PHOTOGRAPHY INSPIRATION Cynthia Chung PHOTOGRAPHY INSPIRATION Cynthia Chung

6 Great Locations For An Intimate Wedding Ceremony / Micro Wedding / Elopement in New York City

I hope this list will be useful to all of you guys that were planning (or will plan) your NYC wedding and elopements! I know things are looking a little unpredictable these days due to the covid-19 pandemic, but throughout all of this, it does highlight the importance of people around you and to never take anything or anyone for granted.

I figured it wouldn’t hurt for some of you guys to use some of this downtime to plan ahead, get inspired, so that when we do move past this difficult time, you’ll be SO READY to put a ring on it and run and marry that special person in your life.

I am wishing everyone will stay safe and appreciate those hard at work on the front lines and the people around you <3

And now onto my list….

1. Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, New York

NYC-ELOPEMENT-PHOTOGRAPHER-PHOTOGRAPHY-INTIMATE-CEREMONY-WEDDING-PHOTOS.jpg

Brooklyn Bridge Park - It’s funny because most people want that iconic New York City skyline, but they don’t seem to remember that if you’re on Manhattan island… you’re not going to get those gorgeous building skyline view of NYC! So I always love to recommending to my couples to think about getting married at Brooklyn Bridge Park. There is a wonderful view of all the New York City lower Manhattan buildings, such as the Freedom Tower (One World Trade Center), Brooklyn Bridge itself, and many more!

2. The Brooklyn Promenade, Brooklyn, New York

NYC-BROOKLYN-BRIDE-PARK-BROOKLYN-PROMENADE-ELOPEMENT-WEDDING-NY-CITYHALL-CYNTHIACHUNG-0028.jpg

The Brooklyn Promenade - The same idea as Brooklyn Bridge Park, but a little more tucked away from the crowds, private and intimate. The promenade is a little area that is just a short walk away from Brooklyn Bridge Park and also has a beautiful view of the New York City skyline!

3. Central Park - New York City

SAMANTHA-KEVIN-NYC-WEDDING-BRIDEGROOM-CYNTHIACHUNG-0136.jpg

A popular and WORLD famous place to elope and have an intimate ceremony with close friends and family. There are so many different locations in Central Park that would work to have either a small elopement or a large group. (Any groups over 20 must register for a permit. The permit is $400 - check out Central Park’s Wedding Website for more information since policies are changing everyday!)

My top favorite spots in Central Park are The Ladies Pavilion, Bethesda Fountain / Bethesda Terrace and Cop Cot.

The Ladies Pavilion, Central Park, NYC

The Ladies Pavilion, Central Park, NYC

Bethesda Fountain, Central Park, NYC

Bethesda Fountain, Central Park, NYC

Cop Cot, Central Park, NYC

Cop Cot, Central Park, NYC

4. The High Line, Chelsea, New York City

NYC-WEDDING-PHOTOGRAPHER-NYC-ELOPEMENT-PHOTOGRAPHER-INTIMATE-WEDDING.jpg

The High Line encapsulates the more urban and modern feel of New York City. The High Line is an ever changing art piece that is unique and quirky! It can be lush and organic, mixed with urban and industrial vibes. There are also a lot of great food spots nearby that you can easily get to after the ceremony! (Like Chelsea Market and many other delicious restaurants!)

5. Gantry State Park, Long Island City, New York

NYC-ELOPEMENT-WEDDING-PHOTOGRAPHER-GANTRY-STATE-PARK-PHOTOS.jpg

Gantry State Park - Echoing what I spoke about for Brooklyn Bridge Park, Gantry State Park is located in Queens, just a short bridge away from Manhattan and also boasts an amazing view of the New York City skyline. From this park, you get the midtown nyc building views- so you’ll see the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. For those that are from queens (like me!!!) and for those that want to capture the gorgeous city that they live in- forever in their wedding photographs, this would be a great place to do it! You do need a permit to hold a ceremony there, and you can check out this link for more information.

6. New York City Hall ( City Clerk’s Office)

nyc-cityhall-new-york-city-elopement-wedding-intimate.jpg

The Office of the City Clerk of New York - …And of course, my all time favorite, New York City Hall! A lot of couples have their ceremony here and then spend the rest of their time taking photos around NYC. Since it is an indoor space, it’s also can serve as a great backup location incase of any weird precipitation. New York City weather is always very unpredictable! So if you had an outdoor location in mind for your intimate wedding ceremony and there seems to be projected rain, maybe it would make sense to move to have the ceremony at New York City Hall; then get some photos at some of the previous locations I mentioned in this blog post! For more information about eloping at the NY City Hall, check out this blog post!



