What are the best unique NYC wedding venues? Well, that depends on what type of wedding aesthetic you’re going for.
As a NYC wedding photographer, I’ve captured many couples on their wedding day all throughout the city. Over the years, I’ve gathered up a list of unique wedding venues in New York City for those quirky couples who genuinely want something a little less mainstream.
From chic hotels to industrial-esque green spaces, keep reading to learn all about the best unique NYC wedding venues as you prepare for your unforgettable day.
Unique NYC Wedding Venues
The Bowery Hotel
This list wouldn’t be complete without starting off with one of my favorite unique wedding venues in New York City, The Bowery Hotel. Located on Bowery and 3rd Street, The Bowery Hotel was created by Sean MacPherson and Eric Goode.
What sets this venue apart is its unique style; you’ll find wood beams, Moroccan tiled floors, fireplaces, an outdoor terrace, and even brick walls made from rescued brick. It exquisitely combines both the historic and modern in a way that you won’t find elsewhere.
When booking a wedding at The Bowery Hotel, you will get exclusive access to the Bowery Terrace, their 2nd-floor event space. Up to 175 guests can be here for your wedding, but you could also use the area for a more intimate elopement if you’d prefer.
99 Scott
Situated right between Bushwick and East Williamsburg is 99 Scott. This is one of those wedding venue spaces that you can morph into what your aesthetic is! There’s a variety of both indoor and outdoor spaces here, with an industrial chic yet garden-esque atmosphere.
99 Scott is inside an old warehouse with 5,000 square feet of indoor space and 8,000+ square feet outdoors. For reference, the entire space can accommodate around 2,500 guests at any given moment, just to show you how big it is!
The main indoor area at 99 Scott has exposed brick walls, high ceilings, huge windows for natural light, and fun sparkle lights that hang from the ceiling. It really has that classic New York City vibe. Meanwhile, the outdoor space truly feels like an enchanted garden.
The Wythe Hotel
The Wythe Hotel is a boutique hotel situated in Williamsburg. Originally, it was home to a factory but has since been turned into the fun hotel that it is today… which is what makes it such a unique NYC wedding venue! It’s about 120 years old as of 2023.
This LGBT-inclusive venue features a beautiful main hall and garden terrace. Throughout the building, you’ll find spots where ivy grows up the brick walls (which are original) while natural light seeps in through the large windows. Fun string lights help to add to the ambiance!
Ceremonies at The Wythe Hotel can accommodate up to 250 guests if needed. Elopements and smaller ceremonies of up to 40 guests are also available to be booked. Catering is included from Le Crocodile, the on-site French restaurant that has been named as one of the top 100 NYC restaurants before by The New York Times.
The Dumbo Loft
Another factory-turned-venue is The Dumbo Loft. Located in the iconic industrial Dumbo neighborhood, which boomed between the 1800s to 1900s, The Dumbo Loft has a truly historic feel to it, yet it still feels timeless.
There are lots of great features of the space, including brick walls, high ceilings, and some of the biggest windows that look out to cobblestone streets. The reception and ceremony can accommodate 140 guests.
While The Dumbo Loft itself is truly magnificent, it is also near one of the most iconic photo spots of all time, with a breathtaking view of the Manhattan Bridge. Sure, this is one of the more popular photo spots in NYC, but it’s still worth capturing a fun photo out on the street on your big day. It’s also not far from Jane’s Carousel!
Cipriani 42nd Street
Cipriani 42nd Street is an iconic New York City wedding venue that has lots of unique elements. Located in the middle of Manhattan, this venue has large marble columns, massively high ceilings, and arch elements that almost add a fairytale twist to the venue, especially with their theatrical lighting.
If you want a larger wedding, Cipriani 42nd Street is a great option, as it can accommodate up to around 850 guests. It’s incredibly elegant and has an essence of royalty throughout the venue.
Similar to The Dumbo Loft, because of Cipriani 42nd Street’s location, there are lots of great spots to get wedding photos in the area, too, outside of the venue.
