Weddings Winter 2017 > Planner

MUSEUMS & PUBLIC VENUES

American Museum of Natural History

Central Park W., at 79th St.; 212-769-5350; amnh.org

For many, holding a wedding at this beloved museum is a childhood dream come true. The 5,000-square-foot Powerhouse accommodates 315 guests for a seated dinner and features French doors that open onto the Arthur Ross Terrace, offering dramatic views of the Rose Center for Earth and Space. Pre-event receptions can also be held in the glass-walled North Galleria. Restaurant Associates provides catering; prices upon request.

Asia Society and Museum

725 Park Ave., at 70th St.; 212-327-9322; asiasociety.org/new-york

Patrons can rent one of two spaces here: the glass-enclosed Garden Court Atrium, with its lush, living plants, or the eighth-floor penthouse, which offers sweeping city views. The Penthouse can accommodate 150 guests with dinner and dancing; the Garden Court atrium can hold 200 for a cocktail reception. From $12,000 for one space or $17,000 for both.

Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum

895 Shore Rd., nr. Orchard Beach Rd., Pelham Bay Park, the Bronx; 718-885-1461; bpmm.org

Nestled in the heart of Pelham Bay Park, this 19th�-century Greek Revival stone mansion provides a stunning backdrop for weddings. The museum’s large formal garden (the site’s main venue option) remains open year-round. Couples planning winter weddings are responsible for arranging a heat source. Rental fees begin at $3,500, plus a membership, for a maximum of 125 guests. (good value)

Bronx Zoo

2300 Southern Blvd., at 182nd St., the Bronx; 718-741-3836; nyzoosandaquariumevents.com

Start with a ceremony in Astor Court’s expansive gardens. Then sit down with 200 of your closest friends and family members in the recently renovated Schiff Family Great Hall. The hall shares a building with the Madagascar exhibit, so there’s always the option of hosting a cocktail reception within spitting distance of lemurs and 15-foot crocodiles. Site fee is $5,000 and exclusive in-house catering runs from $122 to $165 per person. Proceeds benefit the Wildlife Conservation Society. (ecofriendly)

Brooklyn Historical Society

128 Pierrepont St., at Clinton St., Brooklyn Heights; 718-222-4111; brooklynhistory.org

During the cocktail hour, guests can peruse museum exhibits and take custom tours in the 135-year-old building. The great hall is a raw space with high, wooden ceilings (seats 150), while Othmer Library is lined in hand-carved bookshelves and decorated pillars (seats 110). Packages start at $2,650, and include a year-long membership.c

Brooklyn Museum

200 Eastern Pkwy., at Washington Ave., Prospect Heights; 718-638-5000; brooklynmuseum.org

One of the largest art museums in the country, the Brooklyn Museum provides a majestic backdrop for a wedding. The Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Pavilion, overlooking the welcoming plaza, features a dramatic sheer-glass atrium, and can accommodate up to 400 guests for the ceremony. The beautiful Beaux-Arts Court boasts historic archways and accommodates up to 660 for cocktails or seated dinner. Great Performances is the exclusive caterer. Rental fees from $25,000.

Carnegie Hall

881 Seventh Ave., nr. 57th St.; 212-903-9647; carnegiehall.com

Following a massive renovation, this famed concert hall now offers a choice of private event spaces: The Weill Music Room, which seats 200, features soaring ceilings and parquet floors, while the more intimate Rohatyn Room honors past concerts that have taken place here with black-and-white commemorative posters. A new roof terrace, ideal for cocktail receptions, overlooks Central Park. Catering is in-house, through STARR Events. Prices upon request.

Center for Architecture

536 LaGuardia Place, nr. Bleecker St.; 212-358-6112; aiany.org/rental

Design and architecture enthusiasts can now tie the knot in this three-floor, 15,000-square-foot venue. The main event space, Tafel Hall, boasts high ceilings, a mezzanine, and tons of natural light; smaller gallery spaces are also available for cocktail receptions. The venue accommodates up to 130 guests for a seated dinner or 100 guests for dinner and dancing. Space rental starts at $3,500. (good value)

Central Park Zoo

Fifth Ave., at 64th St.; 718-741-3836; nyzoosandaquariumevents.com

Couples wishing to rent out this iconic landmark (from $30,000) can host cocktail receptions for up to 1,500 people in the sea-lion pool or hold sit-down dinners in the Central Garden during the warm months. To play up the animal angle, couples can book live sea-lion demonstrations and guided tours for an additional cost. Proceeds benefit the Wildlife Conservation Society. (ecofriendly)

Columbia University Faculty House

64 Morningside Dr., nr. 116th St.; 212-854-1200; facultyhouse.columbia.edu

Dating from 1923, this building contains 38,000 square feet of event space, and is popular with couples getting married at nearby St. Paul’s Chapel and St. John the Divine. Bookable areas include the Presidential Ballroom, which accommodates up to 250 guests for dinner and dancing, and the Skyline Level, which holds 150 and offers vaulted ceilings, arched windows, and an outdoor terrace. Wedding packages start at $185 per guest. (good value)

Harold Pratt House & Peterson Hall

58 E. 68th St., at Park Ave.; 212-434-9576; pratthouse.com

This turn-of-the-century mansion features a marble staircase connecting the ballroom to a number of smaller spaces, from the library, complete with fireplace and wraparound balcony, to the dainty drawing room and sitting room. The rooms can hold up to 130 for a seated dinner. Prices start at $7,000. (good value)

