The Best Small Wedding Venues in New York

There are tons of venues in New York, so it’s pretty easy for anyone to find something that fits their style. If you intend to hold an intimate wedding without having to spend hours searching for the right spot, this checklist from Wezoree is a solid place to start. Check out the top small NY wedding venues.

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How to Choose the Best Small Wedding Venue in New York

Before you fall in love with a particular venue, it's helpful to clarify what's important for your special day. Use this mini checklist to narrow down your options and ensure that the venue you choose is suitable for you, your guests and your budget.

• First, you need to know how many guests you're expecting. Decide whether you're hosting 20, 50, or closer to 100 people, as this instantly rules some venues in and others out.
• Choose your borough and vibe. Do you imagine yourself in the pleasant streets of the West Village, by the waterfront in Brooklyn, or somewhere that feels like a weekend getaway just outside the city?
• Consider the flow of the ceremony and reception. Would you prefer everything to be in one place, or would you be happy to move guests from a ceremony venue to a restaurant or hotel afterwards?
• The importance of the view should be decided upon. Would you prefer a skyline, park or water view, or would you be happy with no view at all? Knowing your priorities will help you choose between rooftops, garden spaces and intimate restaurants.
• Prioritise food or atmosphere (or both). Some couples dream of a Michelin-level tasting menu, while others prioritise the room's mood and how it feels when everyone's together.
• Check the weather forecast and have a backup plan in case of rain or cold. If you’re planning to use a terrace, garden or deck, make sure there’s a solid indoor alternative that still feels special in case of rain or cold weather.
• Look at minimum spends and packages. When organising a small wedding, it is important to understand what is included in the food-and-beverage minimum and what is not.
• Consider guest comfort and logistics. Consider how easy it is to get there by subway or car, if there's nearby parking or hotels, and how late the party can realistically go.
• Picture your photos. Ask yourself whether you would prefer shots with the bridge behind you, Central Park, bookshelves, candlelit banquettes or a sailboat on the Hudson.

The Beekman Hotel

The Beekman feels like stepping into Old New York in the best possible way. It works for small gatherings, and each room has its own personality. The big atrium with its iron railings is the hotel’s star, and it gives the whole place a dramatic, romantic mood from the moment you walk in. People love celebrating here because it really does make a wedding weekend feel extraordinarily special.

Maximum guest capacity: 90 guests

Celestine

Celestine is a sweet little Brooklyn restaurant and one of the most famous small wedding venues in New York. It has this relaxed, almost homey feeling, even though you’re staring straight at the skyline. The view is honestly the first thing people notice: the bridges, the river, the whole city right in front of you. The staff is kind and easy to talk to, which makes planning an event there feel a lot less stressful than it usually is.

Maximum guest capacity: 100 guests

Library Hotel

The Library Hotel has a calm, book-filled charm that feels different from most places in Midtown. Every floor has its own little theme, and the rooms and lounges feel warm and personal. The rooftop is the highlight. It’s bright, cozy, and surprisingly quiet for this part of the city. The whole place feels welcoming, almost like someone’s private reading room tucked above the noise.

Maximum guest capacity: 50 guests

Midtown Loft & Terrace

Midtown Loft & Terrace is one of the most popular small wedding venues in New York that gives you both indoor comfort and real rooftop magic in the same place. The terrace sits right above Fifth Avenue, with string lights, planters, and skyline views that feel close enough to touch. Inside, the loft has warm wood floors, simple décor, and big windows - nothing fussy, just a clean space that works for any style. 

Maximum guest capacity: 150 guests

Deity

Deity is a cozy Brooklyn spot with a lot of charm packed inside. It’s a renovated old synagogue, so the brick walls, warm lighting, and little architectural details give it a really special feel. The venue has a few different levels: a lounge for cocktails, a pretty brick-lined room for the ceremony, and an upstairs space for dinner and dancing. Couples like it because everything is in one place, and the flow between rooms feels easy and natural. 

For smaller gatherings, they offer micro-wedding packages for 50 or fewer guests.

Park Lane

The venue feels like a classic New York hotel with a softer, more relaxed mood. It sits right by Central Park, so the views are a big part of the experience: trees, skyline, and that open stretch of green you don’t usually get in Midtown. The spaces inside are bright and polished without being overdone. Park Lane works well for smaller celebrations where you want something elegant but still comfortable. 

Maximum guest capacity: 100 guests

Palma

Palma feels like a little pocket of warmth on Cornelia Street. The front room has a big window that lets you look right out onto the block. Inside, it’s always filled with flowers and soft candlelight. It’s an easy, intimate space where you can sit down with about 50 people. The garden in the back is the part everyone remembers: open all year, full of greenery, and somehow always charming no matter the season.

