Dana and Asiedu met for the second time on the L train. The first time they met was about 20 years prior as teenagers. They dated for four years and then lost touch for 16 years, until a fateful day in 2019 when they crossed paths again in the most New York City fashion. “One night while I was getting off the train heading home from work, I recognized the back of her in the crowd walking out of the station,” Asiedu recalled. “She lived out of state but was visiting her dad who happened to live in my neighborhood. We talked and walked her dad’s block. It took about a year for us to see each other again. We were married about a year and a half later.” The couple, who now lives in Brooklyn and has an 18-month-old son, wed in true New York style at Prospect Park in Brooklyn in the fall of 2021.
“We spent so much time there in our youth — special events like Celebrate Brooklyn, Philharmonic in the park, the farmer’s market on the weekend and picnic dates,” shared Dana.
“It is a very nostalgic place for us and you can’t beat nature as a backdrop.”
In 2024, New York City Parks said it permitted approximately 1,790 events categorized as “weddings” (which also includes related events such as proposals and vow renewals). Though most permits were for parks in Manhattan, wedding photographer Nicki Fietzer of DeNueva Photography said Brooklyn Bridge Park is up there with Central Park as most popular spots for nuptials.
“I shoot about 60ish weddings a year, and usually about half to two-thirds are in city parks,” she said. “They’re iconic New York and have beautiful views,” she said of Central Park and Brooklyn Bridge Park. “I also love a little hidden gem neighborhood park, though.”
Aside from capturing the beauty of the city, a wedding in a New York City park also captures the spirit of the city, bringing the special day right into the community.
“People were wishing us congratulations all throughout the park and in the surrounding area. A few little girls asked me if I was a princess, which was just so sweet,” Dana said.
“The amount of love that we were showered with from strangers on the street and in the park made the day even more magical. People were honking and screaming congratulations from their car and people were stopping us while we walked on the street and in the park to say really nice things,” added Asiedu.
Inspired to plan a park wedding? Here are four things to consider before the big day.
1. Necessary permits
Dana said figuring out the permit process was not entirely smooth, so start early and do your research. As per the NYC Parks Department, “If you want to have any activity in a City park with more than 20 people, or where you would like to reserve a specific area within a park, you need to apply for a special event permit.”
Base permits cost $25 and take 21-30 days to process; they are not available on major holidays. If you plan to have a large guest count or amplified sound, there are additional permits to apply for, as detailed on the NYC Parks website.
Within New York City parks, there are some formal wedding venues such as the Boathouse in Central Park, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum in Pelham Bay Park. Having a reception at one of these venues will require reaching out to the facilities individually as opposed to choosing an outdoor spot for a ceremony.
The city also has a special “wedding garden” near City Hall, “so newlyweds can come straight from the City Clerk’s office for a photoshoot in a beautiful setting,” a spokesperson said. Many of New York City’s historic houses also host wedding ceremonies. Get more information, borough by borough, here.
“Our parks are where New Yorkers meet, fall in love, and make memories, and we’re happy to provide the setting for their most special days,” a Parks Department spokesperson said.
2. Terrain and weather
Fietzer reminds couples and guests to bring comfortable shoes, especially if the wedding is deep in the park.
“Places like Central Park have a ton of ground to cover, you can always change into and out of dress shoes for comfy feet. Be prepared for the elements with an extra coat, hand warmers, or an umbrella as needed,” she advises.
One big consideration for Dana and Asiedu was finding a spot that was accessible for Asiedu’s grandmother, who used a wheelchair. She passed away a year after the wedding, so being able to have her there was all the more special for them.
New York City Parks has a list of accessible facilities here, including bathrooms and gardens, and has an ADA transition plan to improve accessibility in the city’s parks. Couples who need accommodations themselves or for their guests should familiarize themselves with the area where they’ll have their ceremony and make sure it is accessible. There is also an NYC Parks Disability Services Facilitator that can assist and can be reached at 718-760-6831 or [email protected].
3. Time of day
Remember that the city’s parks are public spaces, so there will be other people around. To avoid crowds, consider a weekday wedding, a morning or evening ceremony, or a remote location of the park. For example, a warm spring or summer afternoon on The Great Lawn at Central Park probably won’t be sparse.
4. Photo opportunities
If you’re in search of the perfect shot, consult with your wedding photographer on location and time of day. “Sunrise is always gorgeous” and not crowded, according to Fietzer — though that requires both halves of the couple to be morning people! Sunset is also a lovely time for photos.
“You can get amazing views of an iconic skyline, while also being nestled in a quiet green space if you like,” Fietzer said, pointing out Bethesda Terrace in Central Park and the “soaring archways” in Fort Tryon as a couple favorites.
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