· Angelito Jusay

A Central Park Wedding at the Essex House in New York City

Few wedding venues in New York have a front yard like the JW Marriott Essex House. The hotel sits on Central Park South, so on a mild September day this couple could step out the front door and straight into the park for their first look, then come back for a ceremony and reception in its gilded ballroom.

JW Marriott Essex House sign on Central Park South

The morning started in the hotel suites, with a few details by the window: the ring tucked between her satin heels and sandals hung from the mantel.

Engagement ring resting between the bride's satin heels, in black and white
Satin bridal sandals hanging from a carved fireplace mantel

Getting ready at the Essex House

The bride got ready with her family and closest friends, laughing through hair and makeup before her gown was buttoned up.

Bride laughing in her robe while getting ready at the Essex House
Buttoning the lace back of the wedding gown
Bride in her lace gown holding her bouquet in the Essex House suiteBride smiling over her shoulder with her bouquet of white roses

Down the hall, the groom finished dressing before heading across the street.

Groom in his tuxedo by the window in soft side light

A first look in Central Park

The groom waited on the Mall, under the elms of the Literary Walk, while the bride walked up behind him.

Groom waiting for the first look on the Mall in Central Park
Bride walking up behind the groom for their first look in Central Park

They traded letters, read them on the spot and finished with a long hug.

Bride and groom hugging after reading letters on the Literary Walk
Groom wrapping his arms around the bride on the Mall in Central Park

Portraits around the park

Then we wandered. A Sunday crowd strolled the Mall around them, which only made the photos feel more like New York.

Bride and groom holding hands as crowds stroll the Mall in Central Park
Newlyweds walking hand in hand on the Mall under the elms

At Bethesda Fountain and down by the Lake, the two of them couldn't stop laughing.

Bride and groom forehead to forehead at Bethesda Fountain
Bride and groom laughing by the Lake in Central Park

Central Park South

On the way back to the hotel we stopped by the horse carriages lined up along the park, then caught the couple crossing Central Park South between the yellow cabs, right in front of the Essex House.

Bride and groom beside a horse carriage on the edge of Central Park
Bride and groom crossing Central Park South with yellow taxis behind them
Bride and groom kissing under the Essex House entrance

The ketubah and the ceremony

Before the ceremony, family gathered for the ketubah signing. The rabbi read the marriage contract aloud, the mothers broke a plate together for good luck, and everyone cheered as the colorful ketubah was held up for all to see.

The ceremony took place in the hotel's ballroom, under crystal chandeliers and a painted sky ceiling, with a simple white chuppah at the front of the room.

Groom walking down the aisle with his parents in the Essex House ballroom
Bride walking down the aisle with her parents under crystal chandeliers
Bride and groom smiling under the chuppah

After the vows and the breaking of the glass, the room erupted, and the newlyweds celebrated their way back down the aisle.

Newlyweds walking back down the aisle as guests cheer

A reception to remember

After cocktail hour, the ballroom doors opened and the newlyweds danced in to a roaring welcome from their family and friends.

Bride and groom dancing into the ballroom for their grand entrance
Bride and groom laughing together on the dance floor

The dancing started right away, and during the hora even the parents were lifted high above the crowd.

One of the mothers lifted on a chair during the hora

Then came a surprise: samba dancers in feathered headdresses swept onto the dance floor, and the party carried on late into the night.

Samba dancers in feathered headdresses performing in the ballroom

More from the day

Groom framed in a doorway as he gets dressed Groom adjusting his bow tie by the window Bouquet of blush and ivory roses in the window Bride fastening her sandals in an armchair Bride in her lace gown looking back over her shoulder Bride and groom reaching for each other on the Mall in Central Park Bride and groom walking across Bethesda Terrace Bride and groom leaning together by the Lake in Central Park Bride and groom in a crosswalk with yellow taxis on Central Park South Bride and groom sitting on a park bench in Central Park Bride and groom framed by the arches of Bethesda Terrace Bride and groom kissing on the stairs at Bethesda Terrace Groom leading the bride up the steps of Bethesda Terrace Bride and groom on Central Park South with Columbus Circle behind them Gold J&M letters on the escort card table Flower girl walking down the aisle Bride and groom under the chuppah in the ballroom Bride and groom embracing after the ceremony, in black and white Bride and friends posing with a gold frame and signs during cocktail hour Conga player performing during cocktail hour Gold-framed table number and white roses on a reception table Four-tier white wedding cake with roses Groom resting his head against the bride on the dance floor Groom laughing with his arm around the bride during the hora Bride dancing hand in hand with a friend Young guests dancing on the dance floor Groom hugging a guest after her toast Bride dancing with a family member Band singer performing for the dance floor Guests crouching low on the dance floor

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