Read More
PHOTOGRAPHY INSPIRATION Cynthia Chung PHOTOGRAPHY INSPIRATION Cynthia Chung

Great Locations to have an Intimate Ceremony, Elopement or Micro Wedding in New York City

Finding a space in New York City to have an intimate ceremony, reception or elopement has it’s challenges. Finding a space that is cozy AND has delicious food is even more difficult! So I’ve compiled a list of some great spaces and locations in New York City that would be beautiful (and tasty) to host an intimate ceremony, reception or elopement! …or as we now call theem in the post-pandemic world, Micro Weddings


Freemans Resturant

Freeman Alley, New York, NY 10002
https://www.freemansrestaurant.com
Great places to shoot nearby: Freeman Alley, Lower East Side Streets and Murals


Bobo NYC Restaurant

181 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014
https://www.bobonyc.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: The West Village, Chelsea, The High Line




Chantelle Hotel Rooftop

92 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002
https://www.hotelchantelle.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: Lower East Side, Murals, Soho

NEW-YORK-CITY-ELOPEMENT-PHOTOGRAPHER-PHOTOGRAPHY-INTIMATE-WEDDING-LOCATIONS-SPACES-RECEPTION-SMALL-RECEPTION-0201.jpg
NEW-YORK-CITY-ELOPEMENT-PHOTOGRAPHER-PHOTOGRAPHY-INTIMATE-WEDDING-LOCATIONS-SPACES-RECEPTION-SMALL-RECEPTION-0195.jpg



Haven’s Kitchen

109 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011
https://havenskitchen.com
Great places to shoot nearby: The West Village, Greenwich Village, Madison Square Park and The Flatiron District




Maison May (Brooklyn)

246 Dekalb Avenue, Brooklyn
https://maison-may.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Brooklyn






Casa Mono & Bar Jamon (Michelin Star Restaurant!)

52 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003
https://www.casamononyc.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: Union Square Park, Gramercy Park, Union Square District




Juliette (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

135 N 5th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
https://juliettewilliamsburg.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: Williamsburg, East River State Park, Brooklyn




Upper Story

979 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10022
https://www.upperstoryny.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: Central Park, Lexington Ave



Blue Hill at Stone Barns

(A little bit outside of NYC but definitely a FAV)
630 Bedford Rd, Tarrytown, NY 10591
https://www.bluehillfarm.com/dine/stone-barns
Great places to shoot nearby: The ENTIRE FARM!





Acqua Santa (Brooklyn)

556 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
http://www.acquasanta.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: East River State Park, Brooklyn, Williamsburg, DUMBO



Park Avenue; Spring

PARK AVENUE SOUTH AT 26TH ST. | NEW YORK, NY 10010
https://www.parkavenyc.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: Madison Square Park, Flatiron District




Kabisera

151 Allen St, New York, NY 10002
https://www.facebook.com/Kabiseranyc/
Great places to shoot nearby: Lower East Side, Chinatown, Downtown NYC




The Musket Room

265 ELIZABETH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10012
https://www.musketroom.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: Lower East Side chic storefronts / Murals



Bottino

246 10th Ave, New York, NY 10001
https://www.bottinonyc.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: The High Line, Chelsea, The West Village


Amali

115 E. 60th ST., NY, NY 10022
https://www.amalinyc.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: Central Park, 5th Ave




Gramercy Park Hotel Rooftop; Gramercy Terrace

2 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10010
https://www.gramercyparkhotel.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: Gramercy Park, Flatiron District and Madison Square Park



LAFAYETTE

380 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10003
https://www.lafayetteny.com/
Great places to shoot nearby: Lower East Side, Soho, Chinatown and downtown Manhattan




The Boat House at Prospect Park

101 East Dr, Brooklyn, NY 11225
https://www.prospectpark.org
Great places to shoot nearby: Prospect Park 0:)


Your Own BACKYARD!

…or if you know someone that has a beach house- you can always rent a tent and have an amazing, cozy and simple party there with friends & family!






I hope you enjoyed this post and was able to gain some inspiration for planning your New York City elopement, intimate ceremony or reception! There are honestly so many wonderful restaurants, venues, outdoor parks, spaces all over New York City and I think that’s why I love living and working here- there is never a “cookie-cutter” style for a wedding! If you need any other inspiration for your wedding day or elopement, take a gander at my other blog posts:



Read More