Ever since 2020, elopements have become more and more popular. Frankly, I’m all for it and believe that you should be able to celebrate your love in whichever way you please. Being a Philadelphia-based wedding photographer, I get to travel all throughout the North East for weddings. However, a central hub for elopements definitely has to be New York City. More specifically, Central Park. Central Park sits in between the Upper West Side and Upper East Side neighborhoods of Manhattan. It’s NYC’s iconic 843-acre park sitting in the middle of the concrete jungle. It’s because of this phenomenon that many couples opt to elope in Central Park. However, before jumping on this amazing opportunity you may need to do a little bit of research. Luckily, I’ve done it for you and compiled it into this Ultimate Guide to a Central Park NY Elopement.

Do We Have To Pay A Permit To Elope In Central Park?

If you want to have an elopement in Central Park with 20 or more people, you will be required to purchase a permit. You will need to apply online here and pay a $25 non-refundable application fee. As a reminder, it takes 30 days to process your permit, so do so with enough time in advance to get approval from NYC Parks and Recs.

Luckily for those of you who want a true intimate elopement with less than 20 guests, you will not be required to purchase a permit.

Do You Need A Marriage License For A Central Park NY Elopement?

The short answer is yes! You must obtain a New York State marriage license at least 24 hours before your ceremony is to start. You may complete a marriage license application online here and pay the $35 processing fee. Then you will have the option to meet in person at the NYC clerk’s office or virtually for an online interview. Keep in mind that both you and your partner must be in New York State at the time of the interview.

Can You Have Elope In Central Park On A Holiday?

Central Park elopements are only allowed on holidays if you plan on having less than 20 guests. However, the NYC Parks Department no longer issues wedding permits on major holidays. Keep this in mind when it comes to determining a wedding date for your Central Park elopement!

Photography Permits For Your Central Park Elopement

The best news about having a Central Park elopement is that you will not need to purchase a photography permit – woohoo! This basically means that anywhere throughout Central Park is fair game for us during your elopement. There is only one location in Central Park that you will need to purchase a photography permit and that is at the Conservatory Garden. The photography permit fee for a 30-minute shoot is $100 which is non-refundable. You can apply for a permit and read more about the regulations here.

Restrictions For Your Central Park NY Elopement

With such great access to this stunning beauty, we must anticipate that there are some restrictions. These restrictions are rules made by NYC Parks and Recs to ensure we maintain the integrity of this beautiful park. Some of the restrictions include:

• 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 alcohol
• No vehicles or pedicab drop-offs permitted
• No flowers, balloons, or decorations
• No banners or signs affixed to Park property
• No staking into the ground
• The public must always have access to the park
• Cleanup is required and you must return to the same condition as it was before

These restrictions put in place basically mean the bare minimum when it comes to planning your Central Park elopement. For many of you who want to maintain the authenticity of having a Central Park elopement, then this is perfect. It’s easy, with little to no fuss and you get to tie the knot in a magical city.

Central Park Elopement Locations

One of the many reasons couples choose to have a Central Park elopement is all due to its wide variety of photo locations. The New York Parks Department takes great pride in maintaining the park and wants everyone to be able to enjoy the beauty that is Central Park. With that being said, with such a vast space the amount of places to explore can be a bit overwhelming. Below are just a few places that you may want to consider having some photos of your elopement documented.

• The Conservatory Garden
• Ladies Pavilion
• The Pond
• Cop Cot
• Wagner Cove
• Shakespeare Garden
• Bow Bridge
• Bethesda Terrace

Best Time Of Year For A Central Park Elopement

Deciding on what time of year to have your Central Park elopement is entirely dependent on you. The most popular months to get married are in the Spring or Fall months. Due to the freshly bloomed flowers or fresh Fall foliage, these are prime months to tie the knot in Central Park. Central Park is beautiful all year round and is well-maintained no matter the season. With that being said, it’s entirely based on preference and what you value especially when it comes to your wedding photos.

Keep in mind that if you are leaning towards having your elopement during the Summer months, the heat and humidity can be a lot for some people. NYC is the city of walking, so be prepared to be doing a lot of movement in the heat. This may be something you need to think about when planning your New York elopement in Central Park.

What Day Of The Week Should I Elope In Central Park?

Luckily one of the many amazing things about having an elopement in Central Park is that you can do it during any day of the week. Typically I always recommend couples getting married during the least busy times to avoid the crowds of people. This would usually be either at sunrise or sunset, however, you can technically have your Central Park elopement at any point in time. To avoid the least amount of people, I recommend leaning towards having your elopement on a weekday rather than a weekend.

Ultimate Guide To A Central Park NY Elopement

In planning your Central Park elopement, just know that at the end of the day, it’s entirely your choice. What you choose to do (or not do) is entirely up to you. Hopefully, this Ultimate Guide to a Central Park elopement will help you in planning one of the most memorable and special moments in your life. Above anything else though, if you’re going to remember one thing it should be this… make sure to hire me to photograph it.

Get In Touch | Central Park NY Wedding Photographer

Morgan Taylor Artistry is a Central Park New York Wedding Photographer ready to help document your special moments in beautiful New York City. Inquire here and chat about how I can document your memories!