The Pool in Northern Central Park

Particularly for elopements, Central Park remains a favorite location in NYC, filled with popular spots that couples love including the Ladies Pavilion, Bow Bridge, Shakespeare Garden, Bethesda Fountain, Belvedere Castle, and Wagner Cove.  To be sure, each location has its charms.  The Bow Bridge, for instance, is the longest and arguably most romantic bridge in the Park.  With sweeping vistas in all directions, it is lovely.  Wagner Cove is a sweet gazebo, tucked away on the pond, yet accessible by the 72^nd street entrance.  The gorgeous Bethesda Fountain has been featured in many films—to the north of the fountain is the lake and Boathouse; to the south is the Bethesda Arcade, with it unique mosaic tiles.  And, rolling hills envelop the iconic statue, to the east and west.

All of these locations are “mid-park,” and a casual observer might think that the northern area of the Park is far less beautiful.  However, this is surely not the case!  The far reaches of the park, between 96^th street and 110^th, the top of the Park, host fabulous locations for private weddings.  Moreover, these areas are utilized by far fewer people.  In other words, if privacy is important to you and your beloved, consider this area for the ceremony and portraits, too. 

Around the 103^rd Street and Central Park West entrance is an area known to Central Park enthusiasts as “The Pool.”  It has everything one could want for a picture perfect wedding spot:  slightly elevated climbing rocks, with the cityscape in the Southern background.  A beautiful lake and gentle waterfall dot the landscape, with beautiful flowering trees and sweet flowers.   

Many New Yorkers are not familiar with this part of the Park, and that is doubly true for out-of-towners.  Easy to get to on the subway (103^rd street stop on the A, B & C lines), I guarantee that it is well worth the trip.  Enjoy some sweet images from a recent elopement on a rainy Saturday.  

Bow Bridge

The Bow Bridge, in the central area of the park, is among the most popular locations for wedding photographs.  Some couples find it so breathtaking that they wish to have their ceremony on the bridge.  The Central Park Conservancy explains that the bridge measures nearly 90 feet, with two-thirds of the bridge crossing the Lake, linking the flowering landscape of Cherry Hill and the sprawling woodland of the Ramble.  The Bow Bridge, arching gracefully like a bow of an archer or violinists, is the oldest cast-iron bridge in the Park (and the second oldest in the nation).

While the bridge can be a bustling location during the busiest parts of the day, ceremonies in the morning and before sunset will enjoy a greater degree of privacy.  But I've found at any time of the day, passers-by are respectful of wedding activities.

An added bonus of weddings and photos in this area are secret nooks, featured in some of the fabulous photos of Divine Light Wedding Photography, that create beautiful, romantic portraits for the day. 

 

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Bethesda Fountain, Central Park

The Bethesda Fountain is one of the iconic landmarks of Central Park, included in numerous movies, including Angels in America.   The area is easy to locate, mid-park and convenient from both Fifth Avenue and Central Park West at 72^nd.  It’s impossible to miss the Fountain, with the beautiful Terrace, grand staircase and plaza area, adjacent to the lovely pond with the Central Park Boathouse in the background.

The Fountain is one of the largest in New York, 26 feet high and 96 wide. It’s the only sculpture in the park to have been commissioned as part of the Park’s original design.  Known as the Angel of Waters, it features and eight-foot bronze angel standing above four small cherubim representing health, purity, temperance, and peace.  The angel herself carries a lily in one hand while the other remains outstretched, poised in the action of delivering a blessing on the water pouring from around her feet and into the basin at the bottom of the fountain. This is to commemorate the 1842 opening of the Croton Aqueduct, which supplied New York City with fresh water.

Bethesda Fountain is an excellent area for wedding photos, and one of the most alluring features of the area is the Bethesda arcade, a great “back-up” location for a wedding impacted by rain (or snow!).  A ceremony can take place near the Fountain, in the arcade (which is filled with stunning mosaics and interesting lighting), or the grand staircase and mezzanine, all featured in the slideshow below.  One consideration:  the Fountain is a busy area, filled with Park visitors and, from time-to-time street performers, so it probably wouldn’t be the best location for those seeking privacy for their special occasion.  But certainly, it is worth a visit when strolling about the Park!

