better than the sunny ones, because there are no harsh lines. Overcast brings soft lighting and images look moody and more interesting. Plus the umbrellas make the images more interesting. So from the photographer’s point of view, rainy day ceremonies are more romantic.
  3. Transportation
    Make sure you have a preassigned car that will bring you to the ceremony location and back. There is nothing worse than waiting for an uber for 20 minutes under the pouring rain. If you have a group of 10 people or more, it is better to get a limo, so that everyone can be transported at once. Please note that no cars are permitted in Central Park, so if you choose a location which is far from the entrance, you will have to walk there. In this case, always come in your rain boots and change to the shoes on the spot.


Overall, light rain is not a big deal and it won’t change your wedding plans. The more harsh rain might be a problem but again with the right attitude and preparation, it won’t be the end of the world. Just don’t stress out too much about it and be ready to change your plans. Once we had a couple who refused to get umbrellas and by the end of the ceremony, they took off their shoes and just danced in the puddles. It was such a pure intimate moment, we all cried and admired this couple’s attitude. So if you can’t change it, embrace it.

If you are planning to get married this summer/ fall season and don’t know where to start contact us now and our experienced team will help you create the wedding day of your dreams.

How to get married on the Top of the Rock?

Top of the Rock is one of the best observation decks in New York. Its iconic look and comfortable location make it a desirable spot for small weddings and marriage proposals. Have you ever dreamed of saying “I do” with the best view of the city? If yes, here is everything you need to know before choosing this location for your ceremony.

Top of the Rock Proposal

  1. Hours of operation and weather
    Top of the Rock is open Monday to Friday from 10 am – 10 pm, with the working hours varying on the major Holidays. It can not be reserved for a private ceremony and no area can be blocked or restricted. In case of inclement weather, some parts of the deck can be closed and guests will be notified about the visibility conditions prior to the entrance. So chances that there will be no view are high.
  2. Decorations
    Unfortunately, no decorations are allowed. Top of the Rock does not permit any confetti, balloons, food and beverages, amplified music. So, in general, you can bring a flower bouquet and some “just married” signs that you hold in your hands, but nothing is permitted on the floor.
  3. Tickets
    You have two options for the entrance. The first one is the general admission tickets and these tickets are purchased for a specific day and time. You need to be sure that everyone from your group has the same entrance time on their tickets.
    Vip ticket entrance is more flexible and you can enter at any time during the selected day. This option is perfect for rainy day weddings or when someone from the group is running late. Also, these types of tickets provide priority elevator access, so you don’t need to wait in lines.
  4. ViewIt goes without saying that Top of the Rock has magnificent views of the NYC skyline and it has a direct view of the Empire State Building. Since the area can not be booked for a private event, be aware that the other guests will be taking pictures around as well. As mentioned earlier, there might be no view due to rain or heavy fog, but you will be notified prior to the entrance in this case.
  5. Photography
    In general, Top of the Rock does not allow tripods and professional equipment on the deck. You can have a photographer and videographer with you, but they can not have any equipment that stands on the ground. Top of the Rock wedding photography is always stunning and you can always take some additional pictures along 5th avenue, Rockefeller Center Plaza, and the Radio City Music Hall.

 

We would highly recommend the Top of the Rock wedding ceremony to couples who are looking for a great view and are fine with sharing the space with other people. Also, it is ideal for the small group, but might be uncomfortable with the 20 ppl in attendance. If this sounds too uncomfortable for you, we would recommend looking for private rooftop venues where you can invite more people, provide seating and decorate the space the way you want it.

If you are planning to elope and don’t know where to start, contact us now at info@daretodream.nyc and our experienced team will help you to create the most unforgettable wedding experience.