Phil and Peter got married in the Ladies’ Pavilion on a beautiful, crisp and sunny morning in October. They contacted me after searching on the Marry Abroad website at the beginning of September. They knew they wanted to get married within just a few weeks. They already had a travel plan in mind, and I just confirmed that it would work, and allow for them to collect their license in advance of the ceremony.
Their group was small. They had three guests to witness their wedding, and we kept the ceremony as simple and as straightforward as possible. Their guests were able to sit on the benches inside the Pavilion while they waited for the couple, but they all stood during the ceremony. We generally suggest that guests stand for a ceremony in Central Park, especially when they’re kept short as this one was.
Usually for the Ladies’ Pavilion, we say that the couple and the officiant can be in the structure, along with the photographer and videographer if they have one. Often the guests stand outside of the structure, if they are a medium to large group (up to 25 are allowed). This means that in case of rain the couple stay nice and dry but the guests need umbrellas. If the couple have a musician they can shelter in there too in case of rain to protect their instrument, but in good weather we’d have the musician outside the Pavilion.
The guests met the officiant at the Ladies’ Pavilion. Then the couple met the photographer Jakub Redziniak at the entrance to the park and walked in with him. The couple walked down the pathway to the Pavilion (kind of like walking down the aisle!) together.
Phil and Peter stayed at The Evelyn, an Art Deco styled hotel in the Flatiron District. They wore matching suits, which always looks lovely with two grooms. They picked up two simple white boutonnieres themselves in advance of the wedding.
After the ceremony, the guests left the park with plans for the grooms to rejoin them later on for a champagne lunchtime celebration. The couple took some time with their photographer to capture photos in the center area of the park, around the Lake and Bethesda Terrace.
If you would like me to help you with planning your own Central Park wedding or elopement, large or small, visit our website. This should go without saying, but all of the Wed in Central Park team love same-sex weddings and we all support marriage equality, but if you prefer a LGBTQ+ officiant or photographer we can provide one for you – just ask. Keep updated with our news and see lots of beautiful photos, “like” us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and follow us on Pinterest.
