New York, New York. A city of legends, lights, dreams, and love. Of course, in Manhattan, love doesn’t come cheap. The average wedding here costs a whopping $76,944. But, in exchange, you definitely get what you pay for: a Manhattan wedding is always an event to remember.
From glitz and glamour to the iconic sites, here are our picks for the best Manhattan wedding venues (including some that won’t break the bank).
New York Public Library
Photo by Brian Dorsey Studios
It doesn’t get much more iconic than a wedding at the New York Public Library. Choose from four breathtaking spaces including the Bartos Forum, pictured above, the McGraw Rotunda, and Astor Hall, both featured in relation to Carrie and Big’s botched wedding in the Sex and the City movie. Is it cheap? Absolutely not. Is it spectacular? Yes. Yes. Yes.
Capacity: 425 seated
Typical cost: Rental cost starts at $60,000
Bonus: Your rental fee goes directly toward supporting the Library’s programs and services.
Loeb Central Park Boathouse
Find a little serenity in the big city at the Loeb Boathouse. Located on the lake in the middle of Central Park, the Boathouse’s usual restaurant and bar transform into a one-of-a-kind space for your event. Looking out over the lake and the trees, you can almost forget you’re getting married at the center of the universe. But, then again, why would you want to?
Capacity: Minimum is 165 on Saturday and 125 on Friday and Sunday
Typical cost: $165 – $245 per person
Bonus: Reviewers agree the staff at the boathouse are seasoned pros, so you can bet every detail of your event will be executed to perfection.
620 Loft & Garden
Walk down the aisle at 620 Loft & Garden, and you’ll have to pinch yourself. Located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza and hedged in by concrete giants, the manicured rooftop garden feels like something out of a dream. At 620 Loft & Garden you can peek down at Fifth Avenue and marvel at St. Patrick’s Cathedral from the altar. Then, head inside to the Loft, a completely customizable space, where you can dine and dance the night away.
Capacity: 96 seated
Typical cost: Starting at $385 per person with a $1,500 ceremony fee
Bonus: Also, don’t let the New York weather intimidate you—the garden has a tented area just for that reason. Couples host outdoor wedding ceremonies throughout the year.
Housing Works Bookstore Cafe
The Housing Works Bookstore Cafe hosts weddings with a whole lot of heart. Not only is the venue beautiful (think Ivy league library) but the cost of your wedding goes giving back to the community. 100% of the venue’s proceeds go toward helping the homeless living with HIV and AIDS.
Capacity: 150 for a seated buffet
Typical cost: Average food and beverage cost of $200 per person
Bonus: Since the Bookstore Cafe’s mahogany balconies and book-lined walls need very little embellishment, you can save some money on decorations.
The Plaza Hotel
Photo by Nathan Smith for Ira Lippke Studios
“Nothing unimportant ever happens at The Plaza.” Located on the corner of Central Park and Fifth Avenue, The Plaza Hotel has been the pinnacle of New York glamour for over a century, and is one of the most prestigious wedding venues in the country. Choose from several rooms, including the iconic Grand Ballroom and Terrace Room (pictured above), for your shining, sparkling, unforgettable affair.
Capacity: 500 seated
Typical cost: Starting at $375 per person
Bonus: Take a virtual tour.
Tribeca Rooftop
Tribeca Rooftop diverges from the buttoned-up glamour of most Manhattan venues. It is, in three words, industrial, trendy, and spacious. Located atop a 1920s printing press, the 14,000 square foot rooftop and 15,000 square foot interior space are yours to command. And since the space is a dedicated event venue, the detailed execution of your wedding will always feel like the priority.
Capacity: 150 – 325
Typical cost: $230 – $320 per person
Bonus: People just love this place. Reviewers absolutely rave about the coordinators, food, and service.
The Beekman Hotel
If you’re looking for a wedding venue that channels the charm and romance of Old New York, The Beekman Hotel should be on your list. Since its founding predates the United States by 15 years, this place has definitely seen some things. And along with a satisfying dose of history, wedding packages at The Beekman cover the basics for your event including votive candles, printed menus, tables, and linens.
Capacity: 90
Typical cost: Starting at $155 per person
Bonus: Your rental also comes with a complimentary one night stay.
Central Park’s Conservatory Garden
@yearandadayphoto
For lovers in New York, there’s no place like Central Park. And Conservatory Garden is perfect for an iconic New York wedding ceremony — especially on a budget. Located at 105th and Fifth Avenue, the six-acre Conservatory Garden consists of three smaller gardens and a large lawn (pictured above). Ceremonies can only be held in the gardens, not the lawn, but the lawn can be rented for 30 minutes of wedding party photos.
Capacity: 100
Typical cost: $400 permit fee and $100 photography permit fee for the lawn
Bonus: Your permit fee goes directly toward maintaining and cultivating the Conservatory Garden.
Manhattan Penthouse on Fifth Avenue
A dedicated event venue off Union Square on Fifth Avenue, the Manhattan Penthouse is a great place for your wedding. The penthouse venue offers 8,000 square feet of space, delicious and extensive menu options, and some of the best 360 degree views of the city. Plus, as compared to other elegant Manhattan venues, this place is a great value.
Capacity: 200 seated
Typical cost: $3,000 – $6,000 rental fee
Bonus: Consider a daytime event to take full advantage of the spectacular views.
