Chosen Chapels of Love Will Rise in Central Park This Weekend

One of the winning chapel designs by architecture firm ICRAVE. Photo courtesy of Pop-Up Chapel.

Two pop-up chapels will, well, pop up in Central Park this weekend. The impromptu venues will offer gay couples a free place to host their weddings now that legislation allowing same-sex couples to marry is in effect.

Pop Up Chapel collaborated with The Knot, a wedding planning website, to celebrate marriage equality and offer a gift to same-sex couples looking to take part in the historic occasion.

The organizations held a design contest for altars that measure 8-by-8 feet. The two winning designs were picked on July 21. The designers were given just eight days and $3,000 to build their installations, which will be placed near the Merchant’s Gate entrance to Central Park by Columbus Circle on July 30.

The first design was created by architect Lionel Ohayon, the owner of the design firm “ICRAVE.”  It will be composed of a metal frame and a rainbow of ribbons.

The second design, “The Kiss” by Guy Zucker, features stacked cardboard that forms an abstract flower-like structure.

Another winning chapel design by Guy Zucker, architect for Z-A. Photo courtesy of Pop-Up Chapel.

Each of the participating 24 couples — chosen by the project’s creators — will get a personalized, 15-minute wedding ceremony complete with cupcakes, champagne, photographers and an audience of 12.