Where to Elope in NYC: Small Wedding Venues for a Private Ceremony
Have your heart set on a small, private ceremony, but wondering where to elope in NYC? For couples planning a small wedding in New York (up to 50 people!), here’s my top five recommended places and resources to scout your perfect NYC wedding venue, no matter what your budget.
1. Central Park
Central Park is a very popular NYC elopement location, and for good reason: there’s dozens of spots within its 843 acres to choose from — some secluded, others more well-known — that can accommodate up to 50 people. Even though it’s a public park, you can “reserve” a timeslot (the parks permit only costs $25) at your spot of choice, and have a fairly private ceremony surrounded by beautiful greenery. For a reception, the Boathouse and Tavern on the Green are both within the park and are great for a post-ceremony meal. Sounds up your alley? Check out my complete guide on how to plan a Central Park wedding.
2. Hotel Terraces
For big city views, nothing beats an NYC rooftop elopement. There are tons of gorgeous, highly coveted large rooftop wedding venues in New York. However, they typically also come with an equally high price tag. For smaller weddings that don’t require that much space, I highly recommend considering a hotel suite with an adjoining outdoor terrace. Not only does this allow you the privacy that you want, but there’s no time limit, and this also means you’ve booked your hotel room for the night. Bring cake and champagne and celebrate with your guests!
3. Private restaurant dining rooms
If you’re already planning a post-nuptial meal with guests, consider having both at the same place. Many restaurants have private dining rooms, or offer partial or full buy-outs that can accommodate both large and small group sizes, and there’s usually a minimal (if any) additional ceremony charge. Just have the tables parted for an aisle, have your guests seat themselves, and watch the magic unfold in a casual yet intimate way before first course is served.
4. Browse Peerspace
Peerspace is like an Airbnb for event spaces, making it perfect for larger elopements where you want guests to be able to mix and mingle after the ceremony. You can search for spaces in various neighborhoods at different guest capacities and price points. Looking for a Brooklyn rooftop space for a sunset ceremony for 50? They have that. Looking for a downtown spot for a quiet morning nuptials before you head to Balthazar for brunch? They have that too. Bonus: oftentimes there’s flexibility in timeframe, meaning you can rent for just a few hours or the whole night.
5. Search Airbnb
For smaller elopements, Airbnb can be a perfect solution — yes, even in NYC, where domiciles tend to be small! For instance, the Love Shack is a super unique Brooklyn loft space with plenty of photo-friendly details, and can comfortably host around 20 guests. Bonus: there will be beds and you’ll already be renting the space overnight, so the newlyweds won’t need to shell out for an additional hotel room.
Looking for more NYC elopement tips?
- Guide to Eloping in NYC
- Best Airbnb Wedding Venues in New York
- Best NYC Elopement Locations Under $100
- 5 Iconic Wedding Locations with a View