Central Park Wedding Locations

New York City is definitely a beautiful place to get married in. No matter what the season is, the city has numerous parks, rooftops and venues available as options to use for events. But one of the places that most often comes to mind when you think of New York City and weddings is our gorgeous, massive and romantic Central Park. Central Park is also one of the most sought after locations to use in the city for photo and film shoots. Central Park is really like nowhere else and many even consider the place to be its own unique world. The park is far different from other areas in Central Manhattan, and it even has its own lakes, boat pier, restaurants, stage for theater events, ice rinks, and zoo.

There are also many idyllic places to get married in at Central Park. These places include: castles, bridges, terraces and gazebos—all prime Central Park wedding spots that call to mind a time that has long passed. You will never go wrong with such a location if your goal is to plan a classic wedding event. The variety of spots available for such events can really amaze anyone—and, sometimes confuse as well, especially if one gets lost on a particular pathway while out exploring.

But we, at Perfect Wedding NYC, know the park thoroughly; and, every Central Park wedding spot there is familiar to us. All these spots can offer different things for different couples but one of the main things to consider when choosing a location is size, as it’s important to know what the capacity limit is for any space you might be thinking about. Different locations will also give off different vibes so you may want to choose a space, too, when planning your event that creates an atmosphere you like. 

Favorite Central Park Wedding Locations

Now, without delay, we list below some of our “top picks” for Central Park wedding spots that we love:

Cop Cot

Cop Cot is the largest non walk-through gazebo in Central Park that is located on the crest of a hill steps away from 60th Street and Sixth Avenue, that offers a generous seating capacity for your event. The gazebo is made of natural wood which gives this location a special rustic charm. This shelter was designed as a reproduction of similar structures that were once common in the park a century ago. The space here is also ample in size which will allow for the addition of props or other installations at your event if desired. Given the layout, too, of the interior space and the way that the seating arrangements are configured, this place is ideal if you are looking to do a more gala style elopement event than just a small one. Reservations for this space are required. Additionally, if you or your guests want to take a car service to your event, this Central Park wedding venue is a good one to consider as it is located just a short walk from Central Park South—where any driver you hire could drop you.

Guest Capacity: up to 75 (remember, the reservation will be for only 1 hour, so we DO NOT recommend inviting over 50 people to the ceremony).

Ladies’ Pavilion

The Ladies Pavilion is an elegant Victorian structure located on a peninsula on the western side of The Lake. The pavilion was originally in another park location but was moved to its current central park spot, overlooking The Lake, over a century ago. This historic structure offers overhead protection from the rain and other elements, and can give you feeling of privacy for an intimate wedding event you may want to have. Given, too, the way this pavilion is structured, with open sides, this space can offer great opportunities for photo and video shoots. This spot is also a perfect one for small or medium sized gatherings and, given how it is situated on a promontory, it makes a great place for doing observations at.

Guest Capacity: 20

Wagner Cove

Wagner Cove is a small treasure of a place located in the heart of Central Park by The Lake close to the 72nd Street entrance. This spot features a gazebo that is perfect for small elopement events. It is also one of the most desired places to get married in Central Park. Couples who choose this place as a Central Park wedding venue do so because they love this location for the secluded atmosphere it offers. This cove is tucked away close to the lake’s edge and features a small rustic gazebo-like shelter with two small benches. While not suitable if you happen to have a large guest list, this place is perfect for intimate wedding events. What, too, if you were thinking about renewing your vows or wanted to plan a romantic date? Not only is this location a desirable one for doing a wedding at, but it also makes a great getaway for any type of romantic excursion you want to make happen. 

