When selecting a wedding venue in one of the greatest cities in the world, there are several factors to consider. Location, style, and capacity will play a significant role in your decision-making process alongside your budget. It’s essential to consider incorporating locations that hold meaning to you as a couple and offer picturesque backdrops for your wedding photography, such as Central Park, Grand Central Station, the Brooklyn Bridge, or the iconic NYC skyline.
Many of New York’s top venues are open to the public during the day and are designated landmarks, so it’s crucial to plan accordingly, especially when loading in and out of the venue. It is where the expertise of a wedding planner becomes invaluable, as they can navigate the complexities and logistics seamlessly.
Moreover, the city is also home to unique industrial spaces that may require more creative efforts in designing and decorating your event. But New York City has no shortage of options if you’re seeking a hidden gem, a rustic or romantic setting, or something unconventional. NYC has everything!
To assist you in your search, we, along with the NYC photographer Olga Merzlikina, have curated this list!
MEET THE EXPERT
Olga Merzlikina is a talented photographer based in New York, NY, specializing in lifestyle, portrait, wedding, family, and event photography. With a warm and friendly personality, she is passionate about capturing beautiful moments and is a devoted wife and mother to an adorable baby boy.
“It would be my absolute pleasure to accompany you on a photo session, especially in such a stunning city. I approach each shoot carefully and with a minimalist/natural light style. I love to connect with people through photography to create ageless images. Memories can be fleeting, but photography can preserve time and transport us back to pivotal moments in our lives.”
These venues encompass various event spaces, catering to different preferences. Finding the perfect venue can transform your wedding into a magical experience and set the stage for a fulfilling and exciting wedding planning journey.
620 Loft & Garden
Capacity: up to 165 guests
Neighborhood: Midtown
Address: 620 5th Ave, New York, NY 10020
620 Loft & Garden is a Manhattan wedding venue at Rockefeller Center that offers stunning views of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the cityscape beyond. The space hosts up to 165 guests and can be customized to fit your wedding day vision. The venue features a year-round immaculately groomed garden, sparkling pool, and whimsical fountain, providing a tranquil atmosphere amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. Even in winter, the views of the city’s Ice Skating Rink and Christmas tree are breathtaking. The venue has lofted ceilings and wall-to-wall windows that pay homage to the incredible city views below. It is an ideal location for couples seeking to marry above one of the world’s most famous landmarks.
Photo: 1, 4 – Amy Sims Photography, 2 – Christian Oth Studio, 3 – Arielle Says, 5 – Liz Andolina, 6 – Fred Marcus Studio
Rainbow Room
Capacity: up to 300 guests seated, 400 reception
Neighborhood: Midtown
Address: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th Floor, New York, NY 10112
The Rainbow Room is an iconic venue on the 65th floor of Rockefeller Center, offering stunning panoramic views of New York City, including the Empire State Building. The space features a domed ceiling, magnificent crystal chandeliers, and decorative sconces that create an elegant and timeless atmosphere. The venue’s centerpiece is the revolving dance floor, which has hosted famous guests such as Joan Rivers, Jimmy Carter, and Joan Crawford. With the capacity to host up to 300 guests, the Rainbow Room is ideal for couples seeking a luxurious and sophisticated wedding reception.
Photo: 1 – Amber Gress Photography, 2 – Christian Oth Studio, 3 – Joanna Toto, 4 – Michael Falco
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Capacity: up to 1000 guests
Neighborhood: Upper East Side, Central Park East
Address: 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the most renowned museums in the world, provides a breathtaking backdrop for wedding ceremonies and receptions. The Great Hall and Great Hall Balcony, with their immense domes, arches, and marble mosaic floor, provide a majestic entrance to The Met, while the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden offers unparalleled views of Central Park and the NYC skyline. The venue offers a range of unique spaces, including the grand medieval hall and the stunning rooftop garden, that will make your wedding unforgettable. Located on Fifth Avenue at the edge of Central Park, The Met’s grand landmarked building is as impressive as its art collection. With a selection of incomparable settings, you can host your wedding in New York’s premier cultural institution.
Photo: 2 – Hayim Heron, 3 – Lanna Apisukh, 4 – John Dolan, 5 – Leon Studio
Tribeca Rooftop + 360°
Capacity: up to 325 seated, 700 reception
Neighborhood: Tribeca
Address: 2 Desbrosses St, New York, NY 10013
Nestled on a charming cobblestone street in the fashionable Tribeca district of Lower Manhattan, Tribeca Rooftop offers a quintessentially New York experience with its breathtaking panoramic views of the Hudson River, Empire State Building, Soho, and downtown Manhattan. This 15,000 square foot event space occupies two floors of a former 1920s printing press building, featuring an elegant indoor area and a stunning rooftop terrace that makes it the ideal venue for a wedding any time of year. So while spring, summer, and fall weddings are gorgeous, you can still enjoy the rooftop year-round without worrying about the cold.
Photo: 1 – Michael Jurick, 2 – Fred Marcus Studio, 3 – Roey Yohai Studios, 4 – JP Elario
The Plaza
Capacity: up to 500 seated, 1000 reception
Neighborhood: Midtown, Central park South
Address: 768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019
The Plaza is a top choice for couples seeking an iconic and unforgettable wedding experience. This legendary hotel on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan offers luxurious ballrooms with breathtaking views of Central Park and opulent interiors.
Founded in 1907 and featured in countless movies, The Plaza offers a chance to get married where Hollywood stars, presidents, and kings have stayed. From the Grand Ballroom to The Terrace Room, The Edwardian Room, The Oak Room & Bar, to the Palm Court and Rose Club, The Plaza has a variety of spaces that can accommodate up to 500 guests for a seated reception. The hotel’s unique architecture, stunning decor, and custom options based on your wedding theme and number of guests make it one of the most sought-after wedding venues in New York City.
