Wedding Ceremony in Grand Central Terminal

[TheSueSaga]

(I'm hoping this is the correct forum to post this!)
Does anyone know if I can get married in Grand Central Terminal? I don't want to "host" a wedding there. My fiancé and I just want to stand in the middle of the terminal surrounded by forty or so loved ones, perform a five to seven minute ceremony, take a few photos, then leave.

 

[CCC1007]

I suggest seeing if Metro North has a contact link to ask them, since they own the building.

 

[John Bredin]

This MTA document seems to answer your question. In particular, section 1085.4(d) governs noncommercial activities at Grand Central. There's a requirement for a permit, to be applied for

at the general superintendent's office in Grand Central terminal between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

 

[TheSueSaga]

This MTA document seems to answer your question. In particular, section 1085.4(d) governs noncommercial activities at Grand Central. There's a requirement for a permit, to be applied for

Thank you so much!

 

[TheSueSaga]

I suggest seeing if Metro North has a contact link to ask them, since they own the building.

Thank you!

 

[pennyk]

I have been in Grand Central Terminal and seen what appeared to be a fairly large wedding party. I think I took photos (at a distance).

 

[Dutchrailnut]

Metro North does not really own Grand Central , the Grand Central partnership does .
but start here : Contact - Grand Central Terminal

 

[TheSueSaga]

I have been in Grand Central Terminal and seen what appeared to be a fairly large wedding party. I think I took photos (at a distance).

Thank you! All of the pictures from ceremonies I've seen online were elopements.

 

[TheSueSaga]

Metro North does not really own Grand Central , the Grand Central partnership does .
but start here : Contact - Grand Central Terminal

Thank you for the info!

 

[neroden]

Metro North does not really own Grand Central , the Grand Central partnership does .
but start here : Contact - Grand Central Terminal

Actually, Dutchrailnut -- you're out of date! The MTA owns GCT now, since March 2020.
https://rew-online.com/mta-takes-ownership-of-grand-central-terminal/
. You still gave the right link for scheduling events like weddings, though.

 

[PVD]

Of course, owning and controlling are 2 different things. While the MTA owns it, I believe that most non railroad aspects of terminal management are still handled by the Partnership and Jones Lang Lassalle is the real estate manager.

 

[Seaboard92]

Please come back here and post the photos I'm sure all of us would love to see it.

 

[Brian Battuello]

Congrats, and don't post the date/time, or we might all show up

 

[TheSueSaga]

Please come back here and post the photos I'm sure all of us would love to see it.

I certainly will!

 

[TheSueSaga]

Congrats, and don't post the date/time, or we might all show up

It's GCT, the more the merrier HAHA

 

[Seaboard92]

Congrats, and don't post the date/time, or we might all show up

Who knows with my job I might just be able to. Flying free anywhere anytime. The amount of weddings I've been too lately. Flight crew for some reason always get invites.

 

[Dutchrailnut]

Neroden , Metro North owns the rail levels but not the terminal .

 

[me_little_me]

TheSueSaga, congratulations. Since nobody wants a bunch of foamers at their wedding, tell everyone they can only come if they arrive on Amtrak LD trains. After all, you don't want a bunch of people facing the away from you and making remarks during the ceremony about the cool Metro-North engine they just saw.

 

[Trollopian]

Do Amtrak conductors get to perform wedding ceremonies, kinda like ship captains*? That'd be extra cool.

* This is a popular romantic misconception. Too bad.

 

[dwebarts]

TheSueSaga, congratulations. Since nobody wants a bunch of foamers at their wedding, tell everyone they can only come if they arrive on Amtrak LD trains. After all, you don't want a bunch of people facing the away from you and making remarks during the ceremony about the cool Metro-North engine they just saw.

LD trains only? I guess that leaves out all of the NEC/Acela riders in these parts.

 

[neroden]

Neroden , Metro North owns the rail levels but not the terminal .

Still not correct. The MTA owns the terminal. Land, buildngs, everything. Only since 2020, when they bought it from Midtown TDR Ventures along with the Harlem and Hudson Lines.

I do not think the MTA specifically assigned most of the terminal to its Metro-North subsidiary; I believe large portions of it are operated by its MTA Real Estate subsidiary, instead, and leased out. (See, for example, this RFP -- https://www.grandcentralterminal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/RFP-FINAL11_19.pdf )

(The one thing they don't own: MTA does *not* own the air rights associated with GCT, which were retained by Midtown TDR.)

 

[TheSueSaga]

I have been in contact with the MTA and this was their response:
"We don't accommodate ceremonies of any kind within the general public areas of the terminal. But I recommend you reach out to Cipriani Dolce and see if they can accommodate your quick ceremony within their space, which overlooks the Main Concourse. If you decide to proceed with the restaurant and want to take wedding photos afterwards in the general public areas, the photo permit is something I can assist you with.
Permits are issued for up to a 3-hr time slot, no more than two months and no less than a week in advance of the requested date, on a first-come-first-served basis. In order to avoid the rush hours, on week days you are limited to a time between 10 AM and 3 PM (10 AM and 1 PM on Fridays in the summer) or after 8 PM. Weekends have no official rush, so time is more flexible. Please note as this is an active train terminal, there are black-out periods where no permits can be issued. Note, you will not be allowed on any staircases, landings, or anywhere beyond the train gates."

You can rent out the terminal entrance, Vanderbilt Hall, for all types of events, just not weddings. Cipriani Dolce won't accommodate weddings with more than ten guests. And the Grand Central Oyster Bar is a little rich for our budget, at $127 per person for a buffet style meal.

 

[neroden]

It seems genuinely strange that they would restrict Vanderbilt Hall rentals to "anything but weddings". That makes no sense whatsoever. I mean, I guess I could rent it for a commitment ceremony ?!?! An anniversary? A funeral? Excluding weddings makes no sense for that room.

 

[MARC Rider]

And the Grand Central Oyster Bar is a little rich for our budget, at $127 per person for a buffet style meal.

I'm glad to see that the Oyster Bar has reopened. I hope it stays that way through next June when they fly in the new herring from Holland.

 

[TheSueSaga]

It seems genuinely strange that they would restrict Vanderbilt Hall rentals to "anything but weddings". That makes no sense whatsoever. I mean, I guess I could rent it for a commitment ceremony ?!?! An anniversary? A funeral? Excluding weddings makes no sense for that room.

I was surprised by that as well. Most venues love weddings because they can mark up everything.