January certainly isn’t the busiest month for weddings in Central Park. It’s COLD in New York in Winter! But couples who are brave enough to stand outdoors to say “I do” could be rewarded with stunning views of Central Park with bare trees, iced over water and maybe even snow. New York and Central Park are striking in the Winter, so if you’re a person who can cope with a bit of cold, then it’s worth considering getting married at the beginning of the year.
Think about what to wear if you’re getting married outdoors in New York in January. An overwhelming number of my brides wear a traditional wedding dress of some style, although I’ve had couples get married in normal street clothes. There are no rules when getting married in a park – do what suits you. If you’re wearing a dress, think about what you might wear under it – I did have a bride who told me that she wore thermals under her gown. There’s a good chance of the ground being wet in January, so think about that when choosing shoes – many Winter brides have outdoor and indoor shoes for their day. Of course, everyone will need a coat for an outdoor wedding in New York in January! Some brides keep their coat on for the ceremony and take it off for photos, some take it off for the ceremony – everyone is different.
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 New Year’s Day; January 1st and the third Monday in January, when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday is observed. So, keep that in mind when making travel plans.
Central Park is a busy place, and your best chance of taking wedding photos with fewer tourists and passers-by in them is in the Winter. That said, you might want to plan some indoor photos. I usually make a plan of timings with couples for their day and if it’s very cold, then it might be better to take some photos outdoors in Central Park, then go indoors for some more photos – then you can show of your wedding gown without shivering. 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. Some couples take photos in Central Park and then get wrapped up in a warm blanket for a horse and carriage ride around the park. We have lots of couples going to Grand Central for photos in Winter months, and one January we actually planned a wedding ceremony for a couple inside of Grand Central.
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 Winter wedding. January is a great month to get married if you’re planning things a little last-minute. Many wedding vendors will be free for most of the month, especially weekdays, so you can probably take your pick of anyone you’d like to be involved in your wedding.
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 on New Year’s Eve one year. Some couples may want to make the most of the light (and January does see some crisp, bright days) and get married in the middle of the day.
There are lots of reasons why you may want to get married in Central Park or elsewhere in New York in the Winter. The couple in the photo about got married on Bow Bridge on New Year’s Day. I’d love to hear any further comments or tips in the comments below. Here my thoughts on getting married in the Winter in Central Park, and also some general thoughts on getting married outdoors.
I can help you with planning your own wedding or marriage vow renewal in Central Park”, no matter what time of year! For more information, please visit our website, or follow us on Pinterest where we pin all things New York or wedding-related, “like” us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram for beautiful photos of newlyweds and couples renewing their vows.