If you are looking for information on the Sanctuary NYC wedding venue, you are in the right place. The Sanctuary NYC wedding venue has always been a place close to my heart and a wedding experience I love to be a part of.
As an NYC photographer, I have first-hand experience of weddings at this great venue and have shot some amazing weddings here before. Check out my previous blog article right here! Not only that, I once lived on Roosevelt Island not long after graduating from college.
So, if you are keen on getting the full low-down on this special venue, read on to see why I believe a Sanctuary NYC Wedding is a great wedding venue choice!
About The Sanctuary NYC Wedding Venue
The Sanctuary Wedding Space is situated on NYC’s Roosevelt Island, and it’s quite fitting that this venue was formally a church. Not so fitting is that the church’s lot previously served as a sanctuary managed by the Wildlife Freedom Foundation (WFF) providing a home for raccoons and cats! Thankfully, that is now a distant memory.
The former church’s stained glass windows and local granite walls fit seamlessly with its now more modern features. The 30-foot marble bar and 40-foot ceiling are truly astounding! I love the contrast between the elements of old and new; to me, it represents that wedding vibe perfectly. I had a great time choosing the best spots to photograph the happy couple here.
Close by to this venue is the Octagon, a historic octagonal building on Roosevelt Island, now on the National Register of Historic Places. The Sanctuary NYC wedding space is situated directly on the East River, with one of the stand-out features for this venue and any wedding being the spectacular view of Manhattan you get.
Roosevelt Island is a pretty special place in its own right. It has six buildings and structures that are New York City designated landmarks. I mean, how amazing is it having your celebration amongst all that history!
Would you believe there is also a farmhouse on this Island too, and one of very few remaining in the city. The Blackwell House at Main Street, was built between 1796 and 1804 for James Blackwell.
Facilities and Capacity at the Sanctuary
There are numerous choices when it comes to the Sanctuary NYC wedding venue and taking photographs at this wedding, including a covered veranda with lounge seating, a huge terrace, and there is also a beautifully renovated three-bedroom stone house, which you can also use for your pre-wedding dinner and post-wedding brunch.
The event space has a capacity of 250 guests. Being on an island offers an additional unique experience that you won’t find in some other traditional wedding venues; it feels like you have a place just for you and your loved ones.
Services Offered at the Sanctuary
The Sanctuary is an all inclusive wedding venue, meaning if there is something you need at your celebration then they will take care of it. It has indoor and outdoor sound systems to keep the party going no matter the weather.
Not only does the Sanctuary host beautiful weddings, but it can also hold your wedding shower and engagement parties, amongst other events.
In-house catering is available, but they also offer the use of a custom wood-fired pizza oven and outdoor bar with bar service if you want an evening snack or something more relaxed. It’s NYC; who doesn’t like pizza?
There are numerous locations available for on-site ceremonies, a bridal suite, and renovated guest rooms for those looking to make their event a true destination. Close by is also the Graduate Hotel. This is the only hotel on the Island, so it would be the obvious and best choice for Sanctuary Roosevelt Island wedding guests.
The Sanctuary Roosevelt Island wedding cost
It’s hard to detail the exact cost of a wedding here but it is safe to say that they can offer a bespoke package to your requirements and even offer a system where you tell them your budget and party size for a personalized quote! Wedding ceremonies can start from as little as $500. This is unique for New York, as wedding costs can be easily out of reach for some people.
Remember that the time of year of your wedding may impact the pricing, so it’s always good to bear this in mind when planning your special day.
The Sanctuary Wedding Couple
I had the absolute pleasure of photographing a truly delightful couple here, it really was an honor to spend their day with them, and we had great fun shooting some timeless wedding photographs. Even though it rained all day, the venue provided us with ample opportunity to get some great shots.
I think fate intervened when we managed to get outside for a surprise sunset. No one saw this coming, but I was so pleased to get such spectacular shots of this celebrated couple; they really deserved such an amazing day. From their engagement session at Carl Schurz Park to this dream of a day, Jackie and Dan were so welcoming and kind to work with. One of my favorite moments of the day was their first look in front of the iconic Roosevelt Island mural at the venue – there was so much joy and laughter that I cried right along with the two of them!
Final Thoughts on A Sanctuary Wedding at Roosevelt Island
I hope you enjoyed this insight into a Sanctuary wedding. While it is one of many venues available in NYC for your special day, this wedding venue and Island will always have a special place in my heart and remain a firm favorite of mine.
If you think this venue is for your wedding day and you want a wedding photographer with a unique insight into this great place, then I would love to chat! Capturing exceptional weddings and preserving your cherished journey, from the weird to the wonderful, is what I love to do!
You can learn more about my wedding photography services here, and to see if I am the right fit for you and your partner, head over here to get in touch and chat through your unique vision for your special day. I would love to help make that dream come to life!
If you are interested in reading more about my last Sanctuary Roosevelt Island wedding, too, check out the post here!
