Central Park is a romantic and picturesque location to hold a wedding ceremony.
There are many lovely spots for a wedding ceremony in Central Park. Some nice places that we recommend for weddings are discussed in more detail below. For inspiration we also have pictures from previous weddings in Central Park on our Facebook page.
We can arrange a wedding ceremony in almost any area of Central Park, not just these. Please contact us if you have a particular location in mind that is not listed here.
Each location has a guest limit specific to its size and area. The locations have varying degrees of privacy. Some have nicer views than others. Some may be difficult to get to for the elderly or disabled. You will want to take all these factors into account when choosing your location. Click the links to read about each area, and send us an email for more information if you need to.
There are many lovely spots for a wedding ceremony in Central Park. Some nice places that we recommend for weddings are discussed in more detail below. For inspiration we also have pictures from previous weddings in Central Park on our Facebook page.
We can arrange a wedding ceremony in almost any area of Central Park, not just these. Please contact us if you have a particular location in mind that is not listed here.
Each location has a guest limit specific to its size and area. The locations have varying degrees of privacy. Some have nicer views than others. Some may be difficult to get to for the elderly or disabled. You will want to take all these factors into account when choosing your location. Click the links to read about each area, and send us an email for more information if you need to.
Shakespeare Garden
The Shakespeare Garden is a lovely four-acre flower garden, so named because the flowers in it are all mentioned in Shakespeare's plays and poems. These English flowers are best seen during the Spring and Summer.
It was added to Central Park in 1916. The garden is on a steep slope, having several paved pathways and some rustic wooden benches. Because of the slope, it may not be pleasant to walk through for wedding guests during bad weather.
The garden makes for very beautiful pictures, with all the flowers, but there is some traffic noise from one of the roads that runs through the park. At the top of the garden, there is a large stone bench in the shade, it is a very cooling place to sit, and it is a lovely spot for a small wedding. This location is close to Belvedere Castle.
Below are wedding video from the Shakespeare Garden.
Ladies' Pavilion
The Ladies' Pavilion is a lovely spot by the Lake. The closest entrance to the Ladies' Pavilion is the one right by John Lennon's old home, the Dakota, at Central Park West and 72nd Street.
It is and very popular wedding location, and my personal favorite, it is the where I got married. There are seats inside and it has a pretty gray slate roof and charming cast-iron details. The roof can protect a small group from any light rain. It is accessed by walking down a short paved path so provides some privacy.
The Ladies' Pavilion was originally designed in 1871 as a shelter for
trolley passengers and sat near the Park’s 8th Avenue and 59th Street
entrance. When construction began on the monument that
stands there now, the pavilion was relocated to it's current location.
It is so-called because during the Winter the Ladies' would change into
their ice skates here, before skating on the Lake.
Wedding photographs taken around the Ladies Pavilion will have the Lake
and the Manhattan skyline in the background, and it is a short walk from
Bethesda Fountain and Bow Bridge.
The Shakespeare Garden is a lovely four-acre flower garden, so named because the flowers in it are all mentioned in Shakespeare's plays and poems. These English flowers are best seen during the Spring and Summer.
It was added to Central Park in 1916. The garden is on a steep slope, having several paved pathways and some rustic wooden benches. Because of the slope, it may not be pleasant to walk through for wedding guests during bad weather.
The garden makes for very beautiful pictures, with all the flowers, but there is some traffic noise from one of the roads that runs through the park. At the top of the garden, there is a large stone bench in the shade, it is a very cooling place to sit, and it is a lovely spot for a small wedding. This location is close to Belvedere Castle.
Below are wedding video from the Shakespeare Garden.
Ladies' Pavilion
The Ladies' Pavilion is a lovely spot by the Lake. The closest entrance to the Ladies' Pavilion is the one right by John Lennon's old home, the Dakota, at Central Park West and 72nd Street.
It is and very popular wedding location, and my personal favorite, it is the where I got married. There are seats inside and it has a pretty gray slate roof and charming cast-iron details. The roof can protect a small group from any light rain. It is accessed by walking down a short paved path so provides some privacy.
The Ladies' Pavilion was originally designed in 1871 as a shelter for
trolley passengers and sat near the Park’s 8th Avenue and 59th Street
entrance. When construction began on the monument that
stands there now, the pavilion was relocated to it's current location.
It is so-called because during the Winter the Ladies' would change into
their ice skates here, before skating on the Lake.
