Karissa and Charlie eloped to New York from their home in England in August. They got married in the Ladies’ Pavilion quite late in the afternoon.
When they first contacted me, Karissa told me that they had been following us on social media since before they were officially engaged! We have some couples coming to us who are not really sure about what they want, and then we get some couples who have had a very clear vision about what they want for their wedding day, and have for some time.
Karissa and Charlie had been together for four years when they got married. They had met through their sisters. Both their sisters had wanted to get them together for some time. The couple had bought a house together, so it felt natural that they would get married one day.
Charlie proposed at Brancaster beach in Norfolk. It was a place they had visited on their third date, and yearly since. Once day in January, he suggested they go on a spontaneous trip to the beach for a picnic, and even though it was freezing cold and windy, Karissa agreed. After they had eaten, Charlie got down on one knee to propose. The reaction was a confusing “Are you being serious”, from Karissa. Charlie asked “…is that a Yes?” It turns out that it was a yes, and there were tears from both parties.
The couple and I talked before they booked their flights to New York. They knew they wanted a simple elopement, but with lots of photos. They were staying in Williamsburg in Brooklyn and they wanted some photos there and at the waterfront at nearby Domino Park before traveling over to Manhattan by Subway. They also stopped for pizza while taking photos in Brooklyn!
Since they were starting their photo session in Brooklyn, I matched them with photographer Jakub Redziniak, who has lived there for most of his life and knows the area well. He met them at the Airbnb where they were staying at in Williamsburg and started there with the photos. Please note that Airbnb are no longer allowed to operate in this way in NYC.
The three of them – the couple and photographer – traveled over to Manhattan for the wedding ceremony in Central Park. They held the ceremony in the Ladies’ Pavilion, one of the most popular wedding ceremony locations in Central Park. It’s a very good choice at most times of the year. Throughout most of August New York is hot and sunny and humid, so it’s nicer to hold a ceremony in a shaded spot at this time of year. The Ladies’ Pavilion has a roof to keep off the sun or the rain, whichever comes along!
Karissa and Charlie had two poems read by the officiant during their ceremony, both chosen by Charlie’s mom. They were All I Want by Afurbie and I Belong in Your Arms by Deborah Bridea and I’ll put them both at the end of the post.
After their photo session in Brooklyn, followed by the ceremony at the Ladies’ Pavilion and photos afterwards in Central Park, they returned to Brooklyn. Karissa and Charlie had their celebratory dinner at The River Café, one of the most famous restaurants in Brooklyn, which has a stunning view over the East River of the iconic Manhattan skyline.
If you would like me to help you with your own Central Park wedding, whether you are visiting the city from the UK as this couple were, or if you’re local to New York, 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.
All I Want by Afurbie
All I want is to love you, for the rest of my life.
I want you to be the one; I’ll wake up every morning with you by my side.
Knowing that no matter what happens, I’ll be able to come to your loving arms.
All I want is to share everything with you.
To be able to talk about our ideas, our dreams and little every day things.
Things that make us laugh, and the not so little things that we can’t help worrying about.
All I want is to give you is my love.
As a place you, can always come to for acceptance.
The simple comfort that silence brings, when things left unspoken, can still be understood.
All I want is to grow old with you, to watch our life unfold.
All I want is to love you forever.
I Belong in Your Arms by Deborah Bridea
I belong in your arms
Finally, I have found a place
Into which I fit perfectly, safely
And securely with no doubts
No fears, no sadness, no tears
This place is filled with happiness and laughter
Yet it is spacious enough, to allow me
The freedom to move around
To live my life and be myself
This wonderful place, which I never believed really existed
I have found finally
Inside your arms, Inside your heart, inside your love
Discover more from Elopements and Weddings in Central Park, New York
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Type your email…
