Best Ideas For Capturing Iconic New York City Wedding Photos

There are countless reasons that make New York City the best place in the world to get married. Topping the list are the endless locations and unique opportunities for taking wedding photos. Ultimately, you want to be able to look at your album years from now and relive all the love and emotion that you felt that day. For couples getting married in the Big Apple, this often means having photos that are personal and unique, but also showcase the architecture, culture, history and energy that makes NYC so special. From celebrated landmarks and famous restaurants to made-for-the-movies first looks and romantic secret gems, we went through the Bride & Blossom archives to round up the best ideas for capturing iconic New York City wedding photos.

Things to keep in mind as your wedding date draws near: Keeping an open communication with your wedding photographer is crucial – they should be able to help you decide on locations. During your conversations, you’ll want to consider where your wedding venue is and the season in which your nuptials are taking place. Also be sure to have a contingency plan with alternative spots in the case of bad weather.

Bethesda Arches at Central Park
It’s no secret that Central Park is a treasure trove of breathtaking vistas that are guaranteed to make your wedding photos picture-perfect. Located in the center of the park is the Bethesda Arcade, commonly referred to as the Bethesda Arches with architectural remnants that date back to the early Dutch settlement period. Many of our Real BB Weddings couples have chosen to incorporate this stunning setting, which seems to transcend place and time, into their photo session.

The Brooklyn Bridge
Completed in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge stands as a marvel of civil engineering whose iconic arches have inspired great artists such as Georgia O’Keefe, Alfred Stieglitz, and Joseph Stella. In wedding and engagement photos, the structure’s magnificent form changes, but never wavers, depending on where you are in relation to it. We love this candid wedding party portrait from Emily and Felix’s big day, which was taken in Dumbo along the East River with the monumental Brooklyn Bridge rising up in the background.

First Look at Grand Central
Featuring soaring arches and windows, classical ornamentation, and a domed ceiling decorated with a celestial map, Grand Central radiates majestic beauty at every turn. This photo of Real BB Weddings couple Laura and Charlie was taken inside the famous train station on an extremely hot and humid day in July. “Our photographer, Nella, from Christian Oth Studio was amazing. She had scouted potential locations to do our first look, ultimately deciding that we should do it at Grand Central because of the heat,” Laura recalls. “Turning the corner and seeing Charlie’s back as I walked down the long pathway to meet him… the feeling was incredible.”

The New York Public Library
Located in the heart of Manhattan, the New York Public Library has been featured in our all-time favorite movies and TV shows such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Ghostbusters, The Thomas Crown Affair, Sex and the City, and Gossip Girl. The building’s cinematic prestige makes it an ideal location to incorporate into your wedding photo session with many couples using the dramatic entrance steps and domed archway as a portrait backdrop.

A Legendary Restaurant (Kat’s Deli)
Real BB Wedding Couple Elana and Greg were married at Angel Orensanz Foundation in the Lower East Side, a symbolic landmark of Jewish history and Culture in New York City. Elana explains. “As an ode to the immigrant generations of our family before us, we only found it befitting to have our wedding in a venue, and in a neighborhood, that represents the cradle of the American Jewish experience.” Occupying a main chapter of this history is the legendary Katz’s Deli – the couple snapped a chic black and white portrait outside of the restaurant with its famous neon sign in the background.

Arrive in Wedding Style with a Vintage New York City Taxi
Through the years, we’ve seen couples use a vintage New York City taxi not only as their escort car, but also as a special prop in wedding photos (check out the Old-Hollywood vibes in the first image of the blog post). This was the case for Claire and James who married in a Great Gatsby inspired celebration at Capitale. “Long before he proposed, James would always talk about arriving to our wedding in a vintage taxi,” Claire says. Susan Shek, their photographer suggested they check with NY Film Cars. Claire remembers, “Peter Yannello, our driver, actually used his own personal car. Turns out, the rest of the fleet was in South Carolina for a classic car show.” So moved by the groom’s family story (James’ Great-Great Grandfather set up a taxi garage in Queens), Peter immediately responded to their request saying, “I’m honored to have this invitation to be part of your celebration, knowing that the fabled taxicab will bring an enormous amount of charm and distinction to the day, not to mention its place in family legacy.”

A Cute Wedding Portrait in Front an Ice Cream Truck
Once the thermometer hits 65° in New York City, you’re sure to find an ice cream truck parked on every other corner. Mix up those formal portraits with a cute, playful snapshot in front of this symbol of your sweetest childhood memories.

A Fun Wedding Portrait in Front of an NYC Hot Dog Cart
New York City and street hot-dogs go hand-in-hand. Show your love for the Big Apple culinary staple by stopping for a quick pic (and pre-dinner snack!) at a hot dog cart on the way to the reception.

A Wedding Portrait in Front of a Street Art Mural
As one of the world’s cultural epicenters, New York City offers the chance to experience art in museums, galleries, and even on its streets. Full of vibrant color and imagery, graffiti and street art murals, which blanket walls throughout neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx, double as an artistic backdrop for wedding portraits. Real BB Wedding Couple Ashley and Tiffany jumped at the chance to take a few stylish shots in front of street art during their wedding at The Green Building in Brooklyn.

Wedding Pictures on the Cobblestone Streets of Tribeca
As one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in NYC, Tribeca is home to many A-list celebrities, top-tier restaurants and bars, and posh event venues such as Tribeca Rooftop + Tribeca 360°. And nestled deep in its concrete corridors is a series of rustic cobblestone streets, which offer a charming setting for wedding photos all year round.

Love Lane: A Romantic Stroll Down a Quiet Brooklyn Street
New York City isn’t short of idyllic spots for couples to be photographed taking a romantic stroll. A hidden gem tucked away in Brooklyn Heights, Love Lane’s amorous allure dates back to when the one-block street was a shaded path where Dutch maidens would walk with their sweethearts down to the river during summer. Today, Love Lane is a quaint location where couples can capture a touching ‘kiss’ shot on their wedding day.

Candid Shot of the Bridal Party Walking Through the Streets of NYC
Some of the most authentic photos of the bridal party that we have seen show the gorgeous group walking, talking, and having fun while parading the streets of New York City. These moments, when a bride and her best friends are at ease and totally present, reveal an unbreakable bond that goes back to childhood in some cases and will continue for years to come.

An Intimate Wedding Portrait with a New York City Skyline View
This list of iconic wedding photo ideas wouldn’t be complete without the mention of the New York City skyline. Nothing says “We were married in the greatest city in the world” like an intimate portrait with the metropolis shining like diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds in the distance. Venues such as Tribeca Rooftop + Tribeca 360° offer spectacular views of Downtown Manhattan while The Liberty Warehouse showcases Lady Liberty in all her glory.

We may be biased in making this statement, but there is no better place to say “I Do” than New York City. When it comes to wedding photos, it offers a full package that includes sprawling green parks, panoramic city views, and world-renowned architecture and monuments alongside enchanted tree-lined streets and cozy neighborhood corners. In sum, NYC has everything you could ever need for capturing mementos, iconic and intimate, that delight the eye and flirt with the heart.