A little about the the NY Local Series… As so many of my couples are eloping from out of town, I often find myself fielding all sorts of questions from how to elope in NYC, what are the best neighborhoods for photos or what to do if it rains. After 7 years in the city, I’m using this series to share all my local NYC knowledge along with other helpful tips for clients getting married in New York.
(I also have updated an FAQ page, for any other questions you might have! In case you missed it, previous posts in this series can be found here.)
Where is the Best Place to Take Wedding Photos with the NYC Skyline?
One of the most common photo requests I get is for views of the New York City skyline. Where can you get the best views of NYC? I’ve put together a list of a few of the best spots for you to answer that very question.
Things to keep in mind:
Most all of these spots are outside Manhattan. It might be obvious, but to get the best view of the skyline, you have to step outside of it.
Some of these spots are more touristy then others, however all are quite popular at sunset for obvious reasons: that view! If you’re wary of a crowd, sunrise might be your best bet. Some, like Governors Island are constrained by ferry schedules or the time of year. I’ve tried to note these concerns below.
All of these places would be perfect for a private elopement, a surprise proposal or for portraits. If you’re thinking about having a larger wedding, it’s always best to check with the guidelines for each spot first. I’m happy to point you in the right direction.
Brooklyn:
This is probably one of the most popular places for photos in the city, and with good reason. The views of the downtown Manhattan are stunning. It has a good mix of green space and urban views, so it’s a great compromise if you can’t decide quite which you prefer. You can take in Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges right next to the river along with Jane’s Carousel, which is always fun for photos. There are often public art installations in the park, which are also great to take advantage of. Additionally, Brooklyn Bridge Park offers the opportunity to explore DUMBO for a more industrial/street art funky vibe, the quaint cobbled streets of Vinegar Hill, or the classic brownstones of Brooklyn Heights if you’d like something a bit more neighborhood-y. This area is beautiful at both sunrise and sunset, but be forewarned, at sunset it’s very popular and there will likely be crowds, especially on a weekend.
This is a small waterfront park in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn. I love this area for shooting, especially if you’re looking for something a bit more industrial. There are loads of street art murals and cool warehouses, along with a few cobbled streets. The views here are gorgeous at sunset and it’s not nearly as crowded as Brooklyn Bridge Park. There are some high grasses and rocks along with a huge pier out into the east river that affords brilliant views of midtown.
Grand Ferry Park/Bushwick Inlet Park:
These are two waterfront areas in Williamsburg, both offering great views. Grand Ferry Park is pretty little, but has views of the Williamsburg Bridge as well as the skyline. Bushwick Inlet Park and the area surrounding it has some awesome views of midtown as well as some green space. It even has an area with a sandy beach, which though I wouldn’t advise swimming, is fun for a photo stroll. Both of these parks make for an easy walk around Williamsburg, a fun artsy area of Brooklyn. Street art and cool shops abound.
Queens:
I LOVE Gantry! This park has amazing views of the skyline and Queensboro bridge. There are long piers, wooden reclined benches, old street car tracks, the huge Pepsi Cola sign, and some great green space as well. It’s brilliant at sunset. We can also explore further into Long Island City for some cool industrial city street backdrops.
Manhattan and Surrounding Areas:
Central Park:
There are a couple places where you can see the skyline in Central Park. One of my favorite places to take people in Central Park is Cat Rock. It’s an outcropping just above Wollman Rink that offers amazing views of the Central Park South skyline. It’s often crowded towards sunset, but you can still get great shots at virtually anytime of day.
I have yet to do a ceremony here, but I think it’d be so awesome. The views of downtown from Governors are gorgeous. It’s such a fun place to explore for photos in general. It’s also perfect for a fun engagement session, think hammocks, huge picnic grounds, art exhibits, and old homesteads. Governors Island is only open summer through early fall, so keep that in mind. The ferry picks up from either Brooklyn or downtown Manhattan.
You can’t get a much more epic view of Manhattan then from Top of the Rock. You get a sweeping vistas of midtown and on the other side you can see Central Park stretch out for miles. Come as early as possible to avoid the crowds!
I’ve done two ceremonies on the ferry and both have been a resounding success. The ferry crew has always been delighted to have a wedding on board. It’s such a unique venue and the views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, along with the Verazanno bridge are spectacular. Plus, you’re on a boat! You will likely have onlookers no matter the time of day, be sure to keep rush hour times in mind as these will be the most crowded as this is a commuter ferry.
Roosevelt Island:
I love taking the tram across to Roosevelt Island! It’s a fun adventure and offers great views of the midtown skyline as well as Long Island City. They have gotten stricter recently about wedding photos down in Four Freedoms Park, however there are still plenty of spots on the island for photo taking.
Off the beaten path? Yes. Striking views of the Triboro and Hell’s Gate bridges along with the Upper East Side Manhattan skylines and wildflowers? Also yes. I haven’t convinced anyone to make the trek over here yet, but I think it could be a really unique spot for an elopement or engagement session, with great views right on the river. If you’re up for it, let me know!
Outside the City…
This post would be lacking if I didn’t mention our neighbor across the Hudson. If you’re willing to jump states, the views from Jersey City and Hoboken are also fantastic! If you’re doing your ceremony here, be sure to check that your officiant is also licensed in New Jersey.
