The Best Wedding Venues in Brooklyn, NY in 2024
Looking for the perfect venue for your wedding? How to pick your venue in Brooklyn based on location, style, and budget
Congratulations! Now that you’re engaged it is probably time to open up the laptop, grab a cup of coffee, and start planning your wedding. Planning a wedding in Brooklyn, NY can be a lot, you literally have endless options to choose from. Most brides and grooms start off by booking a venue because it allows them to have a date. Most wedding vendors require a date to get you on their books. Read on to learn more about how to book a venue, what questions to ask, the best venues in BK, and much more! Cheers 🥂
Kari Bjorn Photography
Hi there! I am Kari Bjorn and I am an Icelandic wedding and engagement photographer. I spent my first six years in the US in NYC and now I am based in Connecticut and always available for weddings in New York City. I studied photography at Parsons School of Design and would say my style is rooted in candid photojournalistic photography with a splash of editorial portraiture. Since 2014, I’ve shot over 150 weddings and hundreds of parties, galas, and other happy gatherings! In addition, I have been lucky to have worked with brands such as Vanity Fair, InStyle, UN Women, and Plug and Play.
Table of contents:
What To Do Before Booking Your Venue
Before booking your wedding venue, you should probably visualize your day from start to finish. This is where sites like Pinterest can be helpful. I know many brides-to-be already have mood boards when they get engaged — but it is super helpful to refresh what truly matters to you and your partner. Hiring a wedding planner at this stage is also not a bad idea. From a photographic standpoint, some venues offer a lot of natural light whereas others are darker and will need additional lighting. Neither is better, it is just a matter of taste. Your venue will dictate how many of your photos will come out, if you gravitate towards a certain style of editing you need to pick a venue that allows for those kinds of photos. If you like light and airy photos, picking a venue with big windows and white walls will make sense, for example.
Estimate Your Budget
A good start is to consider your budget and work from there. I’d ask the owner what the typical spend is in addition to their wedding packages. Take a look at the list of add-ons and consider if they will are necessary. It can be easy to go over budget if the vision is not clear from the start. Once you have your vision and budget, it is time to look at what season you prefer and your ideal dates. Does a crowded dance floor matter a lot to you? Then booking a Saturday is pretty important, for example.
Estimate the size of your guest list
We’ll look at this a little later but having a ballpark estimate of your guest list will help you narrow it down. Generally, you can assume that 15-30% of your first draft guest list will not make it. If you both have a lot of family that will be flying in then that number can be even higher.
Look at the reviews
You should look at the reviews! Not just on Google — anybody can leave a review there. The Knot and Wedding Wire have reviews mostly from previous clients, and they tend to be very honest.
Venue size matters
You don’t want a venue that is too small, obviously! But bigger might not be any better. A venue that is too big can leave you feeling that it is empty on your wedding day — not great, right? Being at around 50-80% capacity will be good, depending on the venue. Another thing you can do is to look at photos from previous weddings the venues have had and ask the owner what the guest count was.
Shape matters too
It is not only size that is important when choosing your wedding venue. Some older and historic places have many rooms and that will ultimately divide your wedding reception up. There’s nothing wrong with that, but you probably shouldn’t choose one like that if you want to keep it intimate and have your guests mingle throughout the day.
Does it have an indoor ceremony option?
Many brides-to-be want to have an outdoor ceremony. If that’s you, it is worth noting that choosing a venue that can accommodate your ceremony inside should it rain heavily on your day is going to keep a lot of stress and anxiety away in the days and weeks before when you will be refreshing the weather app multiple times a day.
How Much Does A Wedding Cost New York and Brooklyn?
The average price of a wedding in New York and Brooklyn in 2023 is rising again after Covid. Brooklyn Winery recently did a pretty decent analysis on average prices for venues and more and it came down to $30,000 to $60,000. I know there is a big difference between these two numbers but that’s the beauty of NYC and Brooklyn — you will have options, no matter what! The Wedding Cost Estimate Calculator is also a great tool to fine-tune your potential costs.
How much does a wedding photographer cost in NYC?
Starting prices for photographers vary greatly based on experience. A new photographer might charge something around $500-$1000 for a full day while seasoned wedding photographers in New York can charge well over $10,000 for a wedding. On average most wedding photographers start between $2500-$5000 for a full-day wedding.
Outdoor Weddings — Which Season Is Best?
Fall and spring are the best seasons for an outdoor wedding in Brooklyn — you can also get some amazing days in summer, especially if you’re willing to move your ceremony closer to sunset. Late April to early June has the mildest weather. In the fall, you can expect equally nice weather from mid to late September into October. If you have your eye on a date that falls within these ranges and you want a Saturday wedding too, get booking! More on that below.
When To Book
This depends mostly on the season and the day of the week you are getting married. A Saturday in spring or fall (prime date is what venues usually call them) will get booked faster than a weekday in January. If you want a wedding on what will be a prime date, then I’d recommend 18-24 months out, just to be sure. Most couples with popular wedding dates book me for photos 15-18 months out. The more popular your desired venue is, the earlier you should reach out. Some venues actually have open calendars on their websites for you to see which dates are still left. Generally speaking, earlier is better when it comes to booking your venue.
Here’s a side note. Book the vendors first that are ‘one event per day’ — like a photographer or videographer. Those vendors book up faster whereas a florist or a bakery can take on many weddings in a day.
What To Do And Which Questions To Ask During A Venue Visit
Once you have your list of venues down to a few favorites, it is time to schedule a few visits. Before you do that, look out for open house events, many venues host them in winter when it is slower and will advertise before. During open houses, you can walk around, ask questions, and get a feel for the vendors that frequently work at the venue or are on the preferred vendor list. Talk to the owner/manager and get a feel for them, are they invested in your vision? Do they ask questions about what you are planning? Or are they not really that interested? You should pretty much do the same if you schedule a private visit.
