Wedding Reception Venues for Rent in New York City, NY

Wedding Reception Venues Rental Guide

The number of wedding reception venues in New York City is absolutely staggering. How are you supposed to find the best one for you? You might start by searching for “wedding reception venues NYC” on Google, but then you're drowning in a sea of options. Luckily, here at Tagvenue we make planning your big day that much easier. When it comes to booking reception venues in NYC, finding one place that can accommodate both ceremony and reception spaces can be challenging. Factor in things like lighting, sound and floral arrangements, and the decision-making process can get really tough really fast. But fear not, whatever your budget is, and whatever venue you dream of, we have you covered. And whether you're getting married in a month or in 18 months, you surely should start planning asap. Luckily, you've come to the right place. Keep scrolling for some fabulous venue renting advice!

Rental guide: Wedding reception venues NYC

There are a couple of steps you might want to think about when preparing to rent a venue and organizing the whole wedding reception.

Step one: Decide on a budget

Before you do anything else, make sure you get the money talk over and done with. Budgeting is probably the most stressful part of the rental process since it’s extremely hard to choose what money should be spent where. You might have to sacrifice one aspect of the wedding in order to splurge on a different one, but remember that it’s OK! Make sure you meet each other halfway with money-making decisions. Consider for example a BYOB option when booking a venue - bringing your own alcohol could be a fab way to save some money, which in turn could be spent  on something more important, like the location or decorations. Just remember to talk to the manager about any corkage fees, and if this option is possible in the first place.

Step two: Choose the location

Check out our list of gorgeous venues and pick the location that’s perfect for your special day. Make sure to take into consideration things like the neighborhood  (and if you’ll have an easy time of traveling to the venue), keep in mind the venue size and if necessary which floor it’s on, as well as whether it has any special amenities which you might need for this day. 

Step three: Prepare the guest list

It’s time to think about who you want to come to the big event. Are you preparing for a huge celebration with all of your extended family, friends and additional special guests? Or is the plan to keep the party small and intimate, maybe even split from the ceremony if you wish to really keep the celebrations among your closest circle? We have venue options for both, so make sure to filter out the venue sizes before scrolling through the huge list of locations.

Step four: Think about the theme

A theme is what’s going to bring together all the other aspects of the wedding. Once you choose what direction you’re going for, you can cater around this idea with other wedding details. If you’re thinking about having a very fancy and elegant wedding, you could go for some European cuisine. If your party ends up on a boat, you could opt for some seafood and decorations with a nautical flair. However it turns out, at the very end, you can be sure that the photos will end up looking perfect.

Step five: Make a decision about food and drinks

Once you know what theme you want, it's time to start thinking about what kind of food and drinks you want at your reception. Do you want something traditional or something more adventurous? A sit-down dinner or a buffet? Are you opting for a BYOB option, or would you actually like to have a bartender who will make you signature cocktails for the evening. Are you bringing cake from a local bakery, or will you be asking the chef of the restaurant if they will fix up something special instead?

Step six: Pick a DJ or a live band

It’s nice to have someone take care of the music, and the most popular option these days is to choose either a good DJ or a live band which will play your favorite music. New York City comes with a lot of musical talent, and you’ll be sure to find someone through different platforms, social media or websites like this one. If you want, you can prepare a list of staple music pieces which the band or DJ has to play, and other than that leave the repertoire to the professional and worry about other details for now. 

Step seven: Pick out the decorations

Here comes the fun part: look for an amazing florist or a wedding planner who will help turn your vision into reality. They are sure to bring a beautiful vision to life, and give you so much inspiration you’ll be sure the photos turn out perfect. And of course if you're more of a DIY person, then hunt through Pinterest and other wedding websites to choose the perfect decorations that will match your theme, dress and maybe even the food. 

FAQs about Wedding Reception Venues in New York City, NY

What’s the price for wedding reception venues in New York City?

With wedding venues coming in all shapes and sizes, you can expect different prices according to the offer of the venue. Some locales will offer food, and others will expect you to bring external catering. However, on average you can expect to pay around $100 per person, or a minimum spend of around $5000 per evening. (All data from Tagvenue.com)

What types of wedding reception venues are most popular in New York City?

In NYC, you can expect to find a lot of dining rooms that are perfect for big weddings of 100 guests and more. For a wedding reception, one of the most popular options is renting an entire venue, which may include an outdoor space in the offer, as well as an indoor one. And of course, we couldn’t exclude options which offer a view of the NYC skyline, or at least a view of New York City from above. Those venues make an evening party a truly unforgettable experience.

Can I have a small wedding reception in New York City?

New York City offers venues in small sizes, and you’re bound to find the perfect intimate venue for your wedding party. If you’re a fan of striking spaces taken straight out of the movies, then you’re bound to love The Hawthorne Room + Terrace at The Raines Law Room at The William. This mysterious, yet comfy looking space is perfect for up to 40 seated guests, making it the perfect small wedding reception venue. An outdoor terrace adjoining the main dining room offers  a perfect space to grab a breath of fresh air during dinner. Make sure to check it out!

Can I rent a unique wedding reception venue in New York City?

Our list of unique wedding venues is an extensive one, so make sure to scroll through it, but for now we can recommend you check out Cornucopia Destiny or Cornucopia Majesty. These stunning ships are certainly not a venue you’d consider mundane! With its striking views of NYC, beautiful decor, and enough space for up to 1200 guests, each of these ships are sure to impress both you and your guests! The Destiny offers the finest catering and beverage options which you really shouldn’t miss. From $5,000 per session, it really is a fantastic deal. And if you'd like to bring your own catering, the Majesty will be a great option!