Wedding photographs taken around the Ladies Pavilion will have the Lake
and the Manhattan skyline in the background, and it is a short walk from
Bethesda Fountain and Bow Bridge.
Wagner Cove
Wagner Cove is an excellent location for a small wedding. It is tucked away into a shady corner of the Lake, right on the water. It is a very popular wedding ceremony location and perhaps the most private.
The steps that lead to it from the main pathway in the Park are hidden between trees. The steps can get slippy in wet weather and the ground around it is uneven so it may not be appropriate for Winter weddings.
The Cove features a rustic wood shelter, useful in case of any light rain on your wedding day, or it will provide shade from bright sunshine. In high Summer, if you stand in the wooden structure you can see turtles in the water.
The closest park entrance to Wagner Cove is at Central Park West and 72nd Street. This location is within close walking distance of many of the iconic photograph locations within the park.
Wagner Cove is an excellent location for a small wedding. It is tucked away into a shady corner of the Lake, right on the water. It is a very popular wedding ceremony location and perhaps the most private.
The steps that lead to it from the main pathway in the Park are hidden between trees. The steps can get slippy in wet weather and the ground around it is uneven so it may not be appropriate for Winter weddings.
The Cove features a rustic wood shelter, useful in case of any light rain on your wedding day, or it will provide shade from bright sunshine. In high Summer, if you stand in the wooden structure you can see turtles in the water.
The closest park entrance to Wagner Cove is at Central Park West and 72nd Street. This location is within close walking distance of many of the iconic photograph locations within the park.
Bow Bridge
Bow Bridge is quite possibly Central Park's most well-known muse for photographers. You might recognize it from its starring role in many movies, television shows, and commercials. The view from the bridge is also iconic to Central Park, with the Manhattan skyline towering above the trees.
It is certainly not the most private spot in the Park for a wedding, but would be one of the loveliest. Even with an event permit, people may still pass by your wedding ceremony if you hold it on this bridge.
This beautiful bridge spans the Lake's narrowest point and links Cherry Hill to the sprawling woodland of the Ramble. The bridge is named for its shape – reminiscent of a violin's bow. It is the oldest cast-iron bridge in the Park, and the second oldest in America.
Bow Bridge is quite possibly Central Park's most well-known muse for photographers. You might recognize it from its starring role in many movies, television shows, and commercials. The view from the bridge is also iconic to Central Park, with the Manhattan skyline towering above the trees.
It is certainly not the most private spot in the Park for a wedding, but would be one of the loveliest. Even with an event permit, people may still pass by your wedding ceremony if you hold it on this bridge.
This beautiful bridge spans the Lake's narrowest point and links Cherry Hill to the sprawling woodland of the Ramble. The bridge is named for its shape – reminiscent of a violin's bow. It is the oldest cast-iron bridge in the Park, and the second oldest in America.
Conservatory Gardens
The Conservatory Gardens are divided into three smaller gardens, each with a distinct style; Italian, French and English. When applying for an event permit, couples need to choose one of these gardens.
The Gardens' main entrance is through the ornate and beautiful
Vanderbilt Gate, on Fifth Avenue between 104th and 105th Streets. The
gate was made in Paris in 1894 and originally stood before the
Vanderbilt mansion at 5th Avenue and 58th Street.
Because the Conservatory Gardens are quite far North in the Park, it is a quieter spot for a wedding, but that does mean that is is a long walk through the Park to get to the more well-known spots if you would like photographs taken there. You would be among more locals than tourists in this area. Please note that the Central Park Conservancy charges a higher fee for a permit to be married in the Conservatory Gardens than all the other locations.
The Conservatory Gardens are divided into three smaller gardens, each with a distinct style; Italian, French and English. When applying for an event permit, couples need to choose one of these gardens.
The Gardens' main entrance is through the ornate and beautiful
Vanderbilt Gate, on Fifth Avenue between 104th and 105th Streets. The
gate was made in Paris in 1894 and originally stood before the
Vanderbilt mansion at 5th Avenue and 58th Street.Because the Conservatory Gardens are quite far North in the Park, it is a quieter spot for a wedding, but that does mean that is is a long walk through the Park to get to the more well-known spots if you would like photographs taken there. You would be among more locals than tourists in this area. Please note that the Central Park Conservancy charges a higher fee for a permit to be married in the Conservatory Gardens than all the other locations.
