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Best Places to Get Married in Central Park | Our Top Wedding Locations

We often get asked: “What are the best places to get married in Central Park?” Well, ask no more. Central Park is still the #1 place to consider when couples are looking to get married in New York. There are so many different structures and areas within the park which makes Central Park a perfect choice for your wedding.

Below you will find some of our favorite wedding locations in the park. To make it even easier for you to compare these different locations, we provided our expert opinions on the following categories: How to get there, if a permit is recommended (you always will need a permit if you have more than a total of 20 people), capacity, privacy,  if it is a decent ‘bad weather’ location and extra tips to consider from our vantage point. In addition, we added a customized map with all of below locations, closest park entrances and subways clearly marked to make it even easier for you.

Before you read on, you might also be interested in our other location blog posts:
‘Our Top Ceremony Locations in New York City’
‘Unique New York Elopement Venues to Rent’
‘The most Popular Places for Wedding Photos in NYC’

So here they are, the best places to get married in Central Park, listed in ALPHABETICAL ORDER.

1. BELVEDERE CASTLE TERRACE

How to get there: Enter from ‘Central Park West’. The closest entrance to Belvedere Castle is right across the stairs of the Museum of Natural History.
Permit: recommended. Apply right HERE
Capacity: good for bigger groups
Privacy: not very private
‘Bad Weather’ location: YES, because of the roofed pergola

Tips: The Belvedere Castle is very popular in the warmer months and can get crowded. Ceremonies inside or on top of the castle are strictly prohibited and are unfortunately not allowed.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

Best places to get married in Central Park Belvedere Castle

2. BETHESDA FOUNTAIN & TERRACE

How to get there: Bethesda Fountain is right in the center of Central Park. The best place to enter the park is from 72nd street, either from ‘Central Park West’ or from ‘5th Avenue’.
Permit: not necessary
Capacity: good for bigger groups
Privacy: not very private
‘Bad Weather’ location: NO, it is out in the open however the Bethesda Terrace Arcade is right there for back up shelter.

Tips: Bethesda Fountain and Terrace is the central hub in the park. It is most likely the most crowded place in the park however an early morning ceremony can help to avoid large crowds. Although, no matter the time you can always find a spot where people give you some space.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

Best places to get married in Central Park Bethesda Fountain

3. BETHESDA TERRACE ARCADE

How to get there: Bethesda Terrace is right in the center of Central Park. The best place to enter the park is from 72nd street, either from ‘Central Park West’ or from ‘5th Avenue’.
Permit: not necessary
Capacity: good for bigger groups
Privacy: not very private
‘Bad Weather’ location: YES, as it is completely covered

Tips: It can get pretty noisy inside the arcade as there are often musicians playing with business permits issued by the city. Also, during rain the arcade becomes a popular shelter for every park visitor nearby.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

Best places to get married in Central Park Bethesda Terrace

4. BOW BRIDGE

How to get there: The closest entrance to the Bow Bridge is on 72nd street and ‘Central Park West.
Permit: recommended. Apply right HERE
Capacity: good for smaller groups
Privacy: not very private
‘Bad Weather’ location: NO, it is out in the open

Tips: Bow Bridge is one of the most popular bridges in the park. There will be lots of foot traffic and often people stop and listen in which is beautiful but can also create a bottleneck.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

Best places to get married in Central Park Bow Bridge

5. CAT ROCK

How to get there: The best way to enter is on the south-east corner of the park at 59th street and 5th Avenue. Cat Rock is just a couple minutes north from there.
Permit: not necessary
Capacity: good for smaller groups
Privacy: not very private
‘Bad Weather’ location: NO, it is out in the open

Tips: How busy it is up there strongly depends on the weather. It can get pretty crowded up there but sometimes you get lucky and catch a quiet day. City skyline views are breathtaking.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

