By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway
I have one bit of advice for anyone getting married in Central Park in the summer months. Get a permit if your are thinking of tying the knot in the Shakespeare Garden!
I offciated the wedding of the lovely Gillian Waddell, a biomedical scientist, and Derek Sword, a systems officer, from Dundee Scotland there last Friday, June 22. They flew in for a small and romantic ceremony in New York's glorious Central Park. We'd planned it for months but since it is not required to have a permit for groups less than 20 we didn't think we would need one. When we arrived we discovered an entire camera crew doing a photo shoot right at the Sundial where the couple wanted to have the ceremony -- and they had a permit to use the area!
The Sundial is in a lovely little cove in the center of the spectacular Shakespeare Garden, which is located the equivalent of a two block walk in from Central Park West, at 79th Street.
The whole garden is so well kept, that many people love to get married there, as well as have special events. On a Friday in the summer, it is also brimming with school children and tourists who love to walk up the floral path and investigate the little nooks and crannies.
Not surprisingly, it is a favorite locale of many couples who come here to marry from England, Ireland and Scotland. On Gillian and Derek's wedding day, Not only was there a fashion shoot going on, there were 80 people on treasure hunt, and one of their spots was the Sundial. They kept arriving in groups of four to investigate it.
But love was in the air so everyone in the Garden cooperated long enough for me to officate the wedding and for photographer Ben Asen to get the shots. The fashion photographer, his crew and models stopped work to witness the wedding! In fact, everyone stopped to witness.
Gillian walked from the bottom of the Garden, escorted by her Mum and made her way to her awaiting groom, who had not set eyes on her in the dress until that moment. She wore a lovely strapless pink gown and carried two large horseshoes with her bouquet for good luck; a wispy feathery hair piece was in her hair. Derek wore a traditional kilt.
The wedding was attended by Gillian's Mum and Auntie, as well as two friends of the couple with their two children. There was to be some bagpipe playing, but the plan changed.
We brought in some beautiful Celtic elements, such as a Celtic Loving Cup Ceremony, Celtic hand blessing and a Celtic Prayer to end the ceremony. As for the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Sword, they ended the ceremony by partaking in a time-honored tradition. They shared a hot dog from a nearby hot dog vendor!
More Information: Many couples from the UK come to be married in Central Park each year. It's such a beautiful location. For groups under 20, there is no need to attain a permit, but it helps to get one because is someone else has a permit for that area at the time of your wedding, technically, you can't use the same spot they have reserved.
Permits are only $25 to reserve an hour anywhere in the park, except for the amazing Central Park Conservatory Gardens, where permits cost $400 and hour. Photos by Ben Asen.
© 2007, Reverend Laurie Sue Brockway
Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway is a leading interfaith and non-denominational wedding officiant. She creates unique ceremonies for couples of all backgrounds and faiths, and is also widely recognized as a relationship coach, bridal stress expert and columnist. She is author of WEDDING GODDESS: A Divine Guide to Transforming Wedding Stress into Wedding Bliss. To help reduce wedding stress, get your personally autographed copy at www.WeddingGoddess.com.
