Montauk, New York, holds a special place in my heart, and it is a perfect location for a wedding for ocean lovers, adventure seekers, and if you love spectacular views and a laid-back coastal vibe. A Montauk wedding promises pure magic.
If you are interested in planning your wedding in Montauk then you have to check out The Crows Nest wedding venue. I had the chance to capture Melanie and Samuel’s wedding here and it is a charming and intimate venue that’s ideal for you if you’re looking for a location where you can have a backyard-style wedding with a tent, string lights, and views of Lake Montauk.
Read on to learn more about why Montauk is the perfect place for a wedding, where you can stay, activities to do in the area, and the Crow’s Nest wedding venue.
Why Plan A Montauk Wedding
Montauk is the ideal spot if you want a laidback beach wedding with a nautical-chic vibe – and I mean, who doesn’t want to plan a wedding in the Hamptons?
Your guests can spend your wedding weekend hanging out at the beach, surfing the famous waves, exploring the charming town, and indulging in delicious, fresh, local seafood.
You could also consider planning a pre-wedding bonfire or even a clam bake on the beach, complete with stunning sunset views.
It’s a great place for big or small weddings, and you have so many incredible wedding venue options to choose from whether you want to get married at the Montauk Lighthouse, a historic mansion, with your toes in the sand in front of the ocean, or at a yacht club – just to name a few different options for you.
There are also plenty of fun and charming accommodations for you and your guests- whether you want to stay in a beach cottage, a boutique hotel, or perhaps a luxury beach hotel and spa.
There’s really something for everyone in Montauk. Whether you’re envisioning a sophisticated, upscale celebration or a boho-tropical vibe with a relaxed ambiance, you can plan your dream wedding here.
Montauk allows you to tailor your day to fit your unique style and aesthetic while providing you with a one-of-a-kind backdrop for your celebration.
Where to Stay in Montauk
Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa
Gurney’s is the best option for you if you’re looking for a luxury hotel that has a full-service spa and room options with ocean views. It provides you with direct access to a 2,000-foot private sand beach. It’s truly a beach lover’s paradise.
Hero Beach Club
Hero Beach Club is another great option that’s located just outside of downtown Montauk – you can easily walk into the town or use one of the hotel’s complimentary bikes. It’s close to the beach and has a chic and relaxed ambiance.
Montauk Beach House
Montauk Beach House is the place to stay if you want your wedding weekend to be a huge party. This hotel hosts pool parties and DJs on the weekends and is located one block away from Montauk’s Main Street.
Daunt’s Albatross
Daunt’s Albatross is just 100 feet from the ocean and feels like a private oasis. This location is more low-key and laidback than other accommodations in Montauk. It’s simple yet comfortable, and you can relax in the pool, sit at the firepits, or use one of their complimentary beach cruisers.
Things To Do in Montauk During a Weekend Wedding Celebration
I have to say, planning a wedding weekend that is more than just your ceremony and reception is the perfect way to celebrate such a special time in your life. Your wedding day goes by so quickly, and it can honestly feel like a lot to try to spend meaningful time with each and every one of your wedding guests.
But the great thing about Montauk is that you have so many incredible activities that you and your guests can do leading up to your wedding. Whether you want to plan group outings or just have some fun things for people to choose from, there is a little bit of everything here.
Whether you want to do something a bit more adventurous or you want to take a beat and relax before your big day, here are some of the best things you can do with your guests:
- Take surf lessons
- Go on fishing excursions
- Hiking & biking
- Kayaking & paddle boarding
- Enjoy sunset cocktails by the ocean
- Shop local
- Enjoy fresh, local seafood
- Visit the iconic Montauk Lighthouse
- Visit a winery
- Go on a private sailboat tour
Wedding in Montauk: Crow’s Nest
I recently had the pleasure of capturing Melanie and Samuel’s wedding at the Crow’s Nest and it was absolutely incredible. This truly is a great venue if you are planning a wedding in Montauk and there are so many great things about this venue.
Crow’s Nest has private access to Lake Montauk and is right next to the beach. It also has a hotel with 14 rooms so you and your wedding party can consider staying your entire wedding weekend at the venue.
You can have your ceremony right next to the scenic lake, where you’ll catch sailboats drifting in the background, all while being surrounded by nature. Then you can have your reception in a huge tent that is beautiful and spacious, and it will also protect you from any inclement weather.
It’s a great location if you know that you want waterfront views, beach vibes, and an intimate wedding. Plus, there is plenty of room around the property to roam. This means that we are able to sneak away and get some privacy to take some incredible portraits.
When the sun goes down, the venue just gets even better. The string lights around the tent make the area feel magical and the calmness from the water really creates a peace that is perfect for your wedding.
Frequently Asked Questions: Montauk Weddings
Where is Montauk?
At the very eastern tip of Long Island, New York — about two and a half hours from Manhattan by car or accessible by the Long Island Rail Road. It’s the furthest point out in the Hamptons, which gives it a more remote, end-of-the-world quality that sets it apart from the rest of the East End.
What makes Montauk a good wedding destination?
The combination of dramatic ocean scenery, a laid-back coastal vibe, and genuine variety of venue options. You can get married at the historic Montauk Lighthouse, on the beach with your toes in the sand, at a yacht club, in a backyard tent overlooking Lake Montauk, or at a luxury resort. The town itself provides a wedding weekend experience — surfing, fresh seafood, beach bonfires, clam bakes — that most wedding destinations can’t offer.
What is The Crow’s Nest?
An intimate, charming venue on Lake Montauk — think backyard-style wedding with a tent, string lights, and water views. It’s the kind of venue that feels personal rather than grand, and it produces photographs that feel genuinely relaxed and warm. More at crowsnestmontauk.com.
Where should wedding guests stay in Montauk?
Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa is the luxury option — ocean views, full-service spa, direct beach access. The Montauk Yacht Club is excellent for nautical-themed celebrations. For something more casual, beach cottages and boutique hotels throughout town give guests a range of price points. Booking accommodations early is essential for summer weekends when Montauk fills up fast.
What time of year is best for a Montauk wedding?
Late summer and early fall — September and October especially. The crowds thin after Labor Day, the light goes extraordinary, and the ocean is still warm enough for beach activities. Summer is beautiful but peak season means peak prices and crowds. Late May and June are also lovely before the summer rush arrives.
What are the best portrait locations in Montauk?
The Montauk Lighthouse and the bluffs above the ocean give you dramatic, wide-open landscape portraits unlike anything available in the city. The dunes and beach at sunset produce the kind of golden light that makes images look effortless. Lake Montauk at dusk is quieter and more intimate. And the town itself — the weathered shingle buildings, the fishing boats, the local character — adds texture to a session that pure beach scenery alone can’t.
How far is Montauk from New York City?
About two and a half hours by car depending on traffic, or accessible by the Long Island Rail Road from Penn Station with a connection at Jamaica. For summer weekends, driving on Friday afternoon means traffic — build extra time in or consider arriving Thursday evening.
Do you travel to Montauk for weddings?
Yes — Montauk is one of my favorite destinations for exactly the kind of work I love most. The light, the landscape, the laid-back energy — it all makes for extraordinary photography. If your wedding is in Montauk, I’d love to hear about it. And for more on my destination work more broadly, my destination wedding portfolio covers what I bring to locations far from the city.
Montauk at sunset is one of the most beautiful places I’ve photographed. If your wedding is here, I’d love to hear about it.
