Our Favorite Wedding Venues in Lower Manhattan

As destination wedding planners, we’ve helped couples get married from coast to coast and around the world. While there are so many incredible destinations, Lower Manhattan is one of our favorites! This slice of the city is chock-full of gorgeous venues that give you that historic, old-school NYC feeling. So, whether you and your partner are locals or have always dreamed of saying “I do” in the Big Apple, we guarantee you’ll find a place that speaks to your unique vision.

Without further ado, our curated selection of wedding venues in Lower Manhattan!

Best Wedding Venues in Lower Manhattan

Rainbow Room

Bask in Art Deco elegance at the Rainbow Room, housed inside one of NYC’s most-visited attractions: Rockefeller Center! Since opening its doors in 1934, the venue has played host to celebrities, presidents, and dignitaries. Moreover, Architectural Digest listed it among America’s 20 most beautiful wedding venues, citing its “unparalleled views of the city skyline” and rotating dance floor among its most notable features. The space seats up to 300 people for a ceremony and can accommodate up to 500 for a reception.

The Glasshouse NYC

The 75,000-square-foot Glasshouse is an ultra-modern and elegant event space that can accommodate up to 1,850 guests. The indoor event rooms are the highlight, with floor-to-ceiling windows to admit plentiful natural light and views of the Hudson River and NYC skyline. Meanwhile, the two outdoor terraces are perfect for photography. Another incredible feature? The Glasshouse features a custom retracting partition system you can use to create different layouts and optimize guest flow. It’s unlike anything we’ve seen at any other venue!

New York Public Library

What could be more quintessential NYC than the iconic flagship branch of the New York Public Library, also known as the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building? Nestled in the heart of Midtown, this venue’s historic architecture is simply stunning. Even better? Your event fees go to a good cause: every cent supports the upkeep of the library’s vast collection of books and programs serving the community. 

Weddings at the library can accommodate up to 275 people. Since it’s not a dedicated event venue, expect to provide all the rentals you require, including tables, chairs, and flatware. However, it’s not just décor you must transport on-site, but a kitchen for your caterer! As your planner, we can help you navigate these logistics. Finally, note that events at the library can’t begin until 6 P.M. or later (after the building closes to the public).

Gotham Hall

NYC’s iconic Gotham Hall is housed in a former bank constructed between 1922 and 1924. A large mezzanine offers views of the 9,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom with a towering ceiling and stained-glass skylight. With dramatic crystal chandeliers and marble floors to add to the interior features, the space will wow your guests when they walk inside! And you’re sure to feel like royalty dancing the night away in a space used for everything from concerts to film production to New York Fashion Week.

Cipriani 42nd Street

This Byzantine-inspired space is simply awe-inspiring. Towering marble columns, Venetian glass, 65-foot vaulted ceilings, archways, inlaid floors, and elegant chandeliers—it’s all here! At 12,000 square feet, it’s the perfect venue for a large wedding of up to 850 guests (they do have a preferred minimum guest count of 200 for those anticipating a smaller event). Of course, being under the Cipriani umbrella, the food is impeccable. Plus, the venue sits across from Grand Central Terminal, so there’s no shortage of gorgeous backdrops for your photos. 

620 Loft & Garden

Like the Rainbow Room, 620 Loft & Garden is located inside Rockefeller Center but has an airier, more modern feel. Think white walls, contemporary lighting and furnishings, and plenty of windows to let the light in. The rooftop garden terrace overlooks St. Patrick’s Cathedral and many other recognizable landmarks of New York’s cityscape, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Radio City Music Hall, and Rockefeller Plaza. The venue can accommodate up to 120 seated guests inside the loft, while the terrace is a more intimate space, able to accommodate up to 60 seated guests.

Current at Pier 59

Tucked into the Flatiron District, this waterfront wedding venue boasts over 6,000 square feet of event space and views of the Hudson River and Chelsea Piers Marina. It has a distinctly modern feel, with a 16-foot custom-lit ceiling, floor-to-ceiling windows, wood floors, and an 800-square-foot balcony.

We loved planning Lexi and Sheen’s wedding at Current! Their ceremony took place inside Grace Church, which was designed by the same creative minds behind St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The best part? You don’t have to be a member of the church to get married there, so it’s an ideal venue for destination couples. It felt just like old-school New York, and the reception at Current was the perfect follow-up, showcasing views of the city’s iconic waterfront. 

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

For those desiring a church wedding in NYC, there’s no question that St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the ultimate venue. A staple of any visit to Midtown, the church is well-known for its Gothic Revival-style architecture, ornate stained glass windows, and bronze doors. In fact, it’s the largest Gothic Revival cathedral in all of North America! Several famed designers and artists had a hand in designing the church’s altars, including Tiffany & Co. and Paolo Medici.

Note that to get married at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, you should request a date at least one year in advance. Some even recommend booking two years in advance due to the high demand to get married in the cathedral.

Finding Your NYC Wedding Venue

Whether you’re just starting your planning journey or waiting for your partner to pop the question, we know how overwhelming it can feel to research wedding venues. If you feel drawn to one of these wedding venues in Lower Manhattan (or a completely different destination!), our team would love to hear from you. With our combined 30+ years of experience and industry connections, we’ll ensure this process is fun and worry-free, just the way it was always intended to be. Let’s get started!