A Secret Gazebo: Hidden in Plain Sight

During the summer, the most popular wedding spots in Central Park are jam packed with couples from all over the world. Locations such as the Ladies Pavilion, Shakespeare Garden and Wagner Cove may seem like revolving doors on weekend afternoons. However, I was recently reminded of a fabulous ceremony location that is hidden in plain sight.  Around 5th Avenue at about 67th Street, one can gaze atop a little hill in Central Park to find a perfect gazebo, which is much the same style as the very popular Cop Cot Gazebo in the south side of the park. The sweet spot features beautiful views all around, with some stunning 5th Avenue properties on the east side of the structure, offering an iconic New York City photo opportunity. Like Cop Cot, this area provides terrific seating for wedding guests in need of a rest. This tree house, of sorts, is nearly always empty, so it is perfect for a secret elopement or small ceremony. I was first introduced to the location by a young New York couple who scouted out the area for their spring 2011 wedding. More recently, a couple from the U.K. noticed the gazebo, where we held a moonlight ceremony.

I have a couple of educated guesses as to why this Gazebo is so often empty. First, since it is not a named location highlighted on the website of the Central Park Conservancy and other organizations, it is not evident to those looking online for a place to marry. In fact, the only "name" associated with this gazebo was found on plaque which reads: "A Tree House for Dreaming," dedicated in 2007. Likewise, because it is pitched on a little hill, it is not altogether obvious how one gains access to the gazebo. Needless to say, in a crowded summer park, this “tree house” is a hidden treasure!

Wagner Cove-Central Park

By far the most popular spot in New York for elopements or small ceremonies is Central Park.  It is a treasured public garden among New Yorkers and familiar to those from other states and countries.  The Park is filled with seemingly limitless areas for ceremonies meeting the preferences of any couple.  Favorite wedding landmarks include the Gapstow Bridge, Ladies Pavilion, and Cop Cot Gazebo, among many others.  A sometimes overlooked wedding spot is the Wagner Cove.

In many respects Wagner Cove is an ideal location for a wedding ceremony or vow renewal.  It is easily accessible to the street and not too far “embedded” in the Park, meaning brides and grooms and their guests won’t need to hike great distances in wedding attire.  The easiest point of entry is 72^nd street and Central Park West.  Yet, despite being in the “middle of it all,” it is relatively secluded.  It is discretely marked with a small stone and plaque, with a set of stone stairs leading to a little shelter on the water.  With a dozen or more steps, fashioned in a “L-shape,” it is an awesome entrance for a wedding processional.  The tiny covering is open, but may provide some bit of covering should the summer rains appear.  The Wagner Cove is surrounded by the pond, keeping onlookers away from the area.  And because of the way it is situated on the pond, slightly below the main road, it provides terrific backdrops for beautiful photographs, with a variety of backdrops. 

According to the Central Park Conservancy, Wagner Cove, named for famed New York politician Robert Wagner, is one of the oldest locations in the Park.  It was erected in a long ago era, when boats ferried passengers between locations in the Park.  Like the other areas in the Park, a permit is required for wedding gatherings of more than about two dozen individuals.  However, with some flexibility and a willingness to consider “off times” (morning or early afternoon ceremonies or weddings during the week), the strategic bride and groom can use the facility for free!  Even during popular times, like a Saturday evening during “high” wedding season, if a couple has some flexibility and is willing to accommodate those with Park permits, they can shoe horn their ceremonies between those in which permits are secured.  

Take a look at some of the fun pictures of ceremonies that I have conducted there over the past several weeks—a young couple eloping from California, a “surprise” wedding vow renewal given to a Canadian wife by her beloved husband, and a long-awaited union for a gay couple from Louisiana.  Each and every couple adored this spot.  Consider it for your event during any season of the year! 