The House of the Redeemer

7 E. 95th St., nr. Fifth Ave.; 212-289-0399; houseoftheredeemer.org

This Italian-style palazzo features a 16th-century wood-paneled library, which was imported from Europe by Cornelius Vanderbilt’s great-granddaughter during World War I. The first floor of the landmark house is available for a 100-person sit-down dinner; the second floor can hold up to 125 for cocktails. Rental fees from $800 to $5,000; in-house catering, by Bread & Circus, is preferred, but outside catering is allowed with an extra fee. (good value)

Merchant's House Museum

29 E. 4th St., nr. Bowery; 212-777-1089; merchantshouse.org

This immaculately preserved 19th-century brick-and-marble row house is a stunner. Its features include a granite-tiled garden filled with lush plants and cast-iron furniture. The ground-floor dining room, period kitchen, and Greek Revival parlors can accommodate up to 40 people for a seated dinner. All rooms are decorated with their original furniture. Prices start at $350 per person for a ceremony and seated dinner.

Museum of the City of New York

1220 Fifth Ave., at 103rd St.; 917-492-3327; mcny.org

The walls of this museum’s galleries are fortified by dramatic Greek columns, and arched hallways connect the various rooms where current exhibitions are installed. Ceremonies can be held at the Rotunda, which features a grand spiral staircase, award-winning light sculpture, and two outdoor terraces. The entire museum (including two outdoor terraces) is available for rent. Prices upon request.

New Museum

235 Bowery, nr. Prince St.; 212-219-1222; newmuseum.org

This contemporary-art hub has three event spaces. The popular, all-white Sky Room seats 110 for dinner and 200 for cocktails, and guests love mingling on its wraparound terrace. The lobby-level Marcia Tucker Hall holds up to 350 for cocktails; the theater seats 90 for dinner. Catering is by Bite and Poppy’s Catering. Space rental ranges from $3,500 to $11,500, plus an individual donation of $5,000.

New York Hall of Science

47-01 111th St., Corona; 718-699-0005, ext. 371; nysci.org

With more than 450 interactive exhibits, this activity-packed space will entertain even the most jaded guests. Couples can have their ceremony and reception with up to 350 guests in the colorful, high-ceilinged Viscusi Gallery. The exhibition halls can host cocktail parties for as many as 1,000. Space rental starts at $10,000. There are no restrictions on caterers, florists, or other vendors.

The New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Fifth Ave., at 42nd St.; 212-930-0730; nypl.org/spacerental

For grandeur and sweeping drama, this cultural landmark is virtually unbeatable. Its recognizable front steps set the scene for a dramatic entrance. Inside, couples have a number of impressive spaces to choose from: the Celeste Bartos Forum, Astor Hall, and the McGraw Rotunda, among others. Prices upon request.

Old Stone House & Washington Park

336 3rd St., nr. Fifth Ave., Park Slope 718-768-3195; theoldstonehouse.org

Built in 1699 as a farm for the Vechte family, this venue has a long New York history. It was rebuilt in 1934 in the Dutch Colonial style, and nowadays the house boasts a homey second-floor great room that is ideal for weddings. The Old Stone House holds 110 for a cocktail reception or 60 for a seated dinner, and tents can be rented to provide enough space for 175 guests. The site fee is $1,000, plus $100 per hour. Couples may bring in their own vendors, though certain restrictions apply.

The Prince George Ballroom

15 E. 27th St., nr. Madison Ave.; 212-471-0882; princegeorgeballroom.org

Originally built in 1904, the Prince George was one of the city’s grand hotels; this magnificent ballroom (once the lobby) is designed in a Beaux-Arts style with Renaissance-style murals and a fireplace set on an oak floor. The venue was refurbished eleven years ago for the nonprofit Common Ground, and net proceeds from any event booked here will go toward addressing homelessness in New York. The ballroom itself can accommodate up to 300 guests for dinner, but couples can also make use of smaller spaces such as the Ladies’ Tea Room for the ceremony. Prices upon request.

The Rainbow Room

30 Rockefeller Plz., nr. 49th St., 65th fl.; 212-632-5000; rainbowroom.com

This historic gem at Rockefeller Center reopened in 2014 after a massive renovation. Signature design elements have been spectacularly preserved, from the gold-leaf domed ceiling and revolving dance floor to the crystal wall sconces and gleaming brass railings. The space can accommodate up to 300 guests, from $400 per person.

Roosevelt House at Hunter College

47�49 E. 65th St., nr. Park Ave. 212-650-3174; roosevelthouse.hunter.cuny.edu

Once a home of FDR and his wife, Eleanor, this historic house features hardwood floors and decorative fireplaces. It can accommodate up to 125 for cocktails. Prices upon request; vendors must be approved by the venue.

Roulette

509 Atlantic Ave., at Third Ave., Boerum Hill; 917-267-0370; roulette.org

Spotlight-loving couples have the option of getting married onstage at Roulette’s theater, usually reserved for experimental-music events. The space holds 250 for cocktails and 150 for a sit-down dinner with dancing. Site fees start at $6,500; couples need to supply their own vendors.

Ukrainian Institute of America

2 E. 79th St., at Fifth Ave. 212-288-4098; ukrainianinstitute.org

This opulent mansion’s concert hall features ornate arched windows that overlook Central Park. Another room is dedicated to the house’s original crystal chandelier, under which couples can have their first dance. The venue holds up to 400 for a cocktail party and 200 for dinner with dancing. Prices upon request.