How to Get Married on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade (2025 Guide)
If your ideal wedding involves skyline views, historic charm, and the feeling that you’re standing on the edge of the world (in a good way), there’s no better place than the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.
This iconic strip of park perched above the East River is one of our most requested Cakewalk wedding locations — and for good reason. It's free, beautiful, and doesn’t require a permit if you keep it simple. Here's exactly how to pull off a tiny wedding or elopement on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade in 2025.
📍 What Is the Promenade, Exactly?
The Brooklyn Heights Promenade is a public walkway that runs three blocks along the edge of Brooklyn Heights, with stunning views of Lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the harbor. It’s lined with benches, trees, and flower beds — and it’s one of the most romantic spots in the city.
You’ll see locals walking dogs, tourists snapping photos, and couples sneaking kisses on benches. It’s a New York postcard — in real life.
💍 Why It’s Perfect for a Wedding
The view. There's nothing like it. You can see the Statue of Liberty, the Freedom Tower, and the entire Manhattan skyline from one standing point.
The convenience. No permit required for small gatherings without setup.
The charm. Cobblestone streets, brownstones, and peaceful surroundings give it a classic New York feel — without the chaos.
Cakewalk couples love it because it feels intimate but open — like your own little stage in the city.
👣 How to Pull It Off
1. Pick your spot
We love the stretch between Remsen and Clark Streets. It’s central, a little quieter, and has fewer pedestrians walking through during off-peak hours.
2. Keep it small
Groups of 15 or fewer are ideal. Without chairs or décor, you’re less likely to attract attention — and you don’t need a permit.
3. Choose your time wisely
Mornings are peaceful and private. Golden hour offers incredible light. Avoid weekends if you can — they’re more crowded and have more foot traffic.
📝 What About Permits?
Good news: you likely don’t need one. NYC Parks typically allows small, informal gatherings in public spaces without a permit as long as:
You’re not bringing in chairs, arches, or sound equipment
You’re not blocking the path or disrupting foot traffic
Your group is under 20 people
That said, if you want a more structured setup or have a larger group, we can help assess whether applying for a permit makes sense.
📸 Where to Take Photos Nearby
This location gives you so many great options before and after your ceremony:
Montague Street brownstones — quiet, historic, and classically Brooklyn
Brooklyn Bridge Park (just down the hill) — piers, trees, skyline, water
DUMBO — cobblestone streets, the Manhattan Bridge view, pizza stops
The Promenade itself — standing under cherry blossoms, on benches, or against the railing with the city behind you
🥂 After the Ceremony
Some of our favorite post-ceremony ideas:
Picnic in the park with bagels, cake, and coffee
Dinner nearby at places like Vineapple, Colonie, or Celestine
Photo adventure through DUMBO, the waterfront, or the Brooklyn Bridge
Back home to celebrate on your own terms — with pizza, pajamas, or champagne
Cakewalk Knows the Promenade
We’ve led dozens of weddings here, and we know the rhythm of the place — when to go, where to stand, what to avoid, and how to keep it simple and sacred. If you’re thinking about eloping on the Promenade in 2025, we’ll make sure it feels like it was built just for you.
Let’s plan your Brooklyn wedding → Start here.