How To Get a Park Permit for a NYC Park Elopement
Photo: Impressenshi • Planner: Married in NYC • Officiant: Once Upon A Vow • Location: Bethesda Terrace, Central Park
Are NYC parks the new IT place to tie the knot?! We definitely think so. NYC parks have been THE outdoor wedding ceremony destination all year long for as long as we’ve officiated ceremonies and it’s only grown in popularity since COVID! But how do you do it? Can you just show up and get married or do you need a park permit?
Well, that all depends on where you’re getting married, what time of year, and how many people will be attending. For example, Central Park is the most popular NYC park to get married in especially during spring and fall seasons so if you want to get married in one of their iconic locations like Ladies Pavilion or Cop Cot, you’ll definitely need a park permit regardless of how many people will be joining you. During the off-peak winter season, you can live on the edge without a permit but we don’t recommend it unless you are an adventurous couple who truly enjoys going with the flow.
Our opinion is that it’s safer to get a park permit in order to have some peace of mind. How do you apply for a park permit?
Once you have a preferred wedding date and time, you’ll need to apply for a Special Events Park Permit at least 21 days in advance. The application costs $25 and is approved by the Parks department on a first come, first serve basis. You’ll create an account, include your contact information, and event description. Once you reach the location section of your application, you’ll notice three drop-down sections: (1) borough, (2) park, (3) specific area within your chosen park.
If you don’t see your desired area listed, check the box that says “Unable to find the area” and describe it within the pop-up text box. From there, you’ll be asked a series of questions in regards to your event. Since you’re getting married, you’ll answer ‘NO’ to all, review your event details, and process your non-refundable $25 payment. From there, it’s a waiting game based on how far in advance you submit your application. It is not advised to submit a year in advance even if you want to get the ball rolling as soon as possible.
A Parks department representative will either email you with a park permit or will work with you to find an available date, time, and/or location based on your preferences without you having to pay for an additional park permit application.
If you’ve gone through the application process already, you may have noticed that certain parks are not listed in the special events park permit application. The most popular among them include the Central Park Conservatory Garden and Brooklyn Bridge Park. Each have their own special events park permit application process, rules, and fees.
Let’s start with the Central Park Conservatory Garden, the park permit application must be completed at least 10 days in advance of your preferred date/time and the fee is $1,000 for 90-minutes. You can choose from the available dates and times listed or email weddings@centralparknyc.org if you don’t see your wedding date listed yet but would like to start the process. Please know that this space has strict regulations and several rangers on site who will ensure that their rules are being followed.
Photo: Impressenshi • Planner: Married in NYC • Officiant: Once Upon A Vow • Location: Bethesda Terrace, Central Park
For Brooklyn Bridge Park, regardless of how many guests you are having (with a maximum limit of 100 guests), you’ll need to apply for a wedding ceremony park permit which can not exceed 90-minutes and is limited to three iconic locations: Pier 1 Granite Prospect, Empire Fulton Ferry Boardwalk, and Main Street Pebble Beach. The total permit fee is $426, which includes the site fee, application fee, and credit card processing fee. Much like the NYC special events park permit application, their department will either release a park permit for your preferred date/time or work with you to secure a back-up wedding date and time.
Have we ever married couples at popular locations without a park permit?
Yes, we have and we will continue to do so for intimate wedding ceremonies with less than 10 guests to ensure the best wedding ceremony experience. All with the understanding that doing so comes with a bit of risk, but is ultimately a game of luck. In our experience, we have rarely been approached to show our permit and have never been escorted away from an area due to the lack of a permit. But the possibility is always there and we have heard unfortunate stories over the years from colleagues in the wedding industry, which can dampen the mood for many.
For that reason, our recommendation is to obtain a park permit and if you need additional support, reach out to your NYC wedding officiant. We, at Once Upon A Vow, pride ourselves in not only delivering meaningful, personalized wedding experiences but also guiding you along the way so you can create a joyfully epic core memory!
What happens if it rains on my wedding day?
Park permits are given with the understanding that your event will take place at your chosen location rain or shine. While it’s easier said than done to not worry about the weather, we do recommend trying to not check the weather apps until a day or so before your wedding day. The way we see it, the weather has been changing a lot more frequently these days so it’s pointless to stalk the weather apps for weeks at a time and cause yourself endless anxiety.
For anxious minds, we recommend having a Plan B rain plan, being prepared with cute, transparent umbrellas, or choosing a location with coverage. Again, your chosen NYC wedding officiant can support you in making the best decision possible for you and your loved ones.