Richard and David brought a group of around thirty with them to New York from their home in England. They got married in Cop Cot in June.
The couple had met seventeen years before getting married, when David started coming to the hair salon where Richard worked. Eight years after they met they started socialising together with a mutual friend and eventually their friendship turned into something more and they became a couple. David proposed to Richard in a restaurant, and they got married three years afterwards, so they’re not the type of couple who rushes things!
David, the guests and the officiant all met at Cop Cot. And then Richard, his groomsmaids and his mom arrived later on. Richard was the first person I’d heard use the term “groomsmaids” and I like it a lot. “Everyone kept asking if I’d have bridesmaids, and I kept saying ‘but I’m going to be a groom not a bride!’ so he explained that he’d be having groomsmaids.” I’ve planned weddings with two grooms since Richard and David’s and groomsmaids is what I’ve called them, since of course there is no bride. Richard had three groomsmaids.
Richard and his party met the photographer at the entrance to the park, which is at 59th Street, and they walked up the short hill to Cop Cot to make their entrance. “Our officiant was great and put us both at ease very quickly,” Richard said. For the ceremony, we have the officiant talk a little about their relationship to date and thanked everyone for coming, especially Richard’s mum, who had given him away. One guest did a reading for the group. Then, Richard and David exchanged traditional vows before exchanging rings.
I don’t usually attend the weddings, but this was a big group and I’m glad I was there to help shepherd everyone around. After the ceremony at Cop Cot, everyone walked up the Mall for photos at Bethesda Terrace. They had gotten married on a Saturday in June, and it was busy. “In hindsight I would have probably skipped going to the fountain, it was too busy and the walk for girls in heels was too much,” Richard said.
After Bethesda Terrace we walked them all out of the park and go the whole group on the Subway. This was quite difficult to keep everyone together, so doing this isn’t for everyone. Although, for a short trip like this, any group transport is going to be quite costly, and it all worked out fine in the end, with the whole group getting off successfully at Bryant Park.
They held their reception at Bryant Park Hotel, in a private room on quite a high floor, overlooking the park. Our photographer stayed with them for a while at the reception to take some photos of the surroundings and then she left them to it.
I asked Richard how we did. “You were really helpful throughout the whole process, and guided us through the administration side of things really well,” he said. “Brill job on guiding us all through the park,” he added. If you would like me to help you with planning your own Central Park wedding, whether you or are visiting New York with a group as this couple did, or if it will be just the two of you; visit our website. Keep updated with our news and see lots of beautiful photos follow this blog directly, or follow us on Instagram, follow us on Facebook, follow us on TikTok, and follow us on Pinterest.
Discover more from Weddings in Central Park, New York
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Type your email…
