10 Edgy New York City Wedding Venues
Looking for the top 10 edgy wedding venues in New York City? You’re in the right place! I’m Nathalie, an NYC wedding and elopement photographer serving unique and eclectic couples like you. I’ve compiled a list of the most trendy and chic wedding venues in the city that will get you one step closer to hosting the wedding of your dreams.
1. 501 Union
501 Union is first on our list of the top 10 edgy New York City wedding venues! This space is located in Brooklyn, once serving as a classic car restoration shop dating all the way back to 1916. In 2013, it was transformed into the event venue we see today and is home to Brooklyn's most stylish weddings. Are you ready for yours to be next?
There are three main components of 501 Union - The Lounge, The Atrium, and The Space. The Space is where you would host your ceremony of up to 250 people surrounded by lofted ceilings, exposed brick, and sophisticated chandeliers. The custom-built 50-foot skylight and 15-foot Carrara marble top bar add to the modern & high-end ambiance, sure to wow both you and your guests!
If you’d prefer to have a more earthy setting for your ceremony, you can move the party to The Atrium. This space is a 1400-square-foot covered atrium with seasonal plants sprinkled throughout and walls of glass that open to Union Street! Keep in mind that this area has a slightly lower guest count limit of 144 people.
Last, but not least, The Lounge is designed to host your cocktail hour with the same ambiance as The Space. The hardwood floors, white tin ceiling, and marble bar give off a moody and romantic vibe to set the tone for the rest of your NYC wedding day.
2. The Green Building
Located not too far from 501 Union, The Green Building is a historic wedding venue in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn. It featured a unique blend of industrial chic and vintage charm, perfect for couples looking for a little something different! There is a total of 6,000 feet of combined indoor and outdoor space, with renovations highlighting the original exposed brick walls, natural light, and open-beamed ceiling.
There are three main spaces here at The Green Building - the Main Room, The Courtyard, and the Private Lounge. The Main Room would be where your ceremony and/or reception could be held, with 4,000 square feet of open space and floor-to-ceiling glass doors. The doors conveniently lead right into The Courtyard, where you can either use it as additional reception space or host your outdoor ceremony. The capacity limit for a sit-down dinner (with room for a dance floor) is 160 guests!
The last space, the Private Lounge, can be utilized as a getting-ready space or additional room for your guests. Some couples even choose to use it as a quiet place to sneak away during their reception to catch a breather!
3. Sound River Studios
Sound River Studios is a modern and spacious waterfront wedding venue located in Long Island City, just across the East River from Manhattan. This venue is a lege, gallery-style space with beautiful white walls, large windows, and skylights, providing a totally blank slate for you to transform. You can keep things nice and minimal here, or you can go all out with your colors, florals, and decor! You can fit approximately 250-275 guests for a wedding, including ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception onsite.
There is also a 1300-foot outdoor dockside terrace on the East River that you can absolutely utilize for an outdoor ceremony or reception! The views of the NYC skyline are unbeatable here, making Sound River Studios one of the most epic wedding venues in the city.
4. The Castle by Marlow Events
If you’re looking for a more intimate wedding venue in NYC, I highly recommend checking out The Castle! This venue is owned and operated by Marlow Events, a full-service catering & hospitality group that includes some of New York’s best restaurants. They focus on sourcing seasonal, local, and organic ingredients and creating unique and lasting partnerships with their farmers.
Their event space, The Castle, is located in Red Hook and is fit for intimate weddings of up to 80 guests. There is a plethora of plans and hanging greenery that give a very nature-inspired vibe to the venue, which you can utilize as your decor or remove if you’re going for a different look! Either way, this venue will feel reminiscent of a classic yet modern dinner party with your closest family and friends.
5. Brooklyn Winery
Who doesn’t love the idea of a winery wedding in Brooklyn? Winery weddings offer such a distinct ambiance that’s hard to find at any other type of venue. Brooklyn Winery just recently opened the doors to its brand new location at the inter Williamsburg and Greenpoint, providing even more space and hospitality than before. This modern, industrial space features chic accents and lush backdrops (including their signature living plant wall) that eclectic couples are sure to fall in love with. Not to mention, when you book your wedding here, you get exclusive winery discounts for life. Sounds like a no-brainer to me!
6. The Foundry
The Foundry is a 19th-century building that has been meticulously restored and turned into the stunning New York City wedding venue we see today! The interior has over 3000 square feet of space, giving plenty of room to host the wedding of your dreams. The interior features exposed brick walls, polished concrete floors, and a mezzanine level to spice things up! One of the highlights of this venue, though, is the rooftop terrace with epic views of the Manhattan skyline. You can take your guests up there for an intimate dinner under the stars, or have a sunset cocktail hour that will take everyone’s breath away. For all of my plant lovers, you can also rent out The Greenhouse for your ceremony and/or reception for a natural and lush setting. You truly can’t go wrong with this venue!
7. The Box House Hotel
One of the main benefits of getting married at a hotel is the convenience for any out-of-town guests that may be attending. The Box House Hotel offers its rooftop and penthouse as event spaces, depending on what vibe you’re going for. The Top of the Box (rooftop) is fully retractable, featuring 10,000 square feet of space and a guest count limit of 293 people. You also get unobstructed panoramic views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island City!
If you’re looking for something a little more lowkey and intimate, the Penthouse would be the way to go. Located directly beneath the rooftop, the Penthouse is 2,500 square feet with a full kitchen & bar, 3 wrap-around balconies, and of course, city views. This space would be best for couples wanting to host an intimate dinner party with their family and friends!
And if you’re wondering where to host the afterparty, I love where your head's at. The Brooklyn Lantern is The Box House Hotel’s refined and vibrant full-service restaurant and bar where you can party as long as you’d like!
8. Tribeca Rooftop
For couples planning a more lavish event, the Tribeca Rooftop is a venue I definitely recommend checking out. This chic-industrial space offers 14,000 square feet of dedicated rooftop terrace to utilize for whatever you’d like - your ceremony, cocktail hour, or reception. When you’re ready to take the party inside, you have 15,000 square feet of indoor space to customize to your heart’s content! The glass-enclosed atrium is one of the most unique features of this venue, giving quite an expansive feel to your indoor wedding.
9. Ravel Hotel
This luxury boutique hotel in Long Island City offers a unique and stylish setting for your NYC wedding. The hotel features countless modern and elegant event spaces (you can check them all out here!) including a rooftop lounge with breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline and Queensboro Bridge. With its sleek design, outdoor pool, and high-end accommodations, both you and your guests will be more than happy with this chic and trendy wedding venue.
10. Wythe Hotel
Last on our list of edgy New York City wedding venues is the Wythe Hotel! Located in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, Wythe is housed in a converted 1901 factory building, combining industrial elements with contemporary design. It offers 7 versatile spaces (check them out here!) for your big day, including a Main Hall, a garden terrace, a penthouse loft, a speakeasy bar, and more. Whether you’re eloping with 10 people or getting married surrounded by 0ver 200, Wythe has options for you! And if you’re wondering about the accommodations, this hotel was featured in Vogue’s “Best Hotels in New York City” in 2022. Couples who are prioritizing having a stylish, fashionable wedding should definitely check out this trendy boutique hotel!
Ready to get married at one of New York City’s edgiest wedding venues?
I would love to hear from you and learn all about the vision for your NYC wedding. To get in touch, you can inquire via the contact form and I’ll get back to you within 3 business days! In the meantime, connect with me on Instagram where I share even more of my work.