Here are a few questions to ask
What is the average spend?
What is included in the price and what is not?
Do you allow outside vendors or must we use preferred or in-house vendors?
Do you require insurance?
When can we start setting up?
When can we have a rehearsal?
Do you allow engagement or bridal photos on the property before our wedding?
Hopefully, you should have a venue that matches your vision, has your day available, is the right size, and has people eager to help you have your best wedding day.
The Best Wedding Venues In Brooklyn
Capacity includes all open spaces unless specifically mentioned. I estimated the starting price based on a 50 guest rental with a beverage package.
26 Bridge
Location: 26 Bridge Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (718) 310-3040
Style: Loft, Contemporary
Capacity: 240
Estimated starting price: $9,500
Highlights
Bridal Suite
Groom's Room
Tables and chairs
Venue set up and clean up
Day-of coordinator
Prep kitchen
Weylin
Address: 175 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: (718) 963-3639
Style: Historic, Luxury
Capacity: 375
Estimated starting price: $14,000
Highlights
Custom Collections
Catering
6-hour all-inclusive reception rental
Coordinator
Bar packages
110 Foot ceiling
Metropolitan Ballroom
Address: 2555 Shell Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11223
Phone: (718) 368-0303
Style: Classic, Ballroom
Capacity: 900 (across three rooms)
Estimated starting price: $14,500
Highlights
Two kitchens (one kosher)
Dedicated event team on-site
Classic ballroom decor
Caters to many types of weddings
Wedding portraits in Coney Island or the Aquarium possible
Dobbin St
Address: 64 Dobbin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Phone: (718) 302-0400
Style: Industrial, Rooftop, Garden
Capacity: 200
Estimated starting price: $11,000
Highlights
Rooftop ceremony area
Sustainable bar package
Client suite for getting ready
Hidden garden area
Minimal design throughout
Williamsburg & Greenpoint
501 Union
Address: 501 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: (347) 529-6486
Style: Industrial, Historic
Capacity: 160 seated, 250 standing
Estimated starting price: $12,000
Highlights
Three spaces (a covered atrium, a cocktail lounge, and a reception hall)
Skylight provides natural light
Preferred catering list available, outside catering allowed
In-house bar services
Black and warm tones throughout the venue
Shell's Loft
Address: 120 Hamilton Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Style: Natural light, Loft,
Capacity: 120 seated, 200 standing
Estimated starting price: $14,000
Highlights
Exposed brick + Vaulted ceilings
Skylight and glass doors provide natural light
Seamless indoor/outdoor spaces
Personal service from the owner
Princess Manor
Address: 92 Nassau Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Phone: (718) 389-6965
Style: Ballroom
Capacity: 275
Estimated starting price: $9,000
Highlights
Custom packages
In-house planner
Elaborate lighting setup
Maison May
Address: 246 DeKalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205
Phone: (718) 789-2778
Style: Brownstone, Intimate
Capacity: 75
Estimated starting price: $10,500
Highlights
Intimate gathering space
In-house catering with farm-to-table philosophies
Guidance throughout the planning process
Garden, Stoop, Living room
The Liberty Warehouse
Address: 260 Conover St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: (347) 987-3121
Style: Riverview, Industrial
Capacity: 400
Estimated starting price: $15,000
Highlights
Views, views, views. Over NY Harbor and The Statue of Liberty
White brick and original wood interiors
Two large event rooms and smaller rooms are available
Bridal suite on site
The River Café
Address: One Water Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (718) 522-5200
Style: Riverview, Garden, Fine Dining
Capacity: 100
Estimated starting price: $19,000
Highlights
Michelin-starred cuisine
Views over NY Harbor and Manhattan skyline
Glass-enclosed pavilion
4-course tasting menus
Carroll Hall
Address: 2 Vandervoort Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11237
Phone: (347) 201-1479
Style: Garden, Warehouse
Capacity: 100 in the garden, 65 in the warehouse
Estimated starting price: $13,500
Highlights
Beautiful and cohesive design throughout the spaces
Warm tones and high ceilings
A secret treehouse
The lounge or treehouse can double as a getting-ready space
74Wythe
Address: 74 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Phone: (718) 838-9569
Style: Rooftop, Art Deco
Capacity: 170 seated, 400 standing
Estimated starting price: $16,500
Highlights
Rooftop ceremony space with Manhattan skyline views (usable year-round)
On-site coordinator
“The Suite” available for getting ready and wedding party photos
Stylish lounge furniture
Brooklyn Winery
Address: 61 Guernsey St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Phone: (347) 763-1506
Style: Winery, Industrial
Capacity: 175
Estimated starting price: $14,000
Highlights
New location! Between Williamsburg & Greenpoint
In-house event manager
A wedding suite is available for you to get ready and prepare in
All couples receive a discount for life after their wedding
MyMoon
Address: 184 N 10th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: (718) 599-7007
Style: Restaurant, Spanish Cuisine, Outdoor ceremony
Capacity: 160
Estimated starting price: $12,000
Highlights
Heated outdoor ceremony deck
Incredible Spanish cuisine
Couple’s suite on-site
Day-of coordinator is included in your rental
Prospect Park Picnic House
Address: 40 West Dr, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Phone: (718) 965-6961
Style: Park, Hall
Capacity: 175
Estimated starting price: $9,500
Highlights
Prospect Park (of course!)
Outdoor ceremony space and indoor reception
Endless wedding portrait options
Reasonably affordable in a great location.
Wedding Photography Pricing And Packages
My wedding packages start at $3800 and include digital and film photography, GIFs, prints, and albums. Get in touch to tell me everything about what you are planning and how I can help you make it the best day!