Photo: 1, 4, 6 – Fred Marcus Studio, 2, 3, 5 – Ira Lippke Studios
The Loeb Boathouse Central Park
Capacity: Up to 230 guests
Neighborhood: Central Park
Address: Park Drive North, E 72nd St, New York, NY 10021
Located in the heart of Central Park, The Loeb Boathouse is a romantic and authentic wedding venue that offers stunning lake views, a charming outdoor patio, and an elegant ballroom. With a long history of reconstruction, the venue officially opened in March of 1954 and has since become one of the most popular wedding venues in NYC. The picturesque surroundings, including the adjacent lake, indigenous birds, and species of butterflies, create a wonderful setting for a ceremony and reception, which can be held indoors or outdoors. Accommodating weddings in any season, you can transform the venue to suit your wedding day vision. Plus, with Central Park as your backdrop, you’ll have many opportunities for timeless and cinematic wedding photography.
Photo: 1 – Anthony Vazquez, 2 – Brian Hatton, 3, 4 – Susan Shek
The New York Public Library
Capacity: up to 250 seated, 750 reception
Neighborhood: Midtown, Bryant Park
Address: 476 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018
The New York Public Library is an iconic and grand wedding venue that offers couples a unique and unforgettable experience. One of the most famous movie wedding scenes with Carry Bradshaw and Mr.Big was shot here. The Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, located in the heart of Manhattan, is a quintessential New York City icon with sky-high ceilings, marble columns, and grand staircases inside and out. With six beautiful event spaces, including the popular Celeste Bartos Forum and the stunning McGraw Rotunda, the NYPL can cater to weddings of various sizes, from intimate gatherings to lavish extravaganzas of up to 750 guests standing. Hosting your wedding at the Library offers access to these gorgeous spaces and supports one of the world’s premier non-profit institutions. In addition, all event fees contribute to sustaining the Library’s indispensable collections, services, and programs.
Photo: 1 – Christian Oth Studio, 2 – Nathan Smith, 3, 5 – Allan Zepeda, 4 – Rebecca Walker, 6 – Shawn Connell
American Museum of Natural History
Capacity: up to 750 seated, 1500 reception
Neighborhood: Upper West Side, Central Park West
Address: 200 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024
The Natural History Museum is a stunning New York City wedding venue, especially for those with an extensive guest list. It’s a unique and elegant choice that offers endless possibilities for milestone celebrations. The grand lobby, with a dinosaur as the centerpiece, is perfect for guests to enjoy cocktails. You can dine and dance under the stars, the squid, and the whale. The Museum’s breathtaking halls offer endless possibilities for wedding receptions. In the Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda, you’ll be greeted by a soaring 100-foot ceiling above historic murals and the most dynamic dinosaur display in the world. The Cullman Hall of the Universe is perfect for seated meals and receptions, with the Willamette meteorite, the Hayden Planetarium Sphere, and the floating planets of our solar system. The Akeley Hall of African Mammals, with the elephants as the main event and dramatic depictions of African wildlife, is perfect for receptions. And remember the iconic 94-foot-long blue whale model that floats in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, surrounded by world-famous ocean dioramas
Photo: 1 – Brian Dorsey, 2 – Meredith Heuer, 3, 4- Ira Lippke Studios
Cipriani 25 Broadway
Capacity: up to 850 guests
Neighborhood: Financial District
Address: 25 Broadway 9th floor, New York, NY 10004
Located in the heart of Lower Manhattan, Cipriani 25 Broadway is an Italian neo-Renaissance masterpiece and a true New York City landmark. Completed in 1921 and designed by Benjamin Wistar Morris, this grand space boasts soaring 65-foot-high ceilings, magnificent marble columns, and stunning inlaid floors, all accentuated by breathtaking murals painted by Ezra Winter. The space is perfect for hosting an elegant and sophisticated wedding ceremony that your guests will remember forever.
The venue’s distinguished and unique architecture and the stunning natural light that floods through the high windows create an unforgettable atmosphere that will leave your guests amazed. They can gaze up at the twinkling stars and dance under the romantic murals, soaking in the grandeur of this magnificent space. With Cipriani’s four generations of expertise in cuisine and service, your wedding day will be a seamless and unforgettable experience.
Photo: 1, 2 – Afrik Armando, 3, 5 – Ira Lippke Studios, 4 – Anee Atelier, 6 – Roey Yohai Studios
The Pier Sixty Collection
Capacity: up to 2000 guests
Neighborhood: Chelsea
Address: Pier 60 Chelsea Piers, New York, NY 10011
Situated in the heart of Chelsea Piers, Pier Sixty stands as Manhattan’s largest waterfront event venue. Spanning an impressive 20,000 square feet, it offers ample space to accommodate up to 2,000 guests. With its floor-to-ceiling windows, guests can enjoy breathtaking views, while the glass-enclosed terrace provides direct access to the picturesque waterfront. Pier Sixty prides itself on its elegant and customizable backdrop, making it the perfect choice for any event. The Pier Sixty Collection also includes two additional waterfront venues: The Lighthouse, a spacious event space spanning 10,000 square feet and accommodating up to 800 guests, and Current, a contemporary venue covering 6,000 square feet and hosting 360 guests. So whether it’s a wedding, corporate event, or special celebration, The Pier Sixty Collection offers unparalleled waterfront views and impeccable event planning services to ensure a truly unforgettable experience for all attendees.
Photo: 1, 3 – The Totos, 2, 4 – Fred Marcus Studio