Top wedding spots in Central Park Cat Rock

6. CHAMBERS BOAT LANDING

How to get there: Best place to enter the park is at 77th street and ‘Central Park West’.
Permit: permits are not available for Chambers Landing
Capacity: good for smaller groups
Privacy: pretty private
‘Bad Weather’ location: NO, it is out in the open

Tips: Chambers Boat Landing is as private as it gets in Central Park. Only issue is that, because you can’t apply for a permit, you can’t ask people to leave. Usually visitors are pretty respectful, though.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

Chambers Landing Top wedding spots in Central Park

7. CHERRY HILL

How to get there: The closest entry to Cherry Hill is on 72nd street and ‘Central Park West.
Permit: not necessary
Capacity: good for bigger groups
Privacy: popular area but possible to find the perfect spot
‘Bad Weather’ location: NO, it is out in the open

Tips: While it is not very private, it is a big area. So there is always enough space to find a less crowded spot. During the summertime the leaves can shelter from light rain and also give shade from the sun. Whereas during the spring the cherry blossom provide a beautiful backdrop.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

Cherry Hill Top wedding spots in Central Park

8. BURNETT FOUNTAIN AT THE CONSERVATORY GARDEN

How to get there: The entrance to the Conservatory Garden is right on 5th Avenue and 105th street.
Permit: MANDATORY! You can apply for a permit HERE. A ceremony permit for the Conservatory Garden ist between $400 – $500, depending on if you just having the ceremony there or would like photos as well.
Capacity: good for bigger groups
Privacy: pretty private
‘Bad Weather’ location: NO, it is out in the open

Tips: While the general public is still allowed in the area, the ceremony can feel private at the Burnett Fountain. During the summertime the leaves can shelter from light rain and also give shade from the sun. In the fall the changing leaves provide a stunning background.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

Best places to get married in Central Park Conservatory Garden

9. WISTERIA PERGOLA AT THE CONSERVATORY GARDEN

How to get there: The entrance to the Conservatory Garden is right on 5th Avenue and 105th street.
Permit: MANDATORY! You can apply for a permit HERE. A ceremony permit for the Conservatory Garden ist between $400 – $500, depending on if you just having the ceremony there or would like photos as well.
Capacity: good for bigger groups
Privacy: pretty private
‘Bad Weather’ location: NO, it is out in the open

Tips: While the general public is still allowed in the area, the ceremony can feel private underneath the Wisteria Pergola. During the summertime the overgrown structure can shelter from light rain and also give shade from the sun.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

Wisteria Pergola

10. COP COT

How to get there: Enter from 59th Street and 6th Avenue. You will find the Cop Cot  just a short walk into the park.
Permit: strongly recommended. Apply right HERE
Capacity: good for bigger groups
Privacy: pretty private
‘Bad Weather’ location: NO, it is out in the open

Tips: During the late spring, summer and early fall the overgrown structure can shelter from light rain and also give shade from the sun. One of the only locations that has seating for guests. It also provides the opportunity for you to make an entrance ‘down the aisle’ as the entrance path is a path up to Cop Cot.  It also has very different looks in different seasons. Below you can see how it looks when the structure is overgrown and you also can see how it looks in the winter, early spring and late fall when it is completely open.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

OVERGROWN STRUCTURE

Cop Cot Top wedding spots in Central Park

OPEN STRUCTURE

Cop Cot

11. DENE SUMMERHOUSE: “A Treehouse For Dreaming”

How to get there: Dene Summerhouse is located just of the entrance to the park on 67th street and 5th Avenue.
Permit: permits are not available for the Dene Summerhouse. You can get one, however, for Dene Lawn HERE
Capacity: good for smaller groups
Privacy: pretty private
‘Bad Weather’ location: NO, it is out in the open

Tips: During the late spring, summer and early fall the overgrown structure can shelter from light rain and also give shade from the sun. One of the only locations that has seating for guests. Only issue is that, because you can’t apply for a permit for this exact spot, you can’t ask people to leave. Usually visitors are pretty respectful, though.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

