Canoeing at the Harlem Meer - Central Park Events | Your Complete Guide to Central Park

Canoeing at the Harlem Meer - Central Park Events | Your Complete Guide to Central Park

IF THE GONDOLA IS BOOKED, why not get married in a Canoe in the Meer?

Located in the northern end of the park, the Harlem Meer, covering 11 acres, is the second largest artificial body of water in Central Park and the perfect spot for canoeing. On Sunday, August 1, 2010, bring your family and friends for a day of canoeing on the water.

From 11 AM- 3PM, everyone age eight and up is welcome. Open to all skill levels, all canoeing equipment is included, but get there early because it is first-come, first-serve. For further information contact the Urban Park Rangers at 212-628-2345.

Tavern on the Green Patio to Become a Snack Shop |

Tavern on the Green Patio to Become a Snack Shop | Your Complete Guide to Central Park
Last month, we learned that talks with potential restauranteurs to re-open Tavern on the Green had collapsed (full story here). According to the Wall Street Journal, the latest update is that Manhattan Officials are planning to set up four different food carts on the patio of the defunct Tavern on the Green, which closed on January 1, 2010 after declaring bankruptcy.
It was reported by representatives of Manhattan's Community Board 7 that the intention is to serve a higher quality of cart food that goes beyond the standard dirty water hotdog. There are talks that the carts, which, after going through a licensing process and are expected to be open by the fall, will even have a liquor license to sell beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages.
Additionally, according to park officials, there is a plan to place a bicycle rental facility in the parking lot of the former establishment.

Meanwhile - the Boat House is still open....

Bethesda Fountain | Your Complete Guide to Central Park

Bethesda Fountain
is repaired... the washrooms are still closed, and Cherry Hill is still under repair.

Top of the Rock wedding (Rockefeller Centre)

The Top of the Rock on a misty day, another picture by the excellent Katje Hempel.
Even on a cloudy, rainy day, you can see the Empire State Building rising from the mist. But it's dry and warm in side, and then you can pop outside to the observation deck for some dramatic pix.

Hi Line Wedding

Well, this was the FIRST wedding ever held on the hiline - I just found the picture now.  The photographer was the excellent Katje Hempel, and this is just BEFORE the heavens opened and we all ran from a torrential downpour and hid under the overpass.  This is the southern end of the HiLine, at Gansevoort, and you can see the glass panel which is the most southernly end.  You can manage to do a 'guerilla' wedding on the hiline, but best is midmorning, and mid-week - this is a Monday @ 10 am, and we sort of assembled like a flashmob.

Great pix from Bow Bridge in Central Park

Here's a lovely picture of a couple on Bow Bridge in Central Park, with the San Remo in the background, and some little boats wandering through the lake.

The photographer is our friend, Mike Skoglund.  Our colleague Eileen performed the wedding ceremony. 

Lovely sunny day! 

Most Elaborately Choreographed Wedding Proposal Ever - in Madison Park

link


As the comments say:
No, a proposal like this isn't for everyone. But it's clear from her responses that she's not upset. She's marrying a guy who it appears went to clown school? ... Anyone who has that amount of enthusiasm for sheer, balls-to-the-wall adoration and love, I can't help but like. And it's touching that she's so surprised and ohmygod that she forgets her purse, but he runs back to get it for her.

Central Park Construction Update: Bethesda Terrace, Cherry Hill

Central Park Construction Update: Bethesda Terrace, Cherry Hill

Remember, Central Park is bigger than Monaco, and you can always find another spot. But do avoid these areas if you don't want netting and bobcats in your pictures.

Statue of Liberty open at dusk - for a fee

The National Park Service announced that starting in June they'll allow evening visits to tour the grounds and dine on Liberty Island, at least through mid-August. The decision was spurred by a successful two-day experiment last September, which they described as "once in a lifetime" (here are our photos). Though the statue won't be open for visitors, it's probably best not to climb those stairs after dark anyway!

They'll be charging $35 for adults, and $15 for kids—a fee that includes a ride there and back from Statue Cruises. an hour or two stay, and dinner. The chief operating officer of the Statue Cruises told the NY Times that last year "everybody either had a date or a tripod."

NOTE: You can't REALLY get married there. It doesn't have an address, it's in JERSEY, and they'll be pretty strict.  BUT, you could take the ferry, have part of the ceremony, go back and sign the papers back on the dock in Manhattan.  Just saying.  Beth knows how to do this, so if you're interested, we'll send you to her. She also knows a great location down by Battery Park with a FREE view of Miss Liberty for dusk weddings..

New Eatery Opening at the Sheep Meadow |

New Eatery Opening at the Sheep Meadow
At 7AM on Saturday, May 15, 2010, a new branch of the Belgian restaurant, Le Pain Quotidien will be opening in the Mineral Springs Pavilion located near the 69th Street entrance of the park. Patrons can also enjoy an extended range of free Wi-Fi or have a seat on the 100-seat terrace overlooking the Sheep Meadow. So you can have your belgian waffles and vegan ice cream picnic after your wedding.

