Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa sits directly on the Atlantic Ocean at the eastern tip of Long Island — one of the most genuinely beautiful wedding venues on the East Coast. I’ve photographed here twice and I love everything about Montauk. The vibe is rustic but elevated: the ocean is right there, the light is extraordinary, and the whole place feels like it exists at the edge of the world in the best possible way. More at gurneys.com.
About Gurney’s Montauk
Originally built in 1926 as a small inn, Gurney’s has expanded over the decades into one of the premier oceanfront resorts on the East Coast. The property sits on a private ocean beach with panoramic Atlantic views, a seawater spa, multiple dining venues, and event spaces that range from the beachfront to a spacious indoor ballroom. The combination of natural beauty and sophisticated design is what makes it such a distinctive wedding venue — it never feels like a generic resort.
The Venue
The primary reception space is a tent — and not in a diminishing way. At Gurney’s the tent feels right. You’re on the Atlantic Ocean at the edge of Long Island and the whole property leans into that outdoor, elemental quality. The tent reception with the ocean outside is part of what makes a Gurney’s wedding feel like Gurney’s.
The Photo Locations
The Beach
Gurney’s private Atlantic Ocean beach is the defining feature of the venue. Pristine sand, dunes, that eastern Long Island light — it’s genuinely extraordinary. Beach ceremony portraits and golden hour images here are unlike anything you get at an inland venue.
The Decks
The decks run the full length of the property with unobstructed ocean views. Sunset from the decks at Gurney’s — the sun dropping over the water, the Atlantic behind you — is one of the most beautiful golden hour portrait situations of any venue I’ve shot at in the Hamptons.
The Montauk Lighthouse
A short drive from the resort — the oldest lighthouse in New York State, perched above the Atlantic at the very tip of Long Island. The surrounding landscape is rugged and beautiful. A natural extension of the Montauk aesthetic and one of the most iconic portrait locations in the entire Hamptons.
The Gardens and Grounds
Well-maintained lawns and natural vegetation that provide a quieter, more intimate portrait alternative to the beach. Useful for couple portraits where you want the greenery and the property character without the scale of the ocean.
The Pool Area
Sparkling water, white lounge chairs, lush landscaping — a sophisticated and elegant backdrop for wedding party portraits that feels specifically Gurney’s.
Why I Love Shooting Here
Montauk has a quality that most of the Hamptons doesn’t — it’s genuinely rustic. The landscape at the eastern tip of Long Island is wilder, the light is more dramatic, and the whole area feels removed from the world in a way that Bridgehampton and Southampton don’t quite manage. Gurney’s captures that perfectly. It’s elevated and luxurious but it never loses the sense that the ocean is right there and the world drops off at the edge of the property.
If your wedding is at Gurney’s Montauk, I’d love to hear about it.
Frequently Asked Questions: Gurney’s Montauk Weddings
Where is Gurney’s Montauk located?
290 Old Montauk Highway in Montauk, New York — at the eastern tip of Long Island, directly on the Atlantic Ocean. Approximately two hours from Manhattan by car. More at gurneys.com.
What is Gurney’s Montauk?
A luxury oceanfront resort and event venue on the Atlantic Ocean in Montauk, New York. Originally opened in 1926, the property includes a private ocean beach, seawater spa, multiple dining venues, and event spaces accommodating both intimate ceremonies and large receptions. One of the most distinctive wedding venues on the East Coast.
What makes Gurney’s Montauk distinctive as a wedding venue?
The combination of rustic and elevated that is specifically Montauk. The private Atlantic beach, the dramatic eastern Long Island light, the ocean views from every part of the property. Gurney’s never feels like a generic resort — it feels like it belongs exactly where it is, at the edge of the world at the tip of Long Island.
What are the best photo locations at Gurney’s Montauk?
The private Atlantic beach for ceremony coverage and golden hour portraits. The decks for sweeping ocean view images. The Montauk Lighthouse nearby for iconic eastern Long Island portraits. The gardens for intimate couple portraits. The pool area for sophisticated wedding party shots. And the beach at sunset — the light at Gurney’s at golden hour is genuinely extraordinary.
What is the light like at Gurney’s Montauk for photography?
The eastern Long Island light is dramatic and warm — particularly at golden hour when the sun drops over the ocean and the Atlantic goes golden. The private beach faces south which means afternoon and evening light is ideal for portraits. The decks and outdoor spaces at sunset are some of the most beautiful portrait situations of any Hamptons venue.
What time of year is best for a Gurney’s Montauk wedding?
Late spring through early fall. June through September are peak season for a reason — long days, warm evenings, the ocean at its most beautiful. September is particularly extraordinary: the summer crowds are gone, the light goes golden earlier, and the ocean is still warm. Late May and early October work beautifully with fewer guests and more dramatic skies.
Is there on-site accommodation at Gurney’s Montauk?
Yes — Gurney’s is a full resort with guest rooms and suites, many with ocean views. Having the wedding party and guests stay on property is one of the great advantages of this venue. It makes the morning-of logistics significantly simpler and keeps the energy of the weekend contained in one extraordinary place.
Do you photograph destination weddings in Montauk?
Yes — I’ve shot at Gurney’s twice and I love the area deeply. If your wedding is here, I’d love to hear about it. And for more on my Hamptons work, my Bridgehampton Tennis and Surf Club guide covers another favorite East End venue.
Montauk is rustic but elevated — the ocean is right there and the world drops off at the edge of the property. If your wedding is at Gurney’s, I’d love to be there for it.
