Ladies & Gents,

I know a similar post has been up before, however, I will provide a little more information to get your input specific to my case. I have been with my beautiful g/f for 3 years and plan to propose in July. We both live in Miami but travel to NY at least once a year and have been recently employed so our funds are minimal in comparison to others pursuing a marriage where their parents flip the marriage ceremony bill.

So considering we will not be able to get married in NYC as my angel would love (finances) we are looking local and therefore I have decided to propose in NYC so it will be a part of our engagement. She is a teacher, very simple and old fashioned...to an extent. Also, after the proposal I would like to get a carriage ride to dinner, preferably a Cinderella carriage as we are both overbearing Disney fans. (There will be no Disney proposal). Any Thoughts?! Any restrictions on Saint Patrick's Cathedral?

You could propose on the Staten Island ferry. It's free and the views are incredible. If you change your mind about getting married in the city you can go to city hall on Staten Island. The building's quite nice. You could always schedule your reception back home but have a civil ceremony in NYC first.

You could propose while walking over the Brooklyn Bridge.

I think the carriage rides are tacky and I have questions about the treatment of the horses, so I can't recommend that option. However, you might think about proposing at Bethesda Fountain in Central Park or in the Ladies Pavillion. It would be easy enough to get a carriage ride from Central Park if you decide to go that route. I have no idea what you mean about a Cinderella carriage, all the carriages are open.

Re. St. Patrick's: What kind of restrictions were you concerned with? People are in and out of the cathedral all day. I don't know if the church is closed to the general public during wedding ceremonies. A local can best speak to that.

Congratulations btw!

Agree with a lot of what Bowsprit says. It's actually VERY easy and can be really inexpensive to get married in NYC! Many many foreigners do it regularly. You get a marriage license at any of the county clerk's offices (Staten Island is not very crowded and you can ride the free Staten Island ferry to and from with views of the Statue of Liberty and the NY skyline). Wait 24 hrs. from the time of getting the license and then you can either go back to one of the clerk's offices for a very inexpensive ceremony or hire a private officiant and get married in Central Park or some other space. As long as you don't use the Conservatory Garden in Central Park and don't have more than 20 people, getting married in the park is free! The Ladies Pavillion is a popular spot for wedding ceremonies as it has some shelter in case of rain. Here's a link about the legalities of weddings in NYC http://www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/html/ma...e_bureau.shtml

If you want to stick to the proposal in NYC, one idea might be on the gondola at the Boat House in Central Park. It's not something many people seem to know about. I think they don't start until about 5 pm and they're booked through the Boat House which is a lovely spot for a meal too. bateauxnewyork.com is another idea for either the proposal or a celebratory meal.

I would also suggest you avoid a carriage ride, especially in July. It's just too hot for those horses and the $45 you'll pay for the ride is a waste to money for a 10-15 min. ride.

Not sure what restrictions you're asking about at St. Patrick's.

Many years ago, my father proposed to my mother in the gardens of the Cloisters, in Fort Tryon Park, overlooking the Hudson River. The Cloisters is the medieval branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the setting is stunning.

Please do not do a carriage ride in summer. the carriages are (mostly) tacky and dirty, it's too hot, the horses smell and you can only ride in Central Park on the roads only. The carriages aren;t allowed on other streets except when goping to and fro the stable, so you can;t take one to a restaurant. And have no idea what a Cinderella carriage is.

I don't get the whole proposing in public thing - but there are some pretty places in Central Park (Conservatory Garden) or even up at the Cloisters.

I'm in favor of something very personal. Since you and your gf have been to NYC many times, I'd suggest thinking of a spot that's meaningful to the two of you.

Great Comments. I appreciate the negative comments on the carriage ride and may put that idea on the back burner. Also, just for your info...Here are a couple different versions of a cinderella carriage http://www.valentinefairytalecarriage.com/

I agree that something more personal will be the best for us. Just want to make it perfect and a memorable "ask". Any private tours of NYC landmark ideas, sunset cruises, limo excursion around nyc...?

I saw a Cinderella carriage in Manhattan once—a bride and groom arrived at the Conservatory Gardens in such a carriage to have pose for photographs. It was August and they were sweating profusely because they were riding through sun-baked city streets in a giant plastic bubble. If you want a NY proposal, then it may be better to stick to a NY conveyance.

What places in NY mean something special to YOU? . . . places you have visited and loved on previous trips? The Brooklyn Bridge and Staten Island Ferry are very "New York," offer dramatic views, and are much cheaper than limos and carriages considering your concern for budget. Mclaurie's suggestions for Central PArk wedding locations would also be good for proposals.

I agree with the negative comments on the Central Park carriage ride. It's hot and stinky...not what I would call romatic at all!

If you plan to visit some sites, don't miss Ellis Island. The ferry leaves from Battery Park and you will get a great view of the Statue of Liberty. Be sure to get the audio headphones for tour. This is probably the highlight not to miss.

How about one of thehidden parks like Tudor City Park
http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/09/28...28Weekend.html

Or

The Bethesda Fountain in Central Park or the Boathouse

Or

The Trustee's dining room at the Met Museum. It is nice and has expansive views of Central Park. You'd have to be a member in order to dine there.

Or like others have suggested a place that means something to the both of you.


If you want to go for over the top-there are helicopter tours of NYC.

If you go to the Boathouse it'll be best to go during the day for the fabulous view of the pond. It's a crowded, noisy place, but it has become a sort of replacement for the mercifully defunct Tavern on the Green. It doesn't sound like I like the Boathouse, does it? Actually, I love the restaurant; it's a great place for drinks and meals.