Denise, from County Wicklow and Sean, from County Cork in Ireland came to New York this St Patrick’s Day to be in the parade, but before that they got married in Central Park.
Denise and Sean are both police officers and they met through their work. They had been together for six years before they got married. They had planned to come to New York to participate in the annual St Patricks’ Day parade in the city with the guards. They decided that while they were there they would get married in the city. Denise’s brother was in the city also, celebrating his thirtieth birthday, so he and his fiance were their wedding guests.
They had both visited New York many years ago and they both loved it. They knew that Central Park would be the perfect location for their wedding ceremony, and we discussed possible locations and they chose the Ladies’ Pavilion for its privacy and beautiful backdrop. “The background is stunning for photographs and it is such a romantic spot,” said Denise.
They wanted their wedding date to be on St Patrick’s Day, so we had to start their ceremony bright and early in the morning so that they could get ready and then get down to 44th Street in time to begin the parade at 11am. The New York City St Patrick’s Day Parade is the largest parade in the world, and a very popular event in the city. The parade goes all the way up Fifth Avenue from 44th Street, past St Patrick’s Cathedral and then past the East side of Central Park, all the way up to 79th Street. Everyone in New York is Irish for this one day of the year. The parade finishes around four of five o’clock and many people go on to a nearby Irish bar to celebrate.
St Patrick’s Day will always hold a special meaning for Denise and Sean, now that it is their wedding anniversary. “We will never forget our anniversary date,” said Denise. She wore a wedding dress that she had bought in Ireland and wore a green hat in honor of the day. Denise used her grandmother’s Irish Claddagh ring that she gave to her when she died and Sean’s wedding band was made by a jewellers in Ireland to match it.
They stayed in the Econa Lodge in Times Square and “it was perfect,” said Denise. “The rooms were small but the location and free continental breakfast were great. While visiting the city they saw all the major sights, and the day after their wedding they put a lock on Brooklyn Bridge with their names and the date.
Denise said that this suited them perfectly, they had not wanted a big wedding and they loved the uniqueness of their wedding day. “I found Claire to be very helpful. I’m so glad I had her to arrange the wedding ceremony and officiant,” said Denise.
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Denise and Sean, I wish you the best of luck for your futures together. For more information on planning your own Central Park wedding, visit our website, or “like” us on Facebook for photos and more inspiring stories.
