Hidden Central Park Wedding Photo Locations | NYC Elopement Photographer
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.
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.