Soho Grand Hotel
Dating back to 1996, the Soho Grand Hotel on West Broadway is another of the best unique NYC wedding venues. Not only is it the first luxury boutique hotel in downtown Manhattan, but stylistically, it’s a photographer’s dream.
Throughout the venue, there’s a multitude of both indoor and outdoor spaces to choose from, including a Loft Penthouse with full views of downtown Manhattan. The capacity of the Soho Grand Hotel is 150, so it’s great for smaller-size weddings.
For the full experience, you could also stay right at the Soho Grand Hotel for the event, where you can stay in modern rooms decked out with designer bathrobes and access to NYC views from bed.
Brooklyn Winery
What’s more unique than getting married at a boutique winery in the middle of Williamsburg? This space can accommodate 175 guests with its full-service wedding option, which comes with decor, food by Chef Shaun Lafountain, and, of course, incredible wine and cocktails made in-house.
One of the coolest aspects of getting married at Brooklyn Winery is that the space overlooks the barrel room. The walls feature a combination of brick and wood, with high ceilings and an intimate ambiance.
For couples looking for a chic wedding venue in a great area, Brooklyn Winery should definitely be considered as an option.
The Foundry
Staying on the topic of unique historic venues, next is The Foundry. This 19th-century venue has been carefully restored, keeping its industrial charm. While the space can be used for everything from photo shoots to bat mitzvahs, it’s truly one of the best wedding venues in NYC for those wanting a unique flair.
Throughout The Foundry’s space, you’ll find more than 3000 square feet of space, including breathtaking views of the NYC skyline from a rooftop terrace. Booking a wedding here means that you get access to the ground floor, kitchen, and courtyard space, which you can add a tent to.
For an additional fee, you can rent out their terrace (which comes with sweeping views of the skyline), pool room, and other spaces. Up to 180 guests can be accommodated here.
620 Loft and Garden
Located at Rockefeller Center, the 620 Loft and Garden allows you and your lover to get married in the heart of the city, right above all the noise! With 3,300 feet of space, including views of both Fifth Avenue and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, this venue can host 165 guests.
What makes 620 Loft and Garden so great is that it is a combination of both indoor and outdoor spaces, making it ideal for weddings any time of year. The aesthetic beauty and serenity of the space (despite being so central) are unmatched. Guests can easily get to the venue via public transportation, and many accommodations are in the area for those coming from out-of-town.
All-inclusive packages are offered at 620 Loft and Garden, and you’re welcome to host your engagement party or rehearsal dinner there too.
The W Loft
While I love more historic venues with charm, I had to include at least one more modern option for unique NYC wedding venues. The W Loft in Brooklyn overlooks the water and the entire Manhattan skyline, making it a great choice.
This venue space can accommodate 80 guests seated or 150 if they’ll be standing. There’s also an entire rooftop space (which can be dressed up with lanterns for an elegant feel) that can host an additional 50 guests.
Tribeca Rooftop
Last but certainly not least is the Tribeca Rooftop, another excellent option for couples who want views of Manhattan during their big day. In fact, here, you can look out and see top spots like Soho and the Empire State Building.
This chic venue has 15,000 square feet and is inside an old printing press building. The capacity of Tribeca Rooftop changes depending on where you’ll be. On average, it can host around 325 guests for ceremonies.
Many other amenities are available at this unique NYC venue, including on-site get-ready rooms, private elevators, valet service, an 1,100-square-foot dance floor, and more.
Final Thoughts: Unique Wedding Venues in NYC
One of the most important parts of planning a wedding is choosing a venue that resonates with you and your unique love story, especially in a vibrant city like New York. Remember that you can embrace your uniqueness by choosing a venue that’s different from the more popular locations throughout the city.
If you’re still in the planning process but know that you want to book a wedding photographer in NYC, I’d love to learn more about your love story. Click here to learn more about my wedding photography services to get started.
