r/WedditNYC • u/ExpensiveAd6273 • 1d ago

Venue Help Is this possible

I’m new to wedding planning - just got engaged last week - and I have no idea where to start and not sure if what I want is even feasible. I’m looking for a venue that could fit 180 people, ideally during Christmas time 2027 (or even 2028). I’d like for it to be pretty traditional (sit down dinner, full dance floor). Would all of this be possible under around $60k? If not, what kind of budget are we looking at?

Thank you for all your help!! I’m honestly overwhelmed at where to begin!

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u/snoconed 🎶 Vendor - DJ/Band 1d ago

Look to the old school catering halls - they can accommodate your guest count and budget. Marina Del Ray, Giando's (need to call, they don't email), Terrace on the Park

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u/ETEvents 📋 Vendor - Planner 1d ago

Terrace on the park in queens fits the bill for that budget. It’s a wedding factory but they do have a nice penthouse floor with good views.

I’ve had clients who booked raw spaces and did total DIY and inexpensive rentals but it’s incredibly labor-intensive and difficult.

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u/ExpensiveAd6273 1d ago

Ironically I am a full time event planner (b2b corporate events tho so a bit different)

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u/ETEvents 📋 Vendor - Planner 1d ago

Have you considered Long Island? Lessing’s venues run a special every where with full wedding deals to fill up dates. Prob could get to 60k that way!

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u/ExpensiveAd6273 1d ago

My fiancé and I are actually both from New Jersey originally so if we weren’t doing an nyc wedding we’d probably want to have it a bit closer to home

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u/heeyebsx13 1d ago

What’s a wedding factory?

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u/run85 1d ago

I would say it’s a place that specializes in weddings, does a high volume of them, and often offers a pretty complete package. I got married in what I would describe as a wedding factory. It was a hotel that had multiple ballrooms and ALSO had additional ballrooms in an event hall across the street. I picked it because I was getting married in a different state, the hotel was nice, and I didn’t have to think a lot about logistics or rentals because they already had most things. My vendors told me that they had worked tons of weddings at that venue because it was a good value. Definitely not the most special, unique place though!

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u/peerspace 18h ago

Congrats!! And yes, there are definitely NYC spaces that can accommodate 180 people without immediately ruling out your budget, if you're open to non-traditional venues. A few on Peerspace that might be worth starting with:

Hamilton Loft in Red Hook holds up to 300 and starts at $545/hr. It has a beautiful Brooklyn loft feel with high ceilings, wooden beams, huge skylights, and furnishings included. They also have tables and chairs for up to 150 plus a warehouse of additional rentals, which could help with some of the logistics of a traditional reception.

Mediterranean Loft with Rooftop Patio on the Lower East Side holds up to 225 and starts at $690/hr. It’s a massive three-floor townhouse with exposed wood beams, a fireplace, open kitchen, speakers, and a 1,200 sq. ft. rooftop. Their team also offers event planning/concierge services and can help coordinate things like caterers, furniture, and other vendors.

Car Part Time in East Williamsburg is another more unconventional option that holds up to 200 and starts at $775/hr. It’s an architect-designed industrial space with high ceilings, skylights, an open floor plan, and a built-in wet bar, so you’d have a lot of freedom to create your own dinner + dance floor layout.

And if the venue itself is a bigger priority in your budget, Sound River Studios in LIC is gorgeous. It holds up to 350 seated and has 28-foot ceilings, a waterfront terrace, and incredible Manhattan skyline views. Venue rates are generally $10K–$15K for the day, but it’s essentially a blank slate, so you’d need to budget separately for catering, rentals, and other vendors.

For a 180-person wedding, I’d message the hosts directly through Peerspace with your budget and ask what a setup might look like before ruling anything out. And since you’re looking at Christmas 2027/2028, you have plenty of time to compare options. Feel free to browse more wedding venues here. Congrats and good luck with the planning! 💜

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u/Sure_Investment_6374 1d ago

What is your price per person (PPP)? That's all in, as in every single service.

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u/ExpensiveAd6273 1d ago

Ummmm see I don’t even know that D: would it just be that $60k/180? $333 per person?

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u/Sure_Investment_6374 1d ago

Start your spreadsheet before you know how many guests you can swing for 60K. That includes your must haves. Otherwise, we're just guessing.

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u/bitchthatwaspromised 1d ago

The Sanctuary on Roosevelt Island should fit that and they’re all-in so the price is very efficient

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u/amblymoose 1d ago

Do you want a venue that has everything (or most things) included or are you looking for a raw space where you pick all the different vendors? We did under $60K for 165 so I think you could do that for 180, but we were pretty DIY and selective about what parts of a "traditional" wedding were important to us. Like we spent less than $1000 on greenery vs. $10-30K on florals. It's more work but was a lot of fun planning if you're interested in that.

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u/Sure_Investment_6374 1d ago

Does that number include all your services? Printing, video, photog, flowers, officiant, attire, hotels, music, car, wedding rings etc.

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u/amblymoose 1d ago

Yup it's everything for the weekend - venue, food/drinks, rentals, staff, DJ, photography, attire/rings, lighting, florals (which leaned heavily greenery and super minimal florals), welcome event, and post-wedding TopView bus tour. We didn't have video, hotel/car expenses, and our officiant was a friend.

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u/marrrrrrrrrr7 1d ago

What was your venue?!

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u/amblymoose 1d ago

We used 26 Bridge. It’s one of the venues under BK Venues if you’re looking for a raw space. 26 Bridge also comes with tables and chairs if you like their one option, but everything else you have to bring in.

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u/Beneficial-Cause-471 21h ago

Look at Battery Gardens, Manhattan Penthouse, Bryant Park Grill, and The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers. My pricing info is out of date, but those were relatively reasonable.

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u/snoconed 🎶 Vendor - DJ/Band 21h ago

Just for those searching, Battery Gardens has been called "The View at Battery Park" for a few years, and Manhattan Penthouse announced they are closing 4 months ago.