What do you do when you want to keep your New York City wedding easy and nontraditional? Start with a nontraditional venue! For their New York City wedding venue, Christina and Ben opted for a ceremony at Shakespeare Garden in Central Park. The next day they treated guests to a fantastic dinner at Maman in Tribeca. The whole weekend was perfect.

Shakespeare Garden: A Nontraditional New York City Wedding Venue

Central Park is so iconic that it’s a great New York City wedding venue for anyone wanting to celebrate the city. Shakespeare Garden is a unique section of the park. It covers four acres. All the plants – bushes, flowers, and trees – are mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets.

Shakespeare Garden isn’t just a New York City wedding venue for theater kids, though. It’s absolutely beautiful year round. In the 1970s and 1980s, a community group restored this section of the park to include whimsical wooden fences, benches, and bronze plaques. It’s hard to believe that you’re in the middle of Manhattan.

A Sentimental Central Park Wedding Ceremony

Ben and Christina met through a mutual friend in college and began dating once they moved to the New York Metro area. During the pandemic, they moved in together and adopted their pup Heidi. Now they live on the Upper West Side and spend their free time enjoying the parks. Shakespeare Garden was a great New York City wedding venue for them.

I traveled to New York City the night before Chrsitina and Ben’s wedding. This boutique hotel is elegant and modern. Christina’s suite had a patio with an absolutely stunning view. As soon as I saw it, I knew we had to do the first look there!

Christina and Ben’s first look is one of my favorites. (And I’ve photographed my fair share of them!) Christina felt more stressed and nervous than she expected prior to it. I took her to a quiet space so she could cool down. I also reassured her that she’d feel much better once she was with Ben. The moment Ben saw Christina, he was so blown away by her beauty and the moment. An ease settled over everyone, and we took some portraits against this amazing backdrop.

From the hotel, we took cars to Central Park. This New York City wedding venue operates as a “pop up” wedding space. We showed up at our assigned time, performed the ceremony, then left. It was my first time experiencing a venue like this. It worked out perfectly.

Their wedding ceremony was full of sentimental moments. The same friend who introduced Ben to Christina officiated the ceremony. She shared jokes and stories of memories they all shared. Ben and Christina exchanged vows and rings before sealing it with a kiss.

Once the ceremony was over, we met up with their pup Heidi for a photo. Then Christina and Ben headed to dinner with their families.

A Fun Reception at Maman in Tribeca

Christina and Ben opted to have their reception the day after their intimate ceremony in Central Park. That meant finding another New York City wedding venue. They settled on Maman in Tribeca. Maman is a stunning space and so much fun to photograph! It was ideal for a cocktail-style reception.

This reception felt like the best cocktail party you’ve ever been to. The open bar served specialty cocktails. Guests nibbled finger foods. When it came time for loved ones to give toasts, everyone could gather comfortably. Christina’s father and Ben’s younger brother shared especially thoughtful, funny speeches. I loved watching the guests’ reactions.

Because I was able to get to know Christina and Ben’s families the day prior, I could mingle even easier than usual. People felt comfortable faster in front of a camera. In fact, they often forgot it was in my hands. Some of my favorite images from this wedding are candids. 

Christina and Ben ended the reception’s events with a cake cutting. They had two cakes for guests to enjoy. Then we headed to Maman’s front steps for a few nighttime portraits. These flash photos are really fun.

Would you like me to photograph your wedding in New York City? I’m a Buffalo wedding photographer who is ready to travel. I’ll be your Wedding Bestie on the road to the altar. Reach out to me!

Photographer: Kelly Kaz Photography

Getting Ready Venue: ArtHouse Hotel

Ceremony Venue: Shakespeare Garden, Central Park

Reception Venue: Maman Tribeca 

Florist: Urban Stems