Posts tagged NYC elopement photographer
NYC City Hall Wedding Photographer: Intimate New York Elopement Photography

A New York City Hall Wedding

Documentary-Style Elopement Photography

Many of you know weddings have been my staple work for the past two decades. Wedding trends evolve constantly, but intimate ceremonies remain timeless — especially City Hall weddings in New York City. These celebrations focus on authenticity, connection, and the energy of the city itself.

The architecture around Worth Street alone creates a cinematic New York backdrop — iconic, energetic, and unmistakably urban. For couples planning an NYC elopement, documentary coverage ensures the day feels natural while still capturing timeless portraits.

Why Couples Choose City Hall Weddings in NYC

There are many reasons people choose New York for engagement sessions and small weddings. First, many people at some point in their lives lived in New York, and many couples met here. The backdrop of NYC is so beautiful to begin with but add nostalgia to it and it becomes the obvious choice. For people who live her, it’s the perfect place to invite families and friends. It’s a destination hub and, well, it’s New York.

Also, people want to keep things simple. I personally am a huge fan of giant weddings, but there’s also something wonderful about an intimate New York City Hall Wedding. Whether you stay living in New York or not, what an amazing memory of getting married in such a magnificent city, and then wandering around there for a photoshoot, or heading over to your favorite New York spots. before settling in with family and friends at an amazing restaurant.

Post-Ceremony Portrait Locations in Manhattan

People, especially from out of town, think that the post-ceremony photo session has to be at the most iconic spots, like the Brooklyn Bridge, etc. But New York is so cool, it’s intrinsically iconic, even if you’re on a generic street. Almost everyone recognizes that you are here in NYC. That’s what I love most about my job. The tapestry is endless. Conclusion, pick any NYC location for your photo session. You simply cannot go wrong.

This couple did a re-enactment of the groom’s parents, right on Broadway drinking Coke in a bottle. They also went to Madison Square Park for some memories of their proposal and stunning posed pictures. The light in the park is exquisite, as it bounces off of all of the bright buildings that surround the park. It’s also one of my favorite places to take outdoor professional headshots.

I love the no-fuss, authentic, exuberant energy of City Hall weddings. To be honest, I too eloped (in Provincetown) and know how very special it is to keep it simple. There’s nothing simple in New York though. The buildings are breathtaking, especially 141 Worth Street, the doors and entryway make an over-the-top New York experience. New York never fails to be magnificent, the architecture and energy is just too beautiful to ever let that happen.

Hidden Central Park Wedding Photo Locations | NYC Elopement Photographer

Hidden Central Park Wedding Photo Locations | NYC Elopement Photographer

Couple photographed in quiet section of Central Park during intimate NYC elopement.

Central Park Conservatory Garden wedding in spring

Best Hidden Spots for Central Park Wedding Photos


There are parts of Central Park most visitors never see — quieter corners that feel surprisingly private in the middle of New York City. These spots are ideal for engagement sessions, intimate weddings, and elopements where couples want the beauty of the park without crowds.

I often guide couples toward lesser-known locations where the light, architecture, and greenery create a cinematic backdrop while still keeping the experience relaxed. For destination couples especially, these hidden areas offer a distinctly New York atmosphere without the chaos people expect.

If you’re planning an NYC elopement or engagement session, choosing the right Central Park location makes all the difference in how natural the photos feel.

Spring wedding couple in the Central Park Conservatory Garden

Wedding in spring in the Central Park Conservatory Garden

Why Couples Choose Central Park Elopements

Eloping in Central Park is an obvious choice, it provides iconic NYC views and at the same time serenity so that you can be truly in the moment. And after the ceremony, it’s just a quick jaunt to other landmarks in the city.

Most tourists go to the portion of Central Park below 96th Street. However, if you have an extra day and want to explore further, go where the tourists rarely venture, to the Conservatory Garden located at 104th and 5th. It’s such a zen place, complete with a crabapple allée as they call it — they even make crabapples sound fancy — an epic entry gate called the Vanderbilt Gate that I just want to hug; an English Garden on the south side (my favorite and featured in the pictures on this post); a beautiful fountain in the Italian section and otherworldly floral displays and statues on the north side, the French garden. It’s like visiting Europe without the lines at the airport.

Weddings in Central Park can be chaotic. Have you ever seen lines of brides on a weekend at the Bow Bridge? I have. This place is a quiet, tucked-in oasis. As my teen would say, it has Max Aura.

Plan Your NYC Elopement with Photos first

Aside from the date, the officiant and the permit — and of course an outfit — you don’t need much more for an NYC Elopement in the Conservatory Garden. Contact me first so we can plan out the photo shoot, My favorite spot is the Burnett Fountain, located at one end of a water lily pool in the Conservatory Garden’s English-style garden. “The Burnett Fountain is a memorial to the children’s book author Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849–1924), known for her novels The Secret Garden, Little Lord Fauntleroy, and A Little Princess.” It’s on the south side, and it’s where a lot of couples have their ceremony because of many things, but especially THAT gorgeous tree, pictured above. A lot of people love getting married under a magestic tree.

To be honest, most of the weddings I did there were destination weddings, of couples traveling from abroad. Since fewer people are traveling to the US these days, I really hope locals will discover this little gem of a wedding venue.

A sweet Sample of Central Park Wedding Pics

I photographed my dear groom Carlos and his husband at the garden, and I only have a few pictures — long story. I asked for more, and he promised he’d send them to me. For now, voila! Carlos and I share a love for Gloria Estefan and he’s just a wonderful person. Full gallery coming soon I hope. These are also wonderful because the officiant is one of my favorite people, Reverend Annie.