What Permits Do You Need for Outdoor Weddings at Venues In Manhattan

Every couple dreams of a destination wedding. However, before you think of your wedding party at an outdoor venue in Manhattan, you need to remember one important thing – the wedding permit. Most couples overlook it until the last moment.

Although it might seem that not remembering the permit may not be a big issue, the fact is that it might stop your wedding ceremony abruptly.

This is all you must know prior to making a reservation for an outdoor wedding in New York City.

When Do You Require a Permit?

Yes, in most cases, a special event permit is necessary. The NYC Department requires a permit if the party has 20 people or more on public property.

If your guest count is below 20, it is possible that you may not need a permit; getting one is actually beneficial to you anyway, as it reserves the chosen space during a certain time frame.

Where to Apply

The NYC Department of Parks and Recreation has control over the applications for permits for the use of parks. You must use their online portal at least 21 days in advance of your event. It is advisable to do it earlier, particularly when you intend to have your event in the popular New York wedding venues.

In case you are intending to organize your ceremony in a street or plaza, you are supposed to apply to CECM, which will issue you a permit. Depending on the kind of location, there will be a difference in the person to be contacted, and therefore, you should know this at the onset of the process.

What It Costs

Permit fees vary based on the location and group sizes. For instance, special event permits in Central Park are the cheapest option in the city. At the same time,  Brooklyn Bridge Park is quite expensive. 

Some of the iconic locations, such as the Conservatory Garden in Central Park, will need a separate reservation process apart from the standard permit fees.

What a Permit Does Not Guarantee

While a permit guarantees your spot, it doesn’t guarantee that it is private. In a crowded city like New York, there is a possibility that there may be people around your spot even after you have obtained your permit. Though with permission, you can request people to move, and it is essential in the real ceremony.

In case privacy is a concern to you, then a rooftop of one of the best NYC wedding venues or a private outdoor place would be a great choice. This offers the exclusivity that may not be assured by a city space with a permit. 

Indoor Or Outdoor

The climatic conditions in New York City are erratic. Also, be sure to have an indoor place in mind in case of bad weather. Most of the venues in Manhattan have an outdoor location where the ceremony is held and an indoor location where the reception is held within the same venue. 

We recommend that couples check with their venue on their rain policy and availability of their indoor space prior to signing a contract. Last-minute arrangements on your special day are much more expensive than working this out in advance.

How Best Venues New York Can Help

At Best Venets New York, we assist couples in locating the ideal venue and arrange everything for the special day.

We also get the venue at no cost to the couple because we are the ones negotiating the contract and taking care of everything else that couples may not even think about until something goes wrong.