December can be a surprisingly busy month for weddings in Central Park, despite it being so cold in New York during the Winter! New York gets lots of visitors in the run-up to Christmas and also in the week in between Christmas and New Year’s. Couples who get married at this time of year will be rewarded with dramatic views of an icy Central Park with bare trees, frozen water and possibly some snow covering. In early December there are still fallen leaves on the ground, as this couple saw on the sunny day when they got married at Wagner Cove.
The couple must pick up their marriage license in advance of their wedding. They must have it at least 24 hours in advance of the ceremony. The City Clerk’s Office is closed on Christmas Day; December 25th, but other than that day, keeps normal office hours. So, keep that in mind when making travel plans. We can perform ceremonies in Central Park pretty much any day of the year, including holidays. However, the Central Park Conservancy will not issue permits for holidays, so if you have a larger group then it’s best to avoid them.
There’s a good chance of the ground being wet in December, so think about that when choosing shoes – many Winter brides have outdoor and indoor shoes for their day. New York does see some rain in December, so a popular choice for a ceremony location is underneath Bethesda Terrace, because this area will protect a large group from the rain. These two grooms got married underneath Bethesda Terrace and enjoyed some beautiful weather. This eloping couple got married on a rainy day, but as you can see from their smiles they didn’t let it ruin their fun.
New York and Central Park are striking in the Winter, so if you’re a person who can cope with the cold, then it’s worth considering getting married at this time. New York can get very hot in the Summer, and not everyone likes the heat. Some people love to get wrapped up in a cosy coat and be outdoors when it’s cold. Some brides have always dreamt of a wedding at Christmas time; this couple got married on Christmas Eve.
Keep in mind that the sun sets earlier during the Winter months. Some couples may want to make the most of that and take photos as the sun goes down, as we had a couple do when they got married the day before New Year’s Eve one year. Some couples may want to make the most of the light (and December does see some crisp, bright days) and get married in the middle of the day.
Think about what to wear if you’re getting married outdoors in New York in December. If you’re wearing a dress, you may want to wear a coat while you say your vows and then take photos inside your hotel and other indoor locations to show off the dress, as this bride and also this bride did, both marrying in the Ladies’ Pavilion. Some couples go to the Tavern on the Green or the Boathouse for dinner or a warm drink and take some photos in there, or some go further afield.
