Weddings & Photography In The Conservatory Garden
Celebrate your most memorable moments in the heart of Central Park.
Step through the ornate Vanderbilt Gate—crafted in Paris, the City of Love, in 1894—and discover Central Park’s Conservatory Garden, a hidden oasis of elegance and natural splendor. Nestled just beyond Fifth Avenue between 104th and 105th Streets, this six-acre formal garden is a beloved destination for intimate weddings, heartfelt proposals, and timeless photography sessions.
No matter the occasion—exchanging vows, a touching proposal, or an elegant photo session—the Conservatory Garden sets the scene beautifully.
Important Guidelines
Please review our Garden Policies and FAQs before submitting your permit request. For events canceled more than 30 days in advance, refunds will be issued. Cancellations within 30 days are non-refundable.
Have questions about your event? Reach out to us at [email protected].
PLANNING YOUR SPECIAL MOMENT
From quiet proposals under flowering trees to weddings in full bloom, the Conservatory Garden surrounds each moment with tranquility, splendor, and timeless romance.
By hosting your celebration here, you're also giving back: All permit fees directly support the Central Park Conservancy’s ongoing care and preservation of the Garden, ensuring its beauty endures for countless future love stories to come.
Please note: The Garden remains open to the public during all permitted events. Guests may be asked to avoid the immediate event area. Your permit must be presented on the day of your event. Unauthorized events will be interrupted and asked to leave. If you’re not sure whether you need a permit, please contact us at [email protected].
Weddings
Whether you imagine a quiet exchange of vows beneath the wisteria-draped pergola or a springtime celebration surrounded by vibrant tulips, each section of the Conservatory Garden offers a setting as distinctive and beautiful as your love story. Garden wedding ceremonies and proposal events are welcome by permit only—when applying, select the garden space that best captures your vision for the day.
Each wedding permit includes:
- 90 minutes in the garden of your choice for your ceremony and photography
- Seasonally curated landscape maintained by expert Conservancy horticulturists—perfect for sweeping, cinematic memories
- Access to the Center Garden for romantic portraits
Photography
From engagement sessions to special portraits, the Conservatory Garden offers endless romantic vignettes—arching wisteria, sculpted fountains, cobblestone paths, and seasonal blooms that create an ever-changing palette of color and light.
If you're planning a professional or staged photo shoot, a permit is required. This includes senior portraits, family photos, prom pictures, and other milestone celebrations.
Each photography permit includes:
- Access to all three garden spaces during your 90-minute session
- Freedom to move between lush English-style plantings, Italianate symmetry, and French floral elegance
- A peaceful, natural canvas for the timeless images that will tell your story for years to come
DISCOVER YOUR VISION IN THE GARDEN
Renowned for its symmetry, serenity, and breathtaking floral displays, the Conservatory Garden offers a timeless setting that feels both intimate and grand. From early spring through late October, a rotating display of vibrant flowers transforms the garden into a living work of art—making it a favorite backdrop for boutique weddings and milestone moments.
The Conservatory Garden is made up of three distinct gardens—each with its own aesthetic, mood, and charm. Download the Conservatory Garden map to discover the layout and features of each garden.
The North Garden
A formal French-style garden, this area bursts to life in spring with an awe-inspiring display of tulips and closes the season with richly colored Korean chrysanthemums in fall. At its heart stands the Untermyer Fountain, featuring the Three Dancing Maidens by sculptor Walter Schott, framed by an intricate parterre that invites elegant ceremonies and graceful photography.
The Center Garden
Inspired by the Italian Renaissance, this garden is a favorite for ceremonies thanks to its lush central lawn, flanked by flowering crabapple allées that bloom pink and white each spring. A single-jet fountain anchors the space, while a wisteria-covered pergola offers a naturally romantic aisle or backdrop for wedding portraits.
The South Garden
Designed as an intimate English-style garden, the South Garden features concentric planting beds brimming with perennials, bulbs, flowering shrubs, and ornamental trees. At one end of a tranquil lily pool stands the Burnett Fountain, a tribute to the author of The Secret Garden—a perfect setting for poetic proposals and thoughtful celebrations.
Visit the Conservatory Garden page to take a video tour, explore its history, and discover its unique features and recent restorations.
Take the Next Step
Ready to let your story unfold in the timeless beauty of the Conservatory Garden? Secure your permit today and make your milestone moment truly unforgettable.
Important Guidelines
Please review our Garden Policies and FAQs before submitting your permit request. For events canceled more than 30 days in advance, refunds will be issued. Cancellations within 30 days are non-refundable.
Contact Us
If you have any further questions about booking a wedding, photoshoot, proposal, or other event in the Conservatory Garden, please contact us at [email protected].