Imagine Mosaic: All You Need is Love

I have noticed something of a trend with Beatles musics making their way into wedding ceremonies.  Songs like "Here Comes the Sun" and "All You Need is Love" are being used as both processional and recessional music by a number of brides and grooms (and not all from the U.K.!).  I recently worked with a groom who was an extremely devoted Beatles fan.  Not only did the ceremony include a quote from John Lennon ("A dream you dream alone is only a dream.  A dream you dream together is reality.") but it was held at the Imagine mosaic in Central Park, near the home of the late Mr. Lennon.  The symbolism of the mosaic is wonderful.  When John was struck down, his beloved Yoko Ono created a garden in his memory.  As a testament to his desire for peace is the Imagine mosaic was crafted by artisans in Naples.  On the pathway of peace are the names of 121 countries who wished to be remembered in John and Yoko's quest for peace.

Should a couple choose to have a little ceremony in this sweet Central Park location, there is no doubt that they will be accompanied by a number of onlookers.  However, without question, people in the Park love a wedding!  For this couple we kept the Beatle theme going with my IPod and portable speaker, which was "loaded up with Beatles favorites.  We enjoyed the tunes during my requisite champagne toast and cake sharing.  As John would beautifully articulate, "In the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"

Gapstow Bridge, Central Park

Photograph by John Mazlish

For those who study celebrations and rituals, bridges have a special symbolism. Bridges provide a stunning visual of the transition from two single people into a newly married couple. Among the iconic bridges of Central Park is the Gapstow Bridge in the southern part of our Park, over the pond at about 59th Street. A ceremony can be held on the bridge or on one side or the other, but passersby will certainly be part of the wedding! Also, there are beautifully manicured areas below the bridge, with stunning flowers, rocks and of course the pond, that can set the stage for the ceremony, with the Bridge regally situated in the background. And, any direction you turn, a breathtaking backdrop awaits, with the cityscape of mid-town Manhattan appearing in photograph after photograph.

According to the official Central Park website, the bridge resembles the Ponte di San Francesco bridge in San Remo, Italy. South you will find the famous Plaza hotel as well as the Wollman Rink, filled with skaters during the winter months. Now almost 150 years old, the Gapstow bridge is 12 feet high and stretches 76 feet, spanning over 40 feet of water. Stunning!

Photos from John Mazlish Weddings.
See more photos by clicking through the slideshow below!

A Favorite Spot: Ladies Pavilion

One of the most popular wedding spots with my brides and grooms is the Ladies’ Pavilion in Central Park. The little structure is at 76th and Central Park West, easily accessible by the street. The ornate gazebo-type structure comfortably houses 20 or so guests and provides some covering for a rainy day. The Pavilion reminds me a bit of a gingerbread house, with ornate cast iron details. 
According to the Central Park Website, it is an excellent example of 19th Century decorative arts. Built in 1871 by architect Jacob Wrey Mould, it was erected to provide shelter for trolley passengers. It received a much-needed facelift some 30 years ago. Like the Cop Cot Gazebo, it lends itself to the analogy of the home being created by the newly married couple. The Pavilion provides for nice photo opportunities as it is immediately adjacent to the pond, with the cityscape (Central Park South area) in the background. The Pavilion has a sweet pathway leading to it, providing for a great processional walk for the bride and any attendants. An added bonus is its placement next to Hearnshead, the rocky point overlooking the water, another nice venue for photographs.

Hernshead, another popular open air area, juts out into the lake, with a flat “platform” at ground level and elevated rocks, about 12 feet above the ground (a perfect perch for exchanging vows!). To the great Mr. Olmstead who is responsible for our crown jewel, Central park, he thought the shape of the peninsula resembled a heron (hern in British translation). He brought horticultural attention to the site with herbaceous plants and shrubs and seasonal flowers including the blooming azaleas, a Mother’s day burst of color. In June enjoy the flowering Mount Laurel. The Hernshead was restored about a decade after the Pavilion.

See more photos by clicking through the slideshow below!

Belvedere Castle: Fit for a Royal Wedding

Photo by Laura Pennace

We stand in the Belvedere Castle, one of the grandest and oldest locations in the Park, built in 1865.  The Castle is located in the middle of the Park at 79^th Street.  Perched atop Vista Rock, this venue gives us sweeping views of the Park, including the Delacorte Theatre, Turtle Pond and the Ramble.  The translation of the Italian word Belvedere means “beautiful.” Created as a place of romantic fantasy, the Castle sets the stage for one of life’s magical moments--two individuals making lifelong commitments.

