Plan the Most Iconic Last-Minute Wedding Ceremony in Central Park

You’ve dreamed of this moment for your whole life. A dream wedding ceremony in Central Park, across from the person you love, celebrating the love you share. That dream fell under the mountain of seemingly endless obstacles, including the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving you stressed and frustrated. 

What if you could still plan your dream wedding ceremony?

Couples are looking for ways to resume their wedding planning following the Covid-19 pandemic while dealing with new restrictions that have been put into place. Many people are ditching their original Central Park wedding plans and choosing last-minute elopements and micro weddings. For this reason, we’ve put together a simple guide that will help you plan a last-minute Central Park wedding ceremony. 

Last-Minute Wedding Pre-Planning

You can’t have a last-minute Central Park wedding without proper pre-planning. So, let’s get started. You and your fiance have to sit down and start jotting down ideas. What are your expectations, visions, and goals for your upcoming iconic Central Park ceremony? Since you’re planning last minute, is your budget on the lower end? Do you want to have a small, intimate “Vegas-style” ceremony? If you are traveling from out of state, what are the restrictions? Are your expectations realistic? Have you looked into hotel, car, and flight reservations? What about the guest list? And of course, you can’t have a wedding without the iconic Cinderella dress! 

Applying for your Marriage License in New York

In order to have an official wedding ceremony in New York State, you have to acquire a New York State marriage license. Please visit the Office of The City Clerk to apply for a new marriage license.

Central Park Wedding Permit 

As part of our services, all of our packages are inclusive of permits.  We expedite the complete permit process for you. Any other park Permit information can be found on the official NYC Parks Central Park website. 

Iconic Gowns for your Dream Wedding 

You can find last-minute wedding gowns and tuxedos at your local bridal boutique, or at a place like David’s Bridal. 

Guest Invitations

Think fast, and get those invitations sent out faster! If you are planning your dream wedding last minute, sending out e-invitations to your wedding guests is going to be your easiest choice. 

Reception Planning 

Are you having a reception? If so, find a venue that can accommodate your last-minute needs. Looking for simple options? Have a Central Park picnic or choose a restaurant that is able to accommodate you and your guests. Another option would be to hold off on the reception and head straight to your honeymoon destination. 

Create a Gift Registry

Just because you are having a last-minute wedding doesn’t mean you can’t register to a gift registry. It’s convenient for your guests that you create a gift registry in case they can’t make it to your last-minute event. They may not be there physically but they may be able to show their love and congratulations in a gift. It’s the thought that counts. 

Let’s Get the Wedding Planning Started

By using Happenings™, you can plan that last-minute iconic wedding ceremony in just a few minutes, and at a fraction of the cost if you tried to plan it the traditional way. So grab your fiance and start planning your Central Park dream wedding! 

Printable Last-Minute Wedding Checklist

• Stay in contact with your vendors

It’s almost wedding day time and you better make sure that you are prepared! Stay in touch with your vendors and confirm all arrangements ahead of time. 

• Take care of all pending payments

Make sure that you pay your vendors ahead of time so that you aren’t rushing around trying to figure out who needs to be paid on your wedding day. 

• Try to get an insurance policy on your wedding

You can find an affordable insurance plan that covers things from your wedding gown down to the cake. It might not seem like much, but if something (unexpected) happens, you’ll be happy that you are covered. 

• Overpack if you are having a destination wedding

Before booking your flight for your destination wedding, make a list of the important things you need and pack them as early as possible. Since you are traveling for your wedding, it's a good idea to overpack. 

• Create tip envelopes for your vendors

Tips are always greatly appreciated by those that help us get to the big day! An easy way to leave a tip for those that have assisted with your wedding planning is by creating sealed tip envelopes for them before your wedding day. By doing this, you can keep track of who got what without confusion.  

• Bring extra cash in case of an emergency

You might decide that you want to give a tip to someone that wasn't included on your tip list. Likewise you may need to buy something on your way to the ceremony. For this reason, it’s important to carry a little bit of extra cash just in case you aren't able to use a credit or debit card.  

• Be prepared for unexpected weather

Since you're planning an outdoor wedding ceremony, be sure to plan to have umbrellas just in case.  

• Choose a close friend or family member to supervise your ceremony

Prior to your wedding day, make arrangements for a friend or family member to arrive early to your venue to make sure everything is in order. 

• Designate someone to hold your legal documents

Depending on your honeymoon destination, you may be able to get extra benefits by showing proof of marriage. With that being said, ask someone to keep your documentation safe after the ceremony. 

• Please don't go hungry on your wedding day

The worst thing you can do is show up to your wedding hungry with a growling stomach! Pre-order your wedding day meals and have them delivered to your hotel room if possible.  

• Prepare a wedding emergency kit

Accidents happen and it's better to be safe than sorry. Pack an emergency wedding kit just in case something happens. The kit should include a minimum of the following items:

• Make-up items such as face powder, lip gloss, lipstick, mascara, eye shadow, and blush
• Panty-hose
• An umbrella
• Stain remover
• Tissues
• Personal wipes
• Needle and thread
• Snacks

Happenings™ Ever After

Most people give up on their dreams of an iconic wedding ceremony because it feels too overwhelming to plan. We help you create a memory of a lifetime through thoughtfully organized experiences tailored to iconic locations throughout Central Park, so you can step into your moment with those you love.

"The most valuable and important thing we can deliver is an unforgettable memory."

BOOK YOUR LAST MINUTE WEDDING CEREMONY TODAY

About Happenings™ 

Based in Manhattan, Happenings™ founder Tom Noel would often take a walk through Central Park. In 2008, during one of his walks, he stopped to sit at one of his favorite spots in the Park, the Bethesda Fountain. It was here that he realized that the intrinsic beauty that surrounds us was not being harnessed fully. He also realized that not a single business provided the exclusiveness of an affordable and high-quality event planner. Determined to change this, Happenings™ was born.