Dene Summerhouse

12. GAPSTOW BRIDGE

How to get there: The best way to enter is on the south-east corner of the park at 59th street and 5th Avenue. The Gapstow Bridge is just a couple minutes north from there.
Permit: not necessary
Capacity: good for bigger groups
Privacy: pretty private
‘Bad Weather’ location: NO, it is out in the open

Tips: One of our favorite locations. And one of the best views of the beautiful Gapstow Bridge and the New York skyline right behind it. You might hear some music from the Wollman Rink that is right next door. Also, after a rain or during snow the ground can get soft and muddy.  It also has a very different looks during different seasons as seen below.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

Gapstow Bridge Top 10 wedding locations in Central ParkGapstow Bridge Top 10 wedding locations in Central Park

13. HALLETT NATURE SANCTUARY

How to get there: You either can enter the park on the south-east corner of the park at 59th street and 5th Avenue. The entry to Hallett Nature Sanctuary is just on the other side of the Gapstow Bridge. Or you can walk in at 59th street and 6th Avenue. It’s about the same distance from either entry.
Permit: not necessary
Capacity: good for smaller groups
Privacy: very private
‘Bad Weather’ location: NO, it is out in the open

Tips: How busy it gets strongly depends on the weather but there are many pockets for an intimate ceremony. Most of the time we get lucky and catch a quiet day. During the warmer months the leaves can shelter from light rain and also give shade from the sun. This area isn’t very well known as it used to have very limited hours to the public.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

Hallett Nature Sanctuary

14. HERNSHEAD

How to get there: Closest entry to Hernshead is from ‘Central Park West’ and 77th street. It’s just a short 5 minute walk into the park form there. It is located right next to the Ladies Pavilion.
Permit: not necessary
Capacity: good for smaller groups
Privacy: pretty private
‘Bad Weather’ location: NO, it is out in the open

Tips: How busy it gets strongly depends on the weather. It can get pretty crowded and onlookers will cheer for you at ‘the kiss’. But sometimes you can get lucky and catch a quiet day. The rocks provide a beautiful background but with that comes climbing over a few smaller rocks to this location.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

Hernshead

15. LADIES PAVILION

How to get there: Closest entry to the Ladies Pavilion is from ‘Central Park West’ and 77th street. It’s just a short 5 minute walk into the park form there. It is located right next to Hernshead.
Permit: strongly recommended. Apply right HERE
Capacity: good for smaller groups inside the Pavilion. With bigger groups, some of the guests have to stand on the outside.
Privacy: depends on the time of the year. In the colder months it can be pretty private. In the warmer months the area can get extremely crowded.
‘Bad Weather’ location: YES, because of the roofed structure

Tips: This is the #1 wedding location in Central Park. You definitely should apply for a permit as dozens of couples get married here daily. Without a permit someone else might have reserved it for your special day. In the warmer months it can get crowded and noisy but you’ll always get some applause after ‘the kiss’.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

Ladies Pavilion Getting married in Central Park

16. OAK BRIDGE

How to get there: Closest entry to the Oak Bridge is from ‘Central Park West’ and 77th street. It’s just a short 5 minute walk into the park form there.
Permit: not necessary
Capacity: good for smaller groups
Privacy: not very private
‘Bad Weather’ location: NO, it is out in the open

Tips: It’s a public bridge so there will be lots of foot traffic. However, we do find people to be respectful once they realize a wedding is happening.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

Oak Bridge

17. SHAKESPEARE GARDEN

How to get there: Enter from ‘Central Park West’. The closest entrances to Shakespeare Garden are the entrance right across the stairs of the Museum of Natural History or at 81st street.
Permit: recommended. Apply right HERE
Capacity: good for bigger and smaller groups, depending on the location within Shakespeare Garden.
Privacy: also depends on the exact location within Shakespeare Garden.
‘Bad Weather’ location: NO, it is out in the open

