Unique Wedding Venues for Rent in New York City, NY

Your Guide to Renting Unique Wedding Venues in New York City, NY

We know that every couple wants their big day to be a unique experience! So when it comes to a wedding, the first thing you should sort out is the location (and perhaps the wedding dress)! Venue choice is incredibly important to ensure the wedding’s success and it’s also the priciest thing on your budget. If you’re lost for ideas and have no clue where you’d like to host your event, we suggest you have a look at our selection of unique spaces and get inspired. To help you further with this task, we’ve put together a few planning tips!

Guide to planning a unique wedding

Are you ready to start planning your wedding? We hope so! Take five minutes to read through our short guide to learn about the basics you should know before you book the perfect spot for your big day!

• Budget. Have you already calculated how much money you’ll spend on everything? In wedding planning, venue rental will take up a significant portion of the entire budget, and the rest will go toward catering, entertainment, and decorations. That’s why we recommend considering the costs of all the elements we’ve mentioned above and picking a spend that you’ll be able to stick to before you make any final decisions. Once you have decided everything, set the price range on Tagvenue and browse only those places that meet your requirements.

• Date. When you start searching for a wedding venue, we suggest you already have a date (or a few of them) in mind. If you approach the scheduling with flexibility, you’ll have more options to choose from. Remember that the best venues get booked well in advance, so if you’re set on just one date, you might miss a chance to host your wedding in the place that has stolen your heart. Ideally, you should book at least 9 months before the big day. If you stick to this timeline, you’ll increase your chances of securing your dream wedding venue and have enough time to plan every detail of the day.

• Guest list. Even though you might think it’s too early to send out the invitations, it’s definitely not too early to start thinking about who will make the cut on this special day. We’re not telling you that you need a detailed list ready a few months in advance, but you’ll definitely need to determine the size of your wedding to help you narrow down your search to venues with the right capacity. Makes sense, doesn’t it?

• Location. Have you already thought about your dream place to get married in NYC? Are you into an elaborate restaurant somewhere on the Upper East Side, a space in Chinatown offering a proper Asian-style experience, an industrial spot in Soho, or perhaps an outdoor venue in Williamsburg? Choose your favorite spot from the city’s charismatic neighborhoods, but always keep in mind proximity to public transport connections, major roads, and parking. In case you’re expecting out-of-town guests, consider the distance between the venue and any of the Tri-State area’s airports or major transport hubs.  And last but not least, check accommodation options in the area so that your guests can comfortably stay the night if needed.

• Decor. One of the things that make a wedding venue unique is its irreplaceable ambiance. Is there a specific space that you envision for your wedding? If you have a theme for your wedding, it’d be really nice if the venue’s decor matched it. So if you’re thinking of a laid-back party, we suggest you pick one of the industrial spaces around Soho or Tribeca. For a lavish celebration, why not rent an elegant restaurant located on the Upper East Side? Chelsea boasts a bohemian vibe, so it’s the perfect area for an artsy wedding. Simply, you can be sure that NYC has something that will appeal to every taste and style. But if you’d prefer to create something truly unique, you could find a blank canvas venue and decorate it in a way that reflects your personality.

• Food. Another incredibly important part of each wedding celebration? Food! Depending on your vision, you can either go for finger foods or host a sit-down dinner with 4 courses. Whatever your final decision is, don’t forget to ask your guests about food allergies and dietary restrictions. What’s more, not all venues offer in-house catering, so in case your venue of choice doesn’t provide it, hire external caterers that will please every palate.

• Entertainment. Have you already thought about entertainment? Are you going to hire a live band or a DJ? Your choice will determine whether the venue you’ll end up renting has a stage or at least enough space for a DJ to set up. In case you decide to create your own playlist and play it throughout the event, check the venue’s PA system or music speakers, as well as make sure there is some space for people to dance!

FAQs about Unique Wedding Venues in New York City, NY

How far in advance should I book a wedding venue?

We suggest you start your search as soon as possible since New York is a busy city and the venue market gets very competitive. Booking a place at least 9 months to a year before the wedding is the perfect time to ensure you score the space of your dreams.

How much does it cost to rent a unique wedding venue in NYC?

Rental prices in NYC depend on the place and location you choose. You can decide on a place charging per hour with rates varying from $140 to $750 per hour. Plenty of wedding venues around the city work on a minimum spend basis with prices starting at $650 and reaching as high as $15000. Some places offer special per-person packages which start around $45 per person. (Based on data from Tagvenue.)

Where can I find New York City’s top unique wedding venues?

In Manhattan, we suggest you search around Soho, Garment District, and Theater District to find well-known spots as well as plenty of unique hidden gems. If you care about great access to the venue, check out the areas near Penn Station. You should also try your luck in Brooklyn, especially around Williamsburg where you’ll find quirky restaurants as well as outdoor spaces ideal for wedding celebrations. When it comes to Queens, check out Astoria’s selection of venues, where any party will be unforgettable.

What are some of the top unique wedding venues in New York City?

Book a unique wedding venue in New York and be sure that you will amaze all of your guests! If you can’t decide, check out our top picks: 

• Sour Mouse - Do we have any parlor games enthusiasts getting married? If the answer is yes, you can’t miss out on Lowe East Side’s Sour Mouse. 
• Dear Irving Gramercy - Celebrate your nuptials in a space that allows you to time travel from room to room - just a few steps from Union Square.