Juliana and David got married at Wagner Cove with a small group of guests in July. Some of their family traveled a little further than others to attend the wedding. David is from Forest Hills, New York and Juliana is from Colombia. So, some guests traveled from Colombia, some from other US states, and some came from New York City that morning, as David and Juliana did.
They met on the dating app Hinge and hit it off very quickly. “We both share a passion for adventure, nature, movies and trying new things,” David told me. They were pretty much inseparable since meeting, so they knew it was serious straight away. David proposed to Juliana in a heart made of rose petals in candlelight at a Pier near to Brooklyn Bridge.
Once engaged, they considered a beach wedding in Colombia and a garden wedding in Forest Hills. “However, we chose to get married in Central Park for its iconic beauty, movie fame, and sentimental value,” they told me. Getting married felt important to them because it would solidify their commitment and love for each other in a meaningful way. They feel that they complement one another in every possible way, “making life profoundly beautiful,” and who can argue with that?
Their group was twenty five guests, which is on the larger side by our standards in Central Park, but quite small compared to a traditional wedding. I asked what their views were on smaller, more intimate ceremonies. “They seem to allow for a more personalized and memorable experience,” David said, “they do seem to be becoming more popular as people seek unique and meaningful ways to celebrate,” he added.
I always ask couples if they had any worries about getting married in Central Park. For David and Juliana, their worry was the same as many couples who get married outdoors. “Our only concern was the weather, but we were prepared with a backup plan,” they told me. We don’t see too much rain in July, when they got married, but we do see some storms at this time of year. In the end, they had lovely weather, and Central Park turned out to be the perfect choice for them. “We chose Central Park for its natural beauty and iconic New York setting, which made our wedding feel special and unique,” Juliana told me. I asked if they had any regrets about not having a traditional wedding. “No regrets. Our small wedding in Central Park was perfect for us,” she said.
Juliana and David are locals so they had a pretty clear idea of what they wanted from our first contact. They knew where and when they wanted to hold the ceremony, because they were already quite familiar with Central Park. They knew they liked Wagner Cove but I checked that all of their guests would be OK to walk down the steps to the cove anyway, because they are quite uneven and steep, so won’t suite everyone. The ground by Wagner Cove is also quite uneven. But Wagner Cove boasts the perfect balance of privacy (because it’s down those steps, right on the water) and being so close to the entrance to the park and the main iconic photo locations of Bow Bridge and Bethesda Terrace. I asked what their guests thought about them getting married in Central Park. “They loved the idea and thought the setting was beautiful and unique,” they told me.
I asked how we did. “Everything went great! thank you so much. Marrying in Central Park was a dream come true,” David said. He meant this literally. Juliana said that she had dreamed of getting married in Central Park, and the beautiful natural surroundings made it feel like a magical experience.
For the ceremony, we had the officiant talk a little about their story to date, and then David and Juliana read a poem for their guests in both Spanish and English. They exchanged traditional vows and then some personal vows they had written for each other. “The ceremony was intimate and heartfelt,” said Juliana. “We exchanged personal vows that reflected our journey and love for each other,” she said.
I asked where their favorite photos were taken. “Our favorite pictures were taken by the lake, as the scenery was breathtaking,” Juliana told me. Juliana’s dress was purchased from a local boutique, and she carried a bouquet of white roses and lilies, and David wore a classic suit purchased from a designer store in New York.
After the ceremony, the guests went off to their reception location at a nearby restaurant, while David and Juliana went with their photographer Jakub Redziniak to take photos around that center area of the park that I mentioned they were so close to. After that, the newlywed couple joined their guests and that night went to their home in Forest Hills.
I asked if they had any comments for others considering doing the same thing, whether they are from far away, as many of our couples are, or close by, as they were. “The service from Wed in Central Park was beyond exceptional. They took care of all the details, making our day stress-free and unforgettable,” David said. “Thank you again for being so attentive going above and beyond and making our dreams come true,” he added.
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your story with us, David and Juliana, it was a pleasure to plan your wedding with you! I know from writing your ceremony wording with you that you plan for a future filled with love, laughter, and the joy of building a family together. I wish you both the very best of luck for your future together! If you would like me to help you with planning your own Central Park wedding, whether you live locally as this couple do, or are planning on traveling to New York to get married, visit our website. Keep updated with our news and see lots of beautiful photos, follow us on Instagram, follow us on Facebook, follow us on TikTok, and follow us on Pinterest.