There are lots of incredible spots to take your wedding photos in DUMBO, Brooklyn.
If you’re not careful, however, what should have been a dream photo-session could end up being overcrowded and filled with stress.
Here are tips to ensure you get the most out of the time you spend taking pictures around the famous Brooklyn Bridge.
DUMBO offers amazing backdrops for your wedding photographs. This one of Dane & Carolyn was taken at Plymouth Street.
Before Your Wedding: Have a Game Plan
There’s plenty of amazing locations in DUMBO—Pebble Beach, the Brooklyn Bridge Park, or even the Brooklyn Bridge itself to name a few.
Though these locations are relatively close, you wouldn’t want to walk back and forth between them in your high heels and wedding dress!
Figure out what spots resonate with your vision and then create a map of where you will go to take pictures. Make sure those locations are within a short walking distance.
This will ensure there are no surprises, and that you can get the best photographs possible.
This image of Arleny & Daniel was taken at Pebble Beach.
Plan Lots of Extra Time for Traffic
If you live in New York, you probably know New York City is congested—sometimes even driving a short length of two to three miles could take close to an hour!
If you’re planning on having a limo or bus drive you to DUMBO for photographs, I recommend at least tripling the amount it takes to get there each way.
In addition to the usual New York City traffic, large vehicles may not be able to travel on some of the usual roads, which can add a significant amount of travel time.
Padding the timeline will ensure you don’t feel stressed on your wedding day if things start to fall behind.
You don’t want to arrive in DUMBO late because of traffic and only have 15 minutes to take pictures!
Wedding Photos in DUMBO Brooklyn Limo & Bus Parking
The intersection of Main Street and Plymouth Street (right next to West Elm) is where your limo driver will likely default to when dropping you off.
Though there is limo parking in this area, it can get filled quickly, especially on Saturdays. Plan for your driver to leave and return to pick you up just incase.
If you’re not sure where you’d want to take pictures, this particular drop off location is a great choice. It gives you easy access to both Pebble Beach and the iconic view of the Brooklyn Bridge from Plymouth Street (see the two above photos for examples of what those locations can look like), as well as a few other photogenic locations.
The view of the Manhattan Bridge from Washington Street is a short walk from the limo drop off point. However, photographs like this one will be impossible on weekend days (this photograph of Erin & Dave was taken at Sunrise). This street is always congested with people after 7AM.
Other Locations for Wedding Photos in DUMBO, Brooklyn
Are you looking for more intimate views of the NYC skyline as your backdrop? If that’s the case, plan instead to be dropped off at Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park.
From there it’s a short walk to the dock with beautiful waterfront views of the NYC skyline.
Backdrops like this are available from the Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 1 drop off location.
Accessing the Brooklyn Bridge
If you’re looking for access to the Brooklyn Bridge, the pedestrian entrance is at the intersection of Prospect Street and Washington Street.
Because the walkway is a small space, only you and your fiancé would be able to take photographs there.
Also keep in mind the bridge will be too busy for photographs any time after about 7AM.
The Best way to Avoid Crowds
Especially during the warmer months, DUMBO sees traffic from all over the five boroughs as well as Long Island.
Trying to cozy up and create a romantic atmosphere between you and your fiancé while hundreds of bystanders look on can be daunting, not to mention it’s almost impossible to get intimate photographs without bystanders in the picture.
As stated above, parking can be difficult on weekends and unless you live in Manhattan or Brooklyn, it can be very time consuming to get to the area by public transportation.
If you’re having your wedding on a Saturday or Sunday but don’t want to deal with the weekend crowds in DUMBO, consider booking a post-wedding session instead.
This allows you to take advantage of the gorgeous New York views in your wedding attire without any wedding day time pressure and weekend bystanders.
If you do decide to do a post-wedding session, you’ll have the added benefit of a few additional ways to get the best photographs possible.
Arleny & Daniel casually walking on the sidewalk of Plymouth Street.
Starting at Sunrise
I know it can be difficult to wake up early, (especially in the warmer months, where the sun rises at 5:30 AM) but there are a ton of advantages, especially in congested locations such as DUMBO.
For one, you will have the Brooklyn Bridge all to yourself.
This alone is worth drinking two cups of coffee (or more) to be wide awake at sunrise. In fact, it is pretty much the only time possible to get photographs on the Brooklyn Bridge without other people on it.
You’ll also have the bonus of beautiful light—the Brooklyn Bridge is one of my favorite spots to watch the sun rise in New York City!
This photograph of Dave & Erin was taken minutes after this sun rose in the sky, around 6:00AM. You’ll never see the bridge this empty at any other time!
Alone in DUMBO
Additionally, less people around you equals less nerves!
DUMBO is one of the most congested locations in NYC during the day. Tourists from all over the world come to see the iconic landmarks and the downtown views of the NYC skyline.
An early morning session ensures that you get the area all to yourself. With less people around, it will be easier to feel relaxed, which will make you look more relaxed in your images.
Without the congestion and time pressure, you’ll be able to walk around and take pictures at a variety of different locations.
Dane & Carolyn’s bridal party walking the path to Pebble Beach.
Final Thoughts
I hope that helps you in your journey to take amazing wedding pictures in DUMBO, Brooklyn! It is easily one of my favorite locations in NYC.
To get the most out of your session, though, you’ll want to make sure to plan accordingly!
P.S. Here are more free tips and resources on all things wedding planning, from whether to have a first look to how to create the perfect wedding timeline for you and more!
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- Wedding Planning Advice From a Recent Bride
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