Belvedere Castle
Belvedere Castle caps Vista Rock, Central Park's second-highest natural elevations. Because of this it provides the best and highest views of the Park and its cityscape.
The name of the castle is fitting because it translates to "beautiful
view" in Italian. It was built in 1869 as one of Central Park's many
whimsical structures intended as a lookout to the
reservoir to the north (now the Great Lawn) and the Ramble to the south.
This location is very close to the Shakespeare Garden and Turtle Pond. It is right in the Center of the Park, so would require a walk through the Shakespeare Garden or perhaps a pedicab ride from the East side to get to it. The Castle Terrace has a small covered area which would protect your group from any light rain but it can get windy up there.
Belvedere Castle caps Vista Rock, Central Park's second-highest natural elevations. Because of this it provides the best and highest views of the Park and its cityscape.
The name of the castle is fitting because it translates to "beautiful
view" in Italian. It was built in 1869 as one of Central Park's many
whimsical structures intended as a lookout to the
reservoir to the north (now the Great Lawn) and the Ramble to the south.This location is very close to the Shakespeare Garden and Turtle Pond. It is right in the Center of the Park, so would require a walk through the Shakespeare Garden or perhaps a pedicab ride from the East side to get to it. The Castle Terrace has a small covered area which would protect your group from any light rain but it can get windy up there.
Cop Cot
Cop Cot is Central Park's largest wooden rustic structure. Many couples like it because it is keeping with the rustic feel of an outdoors wedding since it is made of wood. It would suit a fairly large wedding party and it's great for couples who want a little shelter from the elements, and a space that is somewhat enclosed to give a little privacy.
Cop Cot is Celtic for "little cottage on the crest of the hill" which is what it is. It is very close to the South end of Central Park, so bear that in mind when considering where else you might like to take photos. You would have to walk along the Mall to get to the Center of the Park from here, which give the opportunity for nice photographs along the way.
Cop Cot is Central Park's largest wooden rustic structure. Many couples like it because it is keeping with the rustic feel of an outdoors wedding since it is made of wood. It would suit a fairly large wedding party and it's great for couples who want a little shelter from the elements, and a space that is somewhat enclosed to give a little privacy.
Cop Cot is Celtic for "little cottage on the crest of the hill" which is what it is. It is very close to the South end of Central Park, so bear that in mind when considering where else you might like to take photos. You would have to walk along the Mall to get to the Center of the Park from here, which give the opportunity for nice photographs along the way.
Under Bethesda Terrace
Bethesda Terrace is right in the Center of Central Park, at the end
of the Mall. The beautiful carvings in the sandstone represent the four
seasons and the times of the day.
Underneath the Terrace is the best place for a wedding ceremony in the event of heavy rain. The ceiling is covered with magnificently patterned tiles made in England. Musicians can be found under there come rain or shine. The light, the carvings and the steps all present opportunities for some great photographs.
Bethesda Terrace is right in the Center of Central Park, at the end
of the Mall. The beautiful carvings in the sandstone represent the four
seasons and the times of the day.Underneath the Terrace is the best place for a wedding ceremony in the event of heavy rain. The ceiling is covered with magnificently patterned tiles made in England. Musicians can be found under there come rain or shine. The light, the carvings and the steps all present opportunities for some great photographs.
Bethesda Terrace and Fountain
Bethesda Fountain sits in the center of Bethesda Terrace. It is one
of the best-known spots in Central Park with the famous Angel of the
Waters statue on the top. It is in a central location down
beautiful stone steps from a road. These stone steps provide an
excellent grand entrance for a bride, or a great location for a
photograph of your group.
Because of this central location it is a very busy spot. We can obtain permits for weddings here, but it would still remain a thoroughfare for the public, so passers by may well stop and congratulate you. It is the least private spot for a wedding but affords lovely views of boats on the Lake and Bethesda Terrace itself.
Bethesda Fountain sits in the center of Bethesda Terrace. It is one
of the best-known spots in Central Park with the famous Angel of the
Waters statue on the top. It is in a central location down
beautiful stone steps from a road. These stone steps provide an
excellent grand entrance for a bride, or a great location for a
photograph of your group.Because of this central location it is a very busy spot. We can obtain permits for weddings here, but it would still remain a thoroughfare for the public, so passers by may well stop and congratulate you. It is the least private spot for a wedding but affords lovely views of boats on the Lake and Bethesda Terrace itself.