Maximum guest capacity: 50 guests

The River Café

The River Café has been a New York landmark for so long that it almost feels like part of the bridge itself. You walk down the little pathway by the water, and suddenly the whole skyline opens up in front of you. The restaurant has built its reputation on thoughtful food and that unmistakable Manhattan backdrop. People still come here for the kind of dinners that mark a new chapter, so why not start yours here?

Maximum guest capacity: 100 guests

Crystal Springs

Crystal Springs feels a bit like a getaway. You arrive and the mountains are right there, the air feels different, and everything slows down. The resort is spread out over a big piece of land, so you get these little pockets of scenery: hills, ponds, outdoor patios, and more. The venue works just as well for a small celebration as it does for a full weekend escape.

Maximum guest capacity: 100 guests

The Atrium at Sunny Atlantic Beach Club

It’s basically a big wooden deck sitting right by the ocean, and on warm days it feels incredible: open, breezy, and surrounded by nothing but water in front of you. If the weather turns rough, they just close the glass canopy and everyone stays warm without losing the view. It’s simple, but it works really well. The food is a huge part of the experience too, because everything they serve feels really good. The space fits around 200 people for dinner, though once you add a dance floor, it becomes better for smaller celebrations.

Prospect Park Picnic House

The Picnic House has this easy, down-to-earth charm that feels a little nostalgic. It sits right by the Long Meadow, so when you step outside, it’s just trees, open sky, and that big stretch of green that makes Prospect Park feel endless. Inside, the room is simple - wood floors, high ceilings, and big windows, and that’s exactly what people love about it. You can set it up however you want without fighting against the space. 

The venue can accommodate up to 175 guests for a reception, although it has special rates for weddings with under 50 people.

City Vineyard at Pier 26

This is one of those spots where the city feels close, but the water makes everything calmer. The Rooftop Overlook is small and really lovely, perfect for a group that wants something intimate. You can move between indoor and outdoor areas depending on the weather. Inside, the space has a warm, rustic look with leather chairs, oak tables, and that cozy wine-bar feeling that never tries too hard. 

Maximum guest capacity: 70 guests

Robert

Robert is one of those New York restaurants that instantly feels special the moment you step inside. It sits at the top of the Museum of Arts and Design, so the floor-to-ceiling windows give you sweeping Columbus Circle views and Central Park right at your feet. The space is modern, colorful, and a little glamorous without trying too hard. It’s the kind of place where you can toast with your closest people and genuinely feel like you’re celebrating in the heart of the city.

Maximum guest capacity: 75

Sant Ambroeus West Village

This is the type of small restaurant where every detail just feels right. You almost feel as though you've stepped into a TV show or a movie. Even Sarah Jessica Parker, a New York icon, likes to visit for lunch. By the way, similar spots may be found in the Hamptons and on the Upper East Side. True New Yorkers will be drawn in by sophisticated Italian food and comfy tables outside throughout the warm season.

Maximum guest capacity: 45

Le Coucou

This restaurant made quite a splash in its first year of existence; all the celebrities desired to dine here. A famous French chef, fashion designers, and restaurateurs all teamed up to bring it to life. Classic French food and the atmosphere make the place one of the best small wedding venues in New York City.

Maximum guest capacity: 84

Lafayette Grand Café & Bakery

Lafayette is a vintage French cafe that is worth visiting on a daily basis. So why not consider it for a moment as meaningful as your wedding? Every year, the restaurant thrills guests with a seasonal menu of delicacies from several areas of France, ranging from Provence to Normandy. A private dining room is available for small receptions inside the restaurant, but the venue can accommodate larger gatherings, too.

Maximum guest capacity in private room: 20

Grand Banks

The Grand Banks Oyster Bar, perched on the deck of an iconic sailboat, offers food, sea, and breathtaking scenery of the Hudson River, New York Harbor, and the Liberty Tower. This seaside bar is quite popular with couples, so we strongly advise you to make your reservation as soon as possible. On warm summer days, there’s nothing better than sipping a cold glass of wine at sunset while the boat gently rocks and the skyline glows around you. The menu leans into oysters, light seasonal dishes, and crisp cocktails that pair perfectly with the waterfront setting.

Mind that it’s only open from May through October.

Eleven Madison Park

For numerous years in a row, the restaurant has been ranked among the top five restaurants in the world. This is an impressive establishment with an Art Deco interior design. Every dish on the menu is a work of art, and the presentation is spectacular. There are three rooms available for both the ceremony and the reception.

Maximum guest capacity: 50

Maison Premiere

Brooklyn is the place to go for fresh local oysters and a one-of-a-kind vibe for your wedding. In the trendy Williamsburg area, there is a venue with a vibe reminiscent of old Paris, New Orleans, and New York at the same time. There are numerous packages available here. Plus, the venue has its own garden, which is also available for booking throughout the summer.

Maximum guest capacity: 70

The Best Small Wedding Venues in New York City: Quick Summary

Use this summary table to quickly compare all the venues and find the one that fits your celebration best.