The best part about a Battery Gardens Wedding—pedestrians can stop and watch you declare your love!

Dane’s brother showed so much love during his speech.

Dane & Carolyn’s Battery Gardens wedding took place on a warm October afternoon in NYC.

Dane grew up in South Africa and recently came over to the United States, where he met Carolyn, a native New Yorker. Dane’s closest friends and family flew all the way from South Africa. Many of them had never been to the US before!

Dane and Carolyn wanted to take pictures in DUMBO, Brooklyn, in addition to Battery Park. After getting ready at their apartment (which had an amazing view of the Brooklyn Bridge from the roof,) we took the short trip to the bridge. We then headed to the wedding ceremony and reception at the Battery Garden’s Restaurant in the financial district.

 

Battery Gardens Wedding Vendors

Photographer: Tom Schelling Photography
Venue: Battery Gardens Restaurant
Florals: Masters and Co.
Cake: Peter Pan Doughnuts
Bride’s Dress: KittyChen Couture
Groom’s Suit: Bonobos
DJ: Hank Lane Music
Makeup / Hair: Beauty by Leeat
Bride’s Shoes: Adrianna Papell
Invitations: Invitations and Beyond
Rings: Zales Emerald

 

Are you thinking about taking photographs in DUMBO, for your wedding? You might be interested in this article:

5 Tips for Amazing Wedding Photos in DUMBO, Brooklyn

There’s no better way to take Brooklyn Bridge Engagement photos than sunrise—it’s amazing seeing the bridge with nobody on it. No traffic, plenty of parking—it’s totally worth it! (aside for the getting up early part, but hey, Starbucks is open!)

There are a lot of great spots within a short walking distance to take photos in DUMBO, Brooklyn. It’s best to start on the Brooklyn Bridge. As the sun rises, it can be difficult to take photographs with the NYC skyline in the background.

For our session, we started on the bridge and made our way to Pebble Beach and finally to Washington Street, with the iconic view of the Manhattan Bridge in the background. It ended up being a perfect morning!

Capturing engagement photos at the Brooklyn Bridge requires getting up early. It’s worth it for images like this!

Look at that golden glow from the sunrise!

The classic view of the Manhattan Bridge is only a short walk from the Brooklyn Bridge entrance.

Pebble Beach is a great spot to see the downtown NYC skyline!

 

Are you thinking about having your wedding in DUMBO, Brooklyn? You might be interested in this article:

5 Tips for Amazing Wedding Photos in DUMBO, Brooklyn

 

Are you looking for some inspiration for your engagement session? Check out these boards on Pinterest!

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! 

You may also like…

• How to Pick a Wedding Date
• The Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist
• 6 Ways to Make Wedding Planning Less Stressful
• 3 Skills to Look For in a Wedding Photographer
• 5 Reasons to Do a Wedding First Look | Why It’s Worth It
• The Definitive Guide to Taking Amazing Engagement Photos
• How to Plan the Perfect Wedding Day Timeline
• Wedding Planning Advice From a Recent Bride
• 5 Tips for a Beautiful Wedding Ceremony
• The Essential Guide to Incredible Bride Getting Ready Photos
• Do You Really Need a Wedding Album?
• The Complete Guide to Planning Your Wedding Reception

 

Want more wedding inspiration? Check out these boards on Pinterest.