The Belvedere Castle was designed at the end of the Civil War by Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould, as a “fantasy structure.”   With its strong stone façade, grand turret and flag, the castle was a stunning attraction in Central Park.   Like many landmarks in the Park, the Castle deteriorated for some time, but it was renovated by the Central Park Conservancy in 1983.  With its grand views, stunning overlook, and beautiful staircase it makes a fabulous setting for a ceremony and beautiful photographs, too!

See more photos by clicking through the slideshow below!

Cop Cot Gazebo, Little House on the Crest of the Hill, Central Park

This little spot, on the south side of Central Park (at 6th Avenue and Central Park South, to be exact), is a favorite spot for small weddings. Cop Cot is a Scottish name, translated means “little house on the crest of the hill.” The little Gazebo, which is an open air, large rustic word structure, is a recent replica of the original structure build in the ante-bellum era. In the summer, the black locust trees all about will bloom and fill the air. For those of Jewish ancestry, the Gazebo will be akin to a Chuppah. Otherwise, I often connect the structure to the home that the bride and groom are making as a new family.

This location is popular with many of my couples for a number of reasons. As it is just off Central Park South, it is within close proximity to many of the nice midtown hotels were brides and grooms and their families choose to stay while in New York. Among the favorites are The Plaza, The Mandarin Oriental Hotel at the Shops at Columbus Circle (Time-Warner Center) and the Jumeirah Essex House. With a lovely elevated walkway, it makes a perfect location for a processional wallk for a lovely bride.  The circlular spot has bench seats around the perimeter for those who may need to be seated during the ceremony, and it comfortably seats 30+ people. 

It offers great photo opportunities with both landscape and cityscape (it overlooks the pond!)  in the background.  Likewise, after the ceremony, a couple may head back to the avenue to step into a horse drawn carriage.

For additional photos, click through the slideshow below!

Conservatory Garden, Central Park

I often refer to Central Park as a crown jewel of New York City, with a long, rich history. With acre after acre of open space in the Center of Manhattan, Central Park offers truly countless sweet spots where a small wedding may take place. And even for someone like me, who meanders around the Park for many weddings, I am delighted to be introduced to new landmarks on a regular basis. One such place that I recently enjoyed was the Conservatory Gardens.

The Conservatory Gardens is a spacious area in the north end of Central Park, an area less that attracts fewer visitors than more centrally located destinations. The Conservatory Gardens is situated above 96th street and is surrounded by Harlem and East Harlem (also known as Spanish Harlem). For those seeking more privacy during the ceremony, this is an excellent choice. But the Conservatory Gardens is not simply a quiet destination, it is filled with stunning open areas, an impressive foundation and manicured gardens that are unique to the overall park.

Tucked in the Conservatory Gardens, you will find replicas of European gardens, including designs prized by the French and Italians. It is a little piece of the Luxembourg garden in Paris or the Kew Gardens near London. During the spring and summer months the colors and varieties of blooming flowers, shrubs and trees, is breathtaking making not only a terrific venue for a wedding but a backdrop for beautiful pictures of a lifetime. 

Click through the slideshow below for additional photos!

Shakespeare Garden, Central Park

Among my favorite spots in Central Park is the Shakespeare Garden.  This quaint nook is situated off of Central Park West at about 79^th Street.  Even for the directionally challenged like myself, the path to the Garden is obvious, and it behind the little Swedish Playhouse.  The little slice of Heaven was created nearly a century ago, to mark the 300^th anniversary of the death of Shakespeare.  Among the charming elements of the garden is the fact that all of the flowers and herbs in the area are mentioned in some work of The Bard.  No matter the season, the garden is a superb spot for a small wedding.  This area is multi tiered, facilitating beautiful photographs.  With a beautiful staircase, it provides for a beautiful processional for the bridal party.

The apex of the garden is a small area perfectly set aside from others in Central Park.  Over the many times that I have been to this part of the Park, I am always surprised at had quiet it is, with relatively few visitors.  This is of great benefit to any wedding party.  On a hill directly above the Garden is the Belvedere Castle, another excellent photo location for any wedding.

To see more photos of Shakespeare Park, enjoy the slideshow below.