Guest Capacity: 7-10

Shakespeare Garden

The romantic atmosphere surrounded by flowers here makes this serene spot one of the most popular Central Park wedding locations. This is also a great place to do a wedding if you or your partner happen to be Shakespeare fans or love reading any kind of classic plays or poetry: as many gardens like this one were once created in the US and Britain out of reverence for the bard. Here you could have a beautiful and intimate wedding event, in a place full of winding pathways and lush flowers—especially if you plan to schedule your event for the late springtime when the seasonal flora here is most vibrant. Imagine, too, saying your vows in this secluded place to your life-partner-to-be? And, then perhaps reciting some sonnets about the beauty of love and the meditation of the spirits? 
Downside of the location is that it is less private then some other ones mentioned above, as it located at open space and does not offer any type of private pavilion/gazebo areas.

Guest Capacity: 15

Belvedere Castle

This Central Park wedding spot is a one of a kind one. Belvedere Castle offers guests exactly what its name means as in Italian the name “Belvedere” translates to: “beautiful view”. Located on the top of a vista, this majestic structure offers visitors panoramic views of Central Park North East side and partial skyline of Upper East Side (FYI, there is no overview of Midtown skyscrapers). This location also recently went through a major restoration project and is now open daily for visitors. When you visit here, you will feel like you have traveled back to the Middle Ages, which could make this venue a great one, if you were thinking of doing some kind of theme event for your ceremony. Imagine, perhaps, a theme wedding here where everyone might come in costumes like they were at a Renaissance Faire? Again, if you were looking to do something unique for your event, making a visit here on your wedding day or booking this castle as your preferred Central Park venue location could be a great way to spend your day.

Another big advantage of Belvedere Castle terrace is that it offers generous roof that provides coverage from the elements.

Downside of the location is lack of privacy (events are only permitted at the Terrace, not inside of the Castle), and the Terrace must remain open to public as all the locations in Central Park, even if you have a permit for it. Getting to the castle would also require some extra walking up the hill (comparing to other, more accessible locations). And finally, there are no seating options available here.

Guest Capacity: 20-30

Bow Bridge

Bow Bridge is another place we love! This structure has been featured in many iconic New York films and is one of the best places we know of to consider a Central Park wedding location. This bridge spans sixty feet in length and is located near the Bethesda Terrace, close to the park’s 74th Street entrance. The bridge is classic in style and is shaped, as its name suggests, like a bow in the way that it stretches across the water. We consider a small boat landing next to the bridge a very special Central Park wedding spot, given that it makes an incredibly scenic venue to hold an elopement event at - and, has been a frequently featured location in many shows and films for decades. We can also easily construct for your small elopement event a photo shoot that can capture images of you and your partner on the bridge with the lake and some of the Art Deco style neighborhood buildings in the background. We also know that this bridge is a great place for couples to spend time together walking on, and believe that just walking here, with the person closest to you, can make one’s heart pervade with happiness. 

Guest Capacity: 10

Western Shore Boat Landing

This gazebo deserves a special attention. Treasure spot, located a few minutes down from Ladies Pavilion by the river, right across from Wagner Cove, is a perfect choice for those, who are looking for an intimate ceremony in the park.

And, the most important fact…Are you ready? No permit needed. Enjoy.

Chamber’s Landing

Another secluded gem by the water, located close to Oak Bridge, only steps away from New York Museum of Natural History.

This is a tiny spot perfect for couple-only elopements (or the couple + a few witnesses). Central Park does not issue permits for Chamber’s Landing as well, so if you end up planning your wedding last-minute, this is your go-to location.

Bow Bridge is ten minutes walk from the spot, so you can do your newlyweds photos in the most iconic areas of the park without a need to travel far.

Guest Capacity: 6

Gapstow Bridge

Located at the Southeast part of the park, close to Wollman Rink and The Victoria Gardens, is the Gapstow Bridge - another Central Park wedding spot we love. This spot is another one of those awesome park landmarks that has frequently been featured in classic New York City films. Here our photographers could take marvelous photos of you and your partner as part of the special photo/video shoot included in your package and then we could walk to a secluded spot by the pond this bridge crosses, or, to one of the grassy lawns nearby to have your special ceremony. Many great landmark spots in fact are located in this section of the park so we could also spend time getting photos of you and your partner at a few of these places. 