Tips: There are different spots within Shakespeare Garden that work nicely for ceremonies with flowers and greenery as a backdrop. I’m happy to help pick the right spot for you.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

Shakespeare Garden

18. STRAWBERRY FIELDS

How to get there: Strawberry Fields ist just a short 1 minute walk past the entrance to the park at ‘Central Park West’ and 72nd street.
Permit: not necessary
Capacity: good for smaller groups
Privacy: pretty private
‘Bad Weather’ location: NO, it is out in the open

Tips: There are some really beautiful green areas around Strawberry Fields. And it is close to the entrance of the park. You will likely hear music in the background by John Lennon as it’s in the heart of the ‘Imagine’ mosaic.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

Strawberry Fields Getting married in Central Park

19. THE POND

How to get there: The best way to enter is on the south-east corner of the park at 59th street and 5th Avenue. The Pond is just a couple minutes north from there.
Permit: not necessary
Capacity: good for bigger and smaller groups, depending on the location around the Pond.
Privacy: also depends on the exact location around the Pond.
‘Bad Weather’ location: NO, it is out in the open

Tips: There are different spots around the Pond that work nicely for ceremonies. It’s a very popular area and crowds can fluctuate dramatically based on time of day and year. Morning ceremonies always provide a much smaller crowd. I’m happy to help pick the right spot for you.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

Pond Getting married in Central Park

20. TURTLE POND

How to get there: Turtle Pond is right in the center of the park. You can either enter from ‘Central Park West’ and 81st street or from 5th Avenue ad 79th street. It’s about the same distance from either entrance.
Permit: not necessary
Capacity: good for bigger groups
Privacy: pretty private
‘Bad Weather’ location: NO, it is out in the open

Tips: You have a wonderful view of Belvedere Castle from here.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

Turtle Pond Getting married in Central Park

21. WAGNER COVE

How to get there: The closest entry to the Wagner Cove is on 72nd street and ‘Central Park West.
Permit: strongly recommended. Apply right HERE
Capacity: ideal for smaller groups
Privacy: as private as it gets in Central Park
‘Bad Weather’ location: YES, because of the roofed structure

Tips: This is one of our favorite locations in the park because Wagner Cove is a bit off of the beaten path. Not a lot of people walk by and the structure is just beautiful and romantic. Again, a permit is highly recommended so that you know you have the space for your ceremony on the specific day and time you have planned.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

Wagner Cove Best places to get married in Central Park

22. WOLLMAN RINK

How to get there: You can either enter the park on the south-east corner of the park at 59th street and 5th Avenue. The entry to Wollman Rink is just on the other side of the Gapstow Bridge. Or you can walk in at 59th street and 6th Avenue. It’s about the same distance from either entry.
Permit: MANDATORY! You have to rent out the rink for an after-hour ceremony.
Capacity: good for bigger groups
Privacy: completely private
‘Bad Weather’ location: NO, it is out in the open

Tips: This is a very special wedding location. You can rent the entire rink – after their regular hours – which makes it one of the most romantic spots in Central Park. This is only available during the winter months when the Wollman Rink is open.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

Wollman Rink Best places to get married in Central Park

23. WOOD CHIP VANTAGE POINT

How to get there: The closest entry to the Wood Chip Vantage Point is on 72nd street and ‘Central Park West.
Permit: not necessary
Capacity: good for smaller groups
Privacy: pretty private
‘Bad Weather’ location: NO, it is out in the open

Tips: From here you have a wonderful view of the Bow Bridge without the bigger crowds. Although you’ll always have onlookers from the bridge to cheer you on after ‘the kiss’.

Map of Best Places to Get Married in Central Park

Wood Chip Vantage Pointhow to get married in nyc          |          heiraten in new york

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Sascha@SaschaReinking.com
New York City based Wedding & Elopement Photographer

+1.347.200.5513

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