Bklyn Bridge repairs - 24 weekends of bad traffic

The Brooklyn Paper: Closed! Bklyn Bridge repairs cause fear and loathing in Heights
But of course, there's always MORE news about traffic and the Brooklyn bridge...

 "The Brooklyn Bridge is getting the facelift — but Brooklyn Heights is getting the worry lines. A mammoth renovation project that begins soon will close the Manhattan-bound lanes of the historic span at least 24 weekends and many weeknights, creating intense congestion as cars jam the Manhattan Bridge, the closest alternative..."

BREAKING: City reaches deal to ‘Stop the Chop’

The Brooklyn Paper: BREAKING: City reaches deal to ‘Stop the Chop’
Back to the park for Brooklyn weddings - it looks as if the helicopter tours are being eliminated, and we can hear ourselves again by the Brooklyn Bridge, on the Promenade, at Fulton Landing, and in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

2010 Lineup for Summer Concert Series | Your Complete Guide to Central Park

Good Morning America 2010 Lineup for Central Park Concert Series

Here is the concert schedulefor Good Morning America concerts at Rumsey Playfield.
This year, the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato will kick off on May 21st as they perform songs from the movie Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. So if you want a quiet morning wedding near 70th street - AVOID these dates and location. Even when the concert's over, it will be crowded and noisy. (Though you might enjoy Sarah McLachlan and Nora Jones on June 11 :-)

Cherry Blossom Season Comes Early to City - Gothamist

Cherry Blossom Season Comes Early to City - Gothamist
Yes, the blossoms are here early - to the parks! to the parks!

(try the cherry orchard West of the Reservoir in Central Park)

The Jamaica Underwear Run - Central Park Events

The Jamaica Underwear Run - Central Park Events

Be warned! For 2010, the event will take place on July 16th at 7:30 PM. This is no formal run; there is no gear or training required as long as you have your underwear and only your underwear.
In 2009, doubling the previous number, the run broke the world record for the greatest number of people gathered in their undies with 448 runners baring all and 2010 is supposed to be another big year.
I suppose, yes, you COULD get married in your underwear.  But I'm not wearing it to marry you -)

Sigh - Gavroche is leaving 14th street...

"Bonjour!!!!  I want to say thank you for coming to Gavroche during those years. Gavroche is going to move the East Side probably under my name Camelia.  Gavroche for the last 2 years has been fighting but he does not want to go back to the barricade, so he will move …..

I might have a nice young man who will take over my lease; it will be a lovely Italian restaurant.  The door will close on Saturday night after the service . Merci!!! Merci!!!!  I had a great time  and  you were terrific and easy to serve you

  A Bientot,   Camelia Cassin"

(how sad I am - lovely back garden with the fountain for weddings! let us wish Mme Cassin Bonne Chance!!!

Weddings at Brooklyn Bridge Park = Main Street Lot

The new website for the Brooklyn Bridge Parks  is here. See interactive Map Here
As we have written in previous posts, it's very confusing to sort out who manages all of these parks in terms of weddings and permits.  Evidently, the Brooklyn Bridge Park to the NORTH is now called the Main Street Lot (because it used to be a parking lot) and you can still book it for over 20 people for $25.  Contact the Brooklyn City Parks Office of Special Events at: 718-965-6993, or use the City Park Department website, listed at the top of ElopeNewYork.com.

Pier 1 *IS* accepting wedding ceremony permits 
Brooklyn Bridge Park (with the exception of Main Street Park, administered by the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation) is currently accepting applications for permits but not granting any permits until May 1, 2010.  Permits for private events will not be granted (with the exception of wedding ceremonies on the Pier 1 promenade) until January 1, 2011.

The Empire Ferry State Park (Tobacco Warehouse)  is closed till 2011, and they're going to install the Carousel, etc., so you can't book it now.  Evidently. Who knows?  But it's the one that charged up to $700 for 40 people for a quick wedding under the bridge - because it's a STATE park.

Brooklyn Bridge News Blog (not well updated)

Weddings of more than 20 people in a park need a permit

We've had a bunch of phone calls from people planning weddings for 40, 60, 100 people, and who expect to be able to go to Battery Park, Central Park, etc. and simply hold an outdoor wedding.  PLEASE read our posts on wedding sizes.  Most of the comments on this blog are about ELOPEMENTS - small wedding parties of under 20 people.  And that's too many for Brooklyn Bridge!  Here is the cheat sheet for crowd size in Central Park, again.  BIG weddings (over 40 people) are hard to site.  NO CHAIRS, no decorations, no poles, no canopies, no amplified music, no rice, no flower petals.  If you want that, book a wedding hall.

