An Intimate Wedding at Cop Cot in New York’s Central Park | NYC Elopement Photographer

Amber and Mike decided to elope in NYC before it was cool—e.g., before 2020 hit and COVID-19 even existed. They’d originally planned a larger wedding, but realized they preferred an intimate wedding in Central Park. Since I love photographing smaller weddings, I was happy to be their NYC elopement photographer on this warm summer day.

What I WASN’T prepared for was Amber’s Pnina Tornai wedding gown from Kleinfield’s! She showed up, minutes before their ceremony, and garnered tons of stares while walking in Manhattan—on a Tuesday afternoon—in her luscious gown. Yup, they had a Tuesday elopement in NYC. Why not?

As a NYC elopement photographer, I’m used to photographing couples any day of the week. But most couples aren’t so chill and jokester as these two were! I actually think Amber was even more relaxed than Mike, and she continued mugging for the camera throughout the entire day. Seriously—they were a riot (and I still hear from them over on Instagram!).

Amber and Mike’s family helped put everything together: Amber’s aunt did the florals and decorated the large wooden gazebo. Normally photographers detest photographing in gazebos since they’re small, the light is different all over, and you can’t get different angles in such a tiny space. But Cop Cot is awesome for any intimate wedding (and equally fun for a photographer, since it’s perfect for 10-15 guests).

When capturing proposals, engagement, multi-day weddings, or elopement, I really enjoy hearing about my couples. I want to know how they met, what made them decide this is the one, what they love doing together, etc. That doesn’t mean I ask all the time, but I’m always keen on hearing so that I can work more of my clients’ personalities into my photos. As a NYC elopement photographer, I don’t always get to SEE that story unfold, but with these two I did!

Amber and Mike recreated their first date for their wedding photos: Where they first saw each other at the apartment complex, where they first walked, and where they went on their first date (Blockheads Mexican food on the Upper East Side). It was super-casual but also quite lovely. I got a few urban street-style shots to remember the day by.

Having an intimate wedding or elopement in New York City can mean getting to experience parts of the city you’ve always wanted to see, or experiencing them in a whole new way—in your wedding attire. It’s an awesome place to elope. Get married at NYC City Hall (the process isn’t so bad, really!), hire an awesome NYC elopement photographer to capture you all around “town,” and enjoy your memories from one of the most exciting places in the whole world.

You can go big with a huge ceremony on a rooftop in Manhattan such as 620 Loft & Garden, say your vows with incredible views on the Brooklyn Promenade, or enjoy a small, peaceful elopement in Central Park like Amber and Mike did. Whatever you do, make it about you two, and enjoy!

Kathryn Cooper Weddings | New York Elopement Photographer | Intimate Wedding Photographer in NYC