Guest Capacity: 20

Bethesda Fountain & Terrace

The Bethesda Fountain & Terrace, located in the heart of the park close to 72nd Street, is one of the most iconic places to get married in Central Park. (FAN ALERT: This is the place where Chuck and Blaire got wed in the last episode of “Gossip Girl” TV series!)

Central area, which feels like a large plaza, contains the Bethesda Fountain and, just under the terrace, one can reach the Arcade, which is decorated in elaborate mosaic tiles. If you decide to do your elopement package here, you can get married by the actual fountain or under the beautiful mosaic tiled ceiling of the passageway. The Bethesda Terrace is an architectural masterpiece and one of the only formal, classically designed structures in the park—if you have never visited this beautiful landmark, we suggest you go take a look at it—as it is a surprise to see such a formidable structure right in the middle of the park.

Guest Capacity 25

Cherry Hill

We recommend visiting Cherry Hill during the spring when the sakura trees are out to bloom. This beautiful and tranquil space that overlooks The Lake and is very close to the Loeb Boathouse is a great location to consider if you are planning on having a large wedding with lots of guests. This is also a place that could be nicely decorated with an arch, if desired, and colorful flower arrangements to make your event look like the traditional ones you see in magazines. Even though this location is not a private one, given that there are always a lot of park visitors here, we still believe you could set your event up here in a way that could work for you. We also believe, because of the amount of space available, you could also bring extra photographers, videographers, or even musicians if you wished. 

Guest Capacity: 100

Summit Rock

Summit Rock can be an exciting and awe-inspiring place to hold your Central Park wedding at. This place is made up of a large outcrop of bedrock and is the highest elevation point in the park. We also think it is another great location a couple might want to consider using if looking to do a large ceremony as the space near this unusual outcrop of bedrock provides plenty of room. At more than 141 feet high, this amazing spot will also give you and your guests incredible vantage points from which to view the city from. Additionally, any photos or videos of events done here always come out great given the scenic backdrop that this unique elevation point provides.

Guest capacity: up to 60

The Pool/Lasker Rink - North Lawn by Central Park North

Why not get married at the North Lawn by The Lasker Rink Pool where there is a beautiful lake surrounded by grassy banks and weeping willows? Beyond this area there are also intricate paths to trek through that even lead to a waterfall that is not far behind the pool—and, just steps from this area is the beautiful and romantic Conservatory Garden. While many people don’t think to consider this area for weddings, it can be a beautiful one to hold ceremonies in given how picturesque the lake is here - even in the colder months. And, given the size of the North Lawn, you could even hold a large scale event here and invite lots of friends.

Guest capacity: up to 60

Conservatory Garden

The Conservatory Garden, located near Museum Mile by E. 105th Street, is a Central Park landmark that can be ideal for holding weddings at. The gorgeous park is immaculately maintained by the Central Park Conservatory team and includes three main areas that are all designed like classic European gardens. These sections are: the French Style North Garden; the Italian Center Garden; and the English-style South Garden. Of these three gardens, the center one is the most popular one for holding ceremonies at and can be reserved in advance by permit. This garden features a large lawn bordered by hedges; a beautiful fountain; and, up a few stairs from the central area—the famous Wisteria Pergola, a small gazebo-like shelter made of wrought iron. Features of the other gardens include: fantastic seasonal displays of tulips at the North one and a statue of children’s book author, Frances Hodgson Burnett, at the other. Without question, we think The Conservatory Garden makes an awesome place to get married in Central Park at - but a visit here at any time of the year for any reason is also sure to delight.

Central Park Wedding Locations 

Now, after reading through our full list of suggested Central Park wedding venue locations, can you tell us? Which one could you see yourself getting married at? Would you choose one of the gardens, the bridges, the famous Bethesda Terrace, or somewhere else? Or, do you have a favorite Central Park wedding spot location that we did not list? If you do, please tell us! - we’d be happy to hear.