A Beautiful Small Wedding in Battery Park

Photographer: Dilmurad

Some weddings feel wonderfully intimate from the moment they begin, and this elevated elopement in Lower Manhattan was the perfect example. The couple chose our small event package for four hours of coverage with one photographer, an ideal match for couples planning a refined elopement or small wedding in New York. Their day brought together meaningful locations, city energy, and timeless moments, all unfolding within the serene pockets of Battery Park and the surrounding neighborhood.

What made this day feel especially special was the simplicity of the timeline. Small weddings and elopements often create space for a more relaxed experience, allowing the couple to be fully present without the usual pace of a full wedding day. This celebration captured everything that couples love about a New York elopement: iconic backdrops, a heartfelt ceremony, a focus on connection, and a dinner that felt like a celebration shared with the people who matter most.

First Look at the Irish Hunger Memorial

The day began at the Irish Hunger Memorial, a striking and meaningful location tucked into the edge of Battery Park City. This spot offers texture, greenery, architectural lines, and open sky all at once, making it a beautiful choice for elopement photography in New York. The couple chose this location for their first look, and it couldn’t have been more perfect for an emotional, quiet moment between just the two of them.

As soon as they saw each other, the city seemed to soften around them. With fewer crowds than many other downtown locations and natural surfaces that feel almost transported from another landscape, the Irish Hunger Memorial created the ideal setting for portraits. Small weddings and intimate elopements often benefit from locations that feel secluded within the city, and this area gives couples the sense of stepping into their own world while still being surrounded by New York’s energy.

After the first look, we had time for portraits throughout the memorial’s walkways and elevated paths. These pathways allowed for portraits with movement, natural candid moments, and scenes overlooking the skyline. Shooting in this area is perfect for couples who want a mix of urban and organic elements in their small wedding photography, and the environment felt especially meaningful for the couple as they eased into the day.

Portraits Around Battery Park City

Following the first look, we continued our portraits through Battery Park City. The neighborhood offers some of the best scenery for small wedding and elopement photography in New York because everything is within walking distance: waterfront views, modern architecture, greenery, and quiet corners that create beautiful variety in a short amount of time.

For this wedding, the slower pace of a small event allowed us to truly explore. There was no rush from one location to the next, and the timeline was built specifically to give the couple time to enjoy the moment. We moved along the waterfront, captured portraits framed by the river and surrounding buildings, and paused in pockets of natural light that worked perfectly for timeless editorial-style photographs.

One of the advantages of our small wedding and elopement package is the flexibility to adjust locations based on weather, light, and the couple’s energy. On this day, the winter light was soft and clean, giving every location a beautiful glow. Downtown Manhattan can often feel busy, but with the right timing and route, it becomes incredibly peaceful for wedding photography. This couple wanted images that reflected the feeling of being together in the city they love, and Battery Park City delivered exactly that.

Ceremony at St. Peter’s Church

From Battery Park City, we made our way to St. Peter’s Church on Barclay Street for their ceremony. This historic church is one of the most timeless ceremony locations in Lower Manhattan, and it suited the couple’s vision for a meaningful, intimate exchange of vows. Small weddings in New York often take place in chapels or churches with deep history, and St. Peter’s creates a sense of reverence that photographs beautifully.

Inside, the ceremony was simple and heartfelt. With only a small group of loved ones present, the couple was able to experience each moment without distraction. The architecture of the church created an elegant backdrop for their vows, and the intimacy of the guest count allowed for quiet, emotional moments that are the heart of elopement photography.

Capturing small ceremonies like this offers something unique. Every expression, gesture, and interaction becomes part of the story. The couple’s focus stayed entirely on one another, and the light inside the church highlighted the emotion of the moment. For couples planning a small wedding or elopement in New York, choosing a ceremony space that feels personal is key, and St. Peter’s offered both beauty and meaning.

Why Our Small Event Package Is Ideal for Elevated Elopements

This wedding is a perfect representation of what couples can experience with our small event photography package. Designed for intimate weddings, elopements, and celebrations under one location group, it provides everything needed for beautiful coverage without the structure of a full-day wedding package.

For couples planning a small wedding or elopement in New York, this package offers:

• A timeline designed specifically for intimate events

• A photographer with extensive experience in capturing small weddings

• Flexible coverage that follows the natural flow of the day

• Time to explore multiple locations for portraits

• A relaxed, unhurried approach that makes the experience enjoyable

New York offers endless possibilities for intimate weddings, from Battery Park City to downtown churches, waterfront walks, and elegant dinner locations. This couple chose a day that reflected who they are, and we were honored to document every moment.

Dinner at Nobu

The celebration continued with dinner at Nobu, a perfect choice for a refined, intimate reception after a small wedding in New York. Many couples planning an elevated elopement prefer a private dinner instead of a traditional reception, and Nobu downtown offers the atmosphere, style, and culinary experience to make the evening unforgettable.

Before they headed inside, we captured a few final portraits at the entrance. The clean lines and modern aesthetic created a beautiful contrast to the earlier locations, rounding out the day with a sense of understated luxury. Dinner receptions for small weddings often feel like a gathering of the closest friends and family, and seeing the couple transition from their ceremony to a relaxed evening together completed the story perfectly.

Final Thoughts

Small weddings and elopements in New York have a special kind of magic. Without the pressure of a large timeline or guest count, couples are free to focus on one another and enjoy every moment of their day. From the Irish Hunger Memorial to Battery Park, from St. Peter’s Church to Nobu, this celebration captured the heart of what makes intimate weddings so meaningful.

If you’re planning a small wedding or elopement in New York and looking for photography that reflects the beauty, emotion, and atmosphere of your day, our team would be honored to capture it. Our small event package is designed for couples seeking elevated, refined coverage that feels personal from beginning to end.