Central Park Boathouse

36 million people visit Central Park every year, making it one of the most popular destinations in New York City for tourists and locals alike. With 843 acres of picturesque wedding locations, including numerous bridges, fountains and impressive event spaces, it’s no wonder that Central Park is also an immensely popular and charming backdrop for both simple and elaborate events.

According to the park’s website, the most popular wedding location is the Conservatory Garden, located at Fifth Avenue and 105th Street.  The six-acre garden is divided into three separate styles of French, Italian and English gardens, all featuring extensive arrangements in bloom from early spring through late October. The thematic design of these settings provides an excellent opportunity for wedding planners to find their fit and style. In addition to unique flora and shrubbery, each section also hosts classic architecture including the Three Dancing Maidens sculpture by German artist Walter Schott, a wisteria pergola, the Untermyer fountain and the Burnett Fountain which depicts a bronzed boy playing his pipe alongside a girl offering a bowl of water for birds to drink.

Central Park Pavilion

In addition to the Conservatory Garden, Central Park offers several other natural and manmade sites for special events. Shakespeare’s Garden, a four-acre landscape, features rustic wooden benches and plaques with quotes from the famous English poet and playwright. There’s also the intricately designed Bow Bridge which stretches 60 feet across the lake linking to the contemplative grove of Cherry Trees, Cherry Hill. The Pond, Cedar Hill, The Mall, and East Green are just some other popular locations the park has to offer both for weddings and special events.

Whether your guests are gathering in the autumn air among chrysanthemums, or the bride is walking down an aisle of Japanese lilac trees, this vibrant outdoor venue could be your perfect  woodland oasis in the heart of the big city.

Visit the Central Park website.

Have you ever attended or performed at an event in Central Park? We would love to hear about your experience or thoughts regarding this venue in the comments section below.