Central Park - Shakespeare Garden
New York, NY
| Venue type | Park & Pavilion |
| Location | New York, NY |
| Published price | $25 |
| Capacity | Up to 25 guests |
| Setting | Outdoor |
| Event type | Ceremony only |
What the venue publishes
NYC Parks Special Events permit: "There is a $25 non-refundable application fee, payable by credit or debit card via the online application." The NYC Parks special events FAQ states the same figure citywide: "All special events permits require a $25.00 nonrefundable administrative processing fee."
The source publishes $25 as the fee for this space, not a starting point.
A Special Events permit is required if 20 or more people will attend, and NYC Parks takes at least 21 to 30 days to process it (applications inside the 21-day window are not accepted). The fee is not refundable and cannot be waived. A permit does not cordon off the area or guarantee exclusive use. Central Park restrictions: no set-up at all (no tents, tables or chairs; a chuppah may be hand-carried in and out with prior permission), no amplified sound (acoustic music is allowed), no vehicle or pedicab drop-off, no alcohol, no flowers, balloons or decorations, no banners or signs affixed to park property or trees and no staking into the ground, the public must always have access, and cleanup is required. Apply to the Manhattan Borough permit office.
Published on nycgovparks.org, checked August 2026. Fee schedules change, so confirm before booking.
Where this price sits in New York City
$25 is the 2nd lowest published starting price of the 32 venues listed in the New York City metro. The metro median starting price is $125, and 20 of the 32 listings publish a higher starting price than this one.
Among the 18 park & pavilion listings in the metro it ranks 1st lowest, against a median of $125 for that type.
What the capacity costs per guest
The source publishes a capacity of 25 guests. At $25, filling the space works out to $1.00 per guest for the site fee alone, before the license, an officiant, food, or rentals. The median published capacity across the 28 New York City listings that publish one is 55 guests, so this space is smaller than the metro median.
Cheaper published prices in New York City metro
This listing in New York City metro publishes a starting price below $25.
| Venue | Published price | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Warinanco Sports Center - Union County Surrogate's Court CeremoniesRoselle, NJ · Courthouse & City Hall | Free | not published |
Other park & pavilion listings in New York City
Same venue type, prices closest to this one.
| Venue | Published price | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Central Park - Cop CotNew York, NY · Park & Pavilion | $25 | 50 guests |
| Central Park - Ladies PavilionNew York, NY · Park & Pavilion | $25 | 25 guests |
| Central Park - Wagner CoveNew York, NY · Park & Pavilion | $25 | 25 guests |
Marriage license in New York County, NY
The venue fee above does not include the license. New York sits in New York County, NY, and these are the terms that county publishes. Checked September 2026.
| Issuing office | New York City Office of the City Clerk, Marriage BureauOffice of the City Clerk, Marriage Bureau, 141 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013 |
| License fee | $35$35.00 (thirty-five dollar) marriage license fee, submitted through the Project Cupid portal at nyc.gov/cupid |
| Waiting period | 1 day |
| License valid for | 60 days |
| Who must appear | Both parties, in person |
| ID required | valid government issued photo identification for each applicant, uploaded and identity verified through Project Cupid |
| Appointment | Required |
| Apply online | Application available online |
| Same-day issue | Issued the same visit |
| Ceremony at the office | OfferedThe Marriage Bureau solemnizes ceremonies by scheduled appointment and you must already hold a valid New York State marriage license. The ceremony fee is not published by the City Clerk. Virtual ceremonies ended June 25, 2021 and all ceremonies by private officiants must now be in person. |
Source: cityclerk.nyc.gov, cityclerk.nyc.gov, cityclerk.nyc.gov, nysenate.gov
The New York City Clerk issues marriage licenses for all five boroughs on one fee and one process. No walk-in visits are permitted; both applicants must be physically together for the appointment, including for a virtual appointment, and both must be located in New York State.
How the metro prices out
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Other spaces at Central Park
Central Park rents 6 spaces for weddings and each is priced separately, so booking this one does not get you the others. Compare all 6 side by side.