Any EVENT in a PARK over 20 people needs a permit. That means ANY park - Brooklyn Bridge Park, Prospect Park, Battery Park, Madison Park -- even hipster weddings at East River State Park.. So you can't just turn up in a park with a big group of people and have a wedding.  And if you want a popular spot, GET A PERMIT, even if you have 6 people.  Because if someone else has a permit, you must vacate the space.

Part of Brooklyn Bridge Park will open

After more than 20 years of planning, a portion of Brooklyn Bridge Park will open on Monday. Following a 9:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting with Gov. Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg, the Pier 1 section of $350-million greenspace will open to the public, Brooklyn Heights Blog reports. Pier 1—which boasts a 2.5 acre lawn and a 1,300 foot esplanade near Fulton Ferry Landing—was actually supposed to open late last year, but bickering between the city and the state over control of the park caused delays. News of Pier 1's debut comes just one week after the city obtained control of the Brooklyn Bridge Park. Unfortunately, Pier 1's proposed wine bar probably won't be ready for opening day, according to Curbed.   (THIS FROM GOTHAMIST)

Update:  More pix here.

Spring wedding - find the south side of a tree

Spring is here! The snow melted last night and here are spring crocuses on the hill at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.  Which means they'll be in Prospect Park, too -- Happy spring wedding!

There may be meatballs in your wedding

You NEVER KNOW what's going on in NYC.  Here is the Fulton Ferry Landing, always a nice spot for an impromptu wedding with a great view of Manhattan.  Today, we have the MeatBall eating contest occurring in the great little corner where we often conduct weddings.  So if you're not dressed in cheerleader outfits with blue pompoms, try the Brooklyn Promenade.  Just don't wander over to the River Cafe or the Fulton Ferry Park, as they'll unceremoniously kick you out.

Here is the Fulton Ferry Landing on Bride Picture Day - can you count all the brides? I think they're one wedding, and the rest (of the 7) are photo shoots.  This is a view from Brooklyn Bridge.

YOU CANNOT BRING CHAIRS ON BROOKLYN BRIDGE

Please read the POST. This is a pedestrian walkway. You cannot block it. You cannot bring things. It is noisy. It has bicyclists. You have to walk 1/4 mile to get to the middle to stand in a group. It is not a VENUE - it's a funky alternative to standing in a small group on Fulton Landing or the Promenade. NO MORE THAN 8 people.

NO WEDDINGS ALLOWED in BELVEDERE CASTLE

Please read the post. This is a Nature Center. With Rangers. NO weddings inside, or on the balcony. Proposals only - and maybe some discreet pix on a non-busy day. You can get married (with a small group) on the terrace OUTSIDE, overlooking the Turtle Pond.

Wedding, Dinner: Get married and go out to eat on Restaurant Week

and some of your favorite restaurants will be extending their NYC Restaurant Week Winter 2010 menu through February 28. For restaurants and deals click HERE.

First wedding of 2010 - Amazing Beth

Here's a report from our Senior Wedding Great-Granny, Beth:
"Guess who did the 1st 2010 wedding? As the Ball in Times Square was dropping I pronounced Rick and Melissa, Husband and Wife! The crowd cheered! Actually, Folks around were so tickled to be participating, so to speak, they circled round the Bride and Groom while they were dancing to John Lennon's Imagine. It was great fun!

Happy New Year to all, and especially to all the couples we met and married in 2009. Mary, Beth, and Eileen, the 'wedding grannies' of New York.

Last Call at Tavern on the Green

[Diners enjoy lunch in front of a mural of Central Park at Tavern on the Green today, its last day of operation before it closes for good after New Year's Eve. Image via Getty]

from Gawker.com

Christmas Eve Wedding 2010 - CIty Clerk Closed

ALERT! Because Christmas Day falls on a Saturday in 2010, the City Clerk's Office is taking Christmas Eve for the Statutory Holiday Christmas Day. That means you will have to get a Christmas Marriage License by 3:45 on Dec 23 at the latest. You will not be able to get a judicial waiver on Christmas Eve either, as the Court will be closed. Plan accordingly!

Top of the Rock, New Years Eve

The TOTR will be closing at 10pm on NY Eve - so if you're planning a little quick elopement, book your officiant earlier in the day. As always, avoid sunset (big crowds)and be prepared for the touristas!

Manhattan Marriage Bureau is at 141 Worth Street

Because of queries, here is a reminder. Here is the Manhattan Marriage Bureau, 141 Worth. If you applied online, or if you need an apostille, or if you want your license printed the next day, go HERE.  If you want shorter lines, go to Brooklyn.  You can get your license anywhere in the State of New York and be married in NYC, but the Manhattan office handles all the complicated applications and will issue the marriage licenses for international use the next morning. Go early.  They also have the most staff, and if you get there early, it's pretty painless.

Art and Marriage - Top of the Rock and Moma

The Museum of Modern Art, MOMA, is on W 53rd, 3 blocks from Rockefeller Center. If you're vising (or getting married) at the Top of the Rock, you can get a combined ticket for admission to MOMA for $30. The deal is HERE.