How to Plan a Central Park Wedding? (Complete Guide 2024)

9am - 10pm

Why is Central Park Wedding?

Central Park is known for its weddings. It is the biggest park in the city with many great pictures places for the intimate wedding. Summer and autumn will be the best time of the year to tie the knot, since the nature in the park will be at it best view. There so many great, intimate locations in the park – Bow Bridge, Gapstow Bridge, Cop Cot, Wagner Cove, Ladies Pavilion, Cherry Hill, Shakespeare garden, Belvedere castle, Conservatory Garden and many others. There will be pros and cons of each location, as well as rules and regulations to follow.

Central park weddings are really fun. Whether you are native New Yorker or having a destination wedding, Central Park will be perfect and intimate place for your ceremony.

Photo 4 How to Plan a Central Park Wedding? (Complete Guide 2024)

Paper Work

To have your wedding in Central Park you must obtain your New York City Marriage License from the City Clerk at least 24 hours before your ceremony start time. The Marriage License fee is $35. Both you and your partner must go in-person with the proper identification to the New York City Clerk’s office to apply for the license. If you’d like to get your Marriage License in advance, it will be valid for 60 days once you pick it up at the City Clerk.

You also need an officiant to register your ceremony. You can look for one yourself or we can do it for you.

Wedding Ceremony

You need to arrive 30 minutes before your permit time to the desired location to start preparations. Please note, you are not allowed to bring chairs, tables, candles. No rice, birdseeds or confetti. No alcohol at all times. You can have an acoustic music, but it varies from place to to place.

For the Ceremony you will need:

  • Valid photo ID (and a passport for international couples)
  • New York City Marriage License from the City Clerk
  • Officiant to register the ceremony
  • A witness (photographers count!) over the age of 18 and who have valid photo ID
  • Professional Photographer and videographer because you want to safe this moment forever and share with all of your friend and family who can’t go there. Photographer for Central Park wedding starts from $500 and Video from $700 (Order now) 
Photo 6 How to Plan a Central Park Wedding? (Complete Guide 2024)

Permits for wedding in Central Park.

You need a permit for having your wedding at Central Park. If you are having 20 or more people at your wedding, you will need to get a permit. Most of the prime locations require a permit (currently $25), which can be obtained through the NYC Parks Department. Permits must be secured at least 30 days in advance, and the most popular locations are booked months in advance. (https://www.nycgovparks.org/phpdig/index.php?sc=sitesearch&q=wedding+in+central+park&submit=Search)

If you will have less than 20 people, you might not need a permit, but in this case you won’t be sure that your location will be available on your day/time. So it’s always better to have one.

If you planning your wedding at the Conservatory Garden the rules and regulations are different. Ceremonies and photography sessions at Conservatory Garden require permits from the Central Park Conservancy.

Permit fee is $400 plus additional $100 for photography. Wedding party is limited to 100 people. You cannot use of the lawn in the Central Garden, no chairs or tables as well. The Garden is a “Quiet Zone.” Amplification for musical instruments, sound systems or other purposes is not permitted. For more information contact us.

How can Dare to Dream help to organize your vows renewal in NYC?

Dare to Dream is an elopement and small wedding planning service. We are based in New York and know the city like nobody else. We can help you with the location and planning. Whether you looking to have a big family gathering or just a private ceremony, we will make sure your day will go smooth and you enjoy it at the fullest. We can organize a private New York City rooftop vows renewal ceremony or an intimate Central Park vows renewal ceremony. It is your second. best day and we are here to make it equally special.
Please contact us now at  info@daretodream.nyc and our experienced team will help you to create the best day in your life.