In a Field, on a Rooftop, Under a Waterfall
Fifteen new outdoor places to get hitched.
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A post-ceremony campfire
at the Arnold House.
(Photo: Courtesy of the vendor) |
IN THE CITY
Rose’s
Location: Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Capacity: 35
The new bar and grill from Francine Stephens and Andrew Feinberg, the owners of Franny’s, is in the pizza place’s original location, with a leafy secret-feeling garden in the back. Surrounded by brownstones, it’s tucked away and lined with seasonal potted plants and filled with small tables brightened with cheery red chairs. Hold the ceremony outside before heading in for a family-style dinner of spit-roasted pork loin, barbecued chicken, and ice cream sundaes. Or stay outside the whole time; the backyard can be tented for an extra fee of around $1,200 � but, unfortunately, dancing’s not allowed.
From $2,000. 295 Flatbush Ave., nr. Prospect Pl. 718-230-0427; rosesbklyn.com
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The Knockdown Center
(Photo: Courtesy of the vendors) |
The Knockdown Center
Location: Maspeth, Queens
Capacity: 300
Built in 1903, this restored factory was first used to make glass and then, in the 1950s, doors � it’s named for the Knock-Down door frames that were invented here by Samuel Skylar in 1956. Now it’s a massive labyrinthine art and event space � with 40-foot-high ceilings and 50,000 square feet � that also has an outdoor �ruin� space that was once a boiler room for the glass factory. An industrial shell � made of brick, wood, and steel � is nestled in the open courtyard at the back of the space and has an upper and lower half, so the couple can stand above their guests during the ceremony in a picturesque built-in archway.
From $12,000. 52-19 Flushing Ave., at 54th St.; knockdown.center
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(Photo: Courtesy of the vendor) |
Weeksville Heritage Center
Location: Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Capacity: 300
Established in the 19th century by ex-slaves, Weeksville, Brooklyn (now part of Crown Heights), was one of America’s first free black communities, and the Weeksville Heritage Center is dedicated to preserving its history. The center has two 3,200-square-foot lawns, perfect for outdoor weddings or receptions. The more popular open space is the one connected to the glass-walled main building; the other is closer to the street and offers less privacy. Both face a meadow packed with shrubbery and herbs (in full bloom by May). When it’s time for the reception, white tables shielded by white umbrellas complete the space. Couples select their own outside caterers (they must be insured), and there is space for dancing (though that reduces the capacity).
From $3,000. 158 Buffalo Ave., at St. Marks Ave.; 718-756-5250; weeksvillesociety.org
Bat Haus
Location: Bushwick, Brooklyn
Capacity: 100
For those who toil there, communal work space Bat Haus serves as a blank canvas for company building. Likewise, for those looking for a more nontraditional wedding venue, the space, just off the L train in Bushwick, can be whatever you want it to be. A private 500-square-foot backyard can be strung with twinkling lights or China ball lanterns, and whether to leave the large red umbrella and the few white Eames chairs in place is up to you. Inside, the 2,000-square-foot room (mostly empty, save for a few long family-style tables) feels even bigger, thanks to a 20-foot skylight-filled ceiling and a floor-to-ceiling windowed storefront.
$3,850 flat rate. 279 Starr St., nr. St. Nicholas Ave. 917-865-8660; bathaus.com
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(Photo: courtesy of the vendor) |
The William Vale
Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Capacity: 300
Brooklyn’s newest (as of this writing, yet-to-open) luxury hotel is now booking for June weddings onward. The 4,400-square-foot, completely open terrace atop the hotel � on the 23rd floor � offers an unimpeded view of the entire Manhattan skyline across the East River. Or, lower down on the fourth floor, the hotel offers an outdoor space, which is more shielded from the wind, as well as what they say is the largest pool in New York, at 60 feet long. Dinner in the 4,100-square-foot ballroom will be helmed by chef Andrew Carmellini’s Noho Hospitality group. And when they’re all danced out, guests will be able to make an easy exit � the parking garage for the hotel can be accessed through the ballroom.
From $225 per person. 111 N. 12th St., nr. Berry St. thewilliamvale.com
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(Photo: Courtesy of the vendors) |
Threes Brewing
Location: Gowanus, Brooklyn
Capacity: 180
Threes Brewing is a full city block (it’s in a former furniture-manufacturing space), with 3,200 square feet of outdoor space called the Yard. What could be a stark concrete space is instead filled with trellis hops and English ivy, while wisteria climbs up 16-foot-high steel trellises, and hornbeam apple trees line the south wall. For those more interested in suds than flora, the Yard has a private bar with Threes beers on tap (there’s also liquor, cocktails, wine, and cider inside the main space). In the colder months, smaller weddings � up to 60 guests � can still be held outside, under heated tents. Food is provided by a rotating cast of New York restaurants. Past partners have included Roberta’s, Daniel Boulud’s DBGB, and Meat Hook.
From $5,000. 333 Douglass St., nr. Fourth Ave.; threesbrewing.com
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(Photo: Courtesy of the vendor) |
The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park
Location: Battery Park
Capacity: 280
This new luxury hotel has an outdoor plaza � directly across from Robert Wagner Park � with views of Battery Park and the lower-city skyline. For an even more dramatic vista, go up to the 14th floor, where the hotel’s contemporary Art Deco event space, called Rise, has an outdoor terrace and lawn with panoramic views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and New York Harbor. (For guests who want to gaze a little longer, all of the hotel rooms with Statue of Liberty views come with a telescope). During cocktail hour, you can go the food-station route (they offer an Asian table, with shrimp tempura or sushi, and a Spanish-style stop, with empanadas and croquettes), and for the sit-down meal, dishes include poached pear and bitter greens, lobster risotto, sea bass, or filet mignon.
From $230 per person. 2 West St., nr. 1st Pl. 212-344-0800; ritzcarlton.com
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(Photo: Courtesy of the vendor) |
Fornino
Location: Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Capacity: 200
Beloved Brooklyn pizza-maker Fornino has a seasonal rooftop outpost in Brooklyn Bridge Park (open from April 1 to November 1) that overlooks the East River, with views of lower Manhattan, including 1 World Trade Center and beyond. (The sunset over the river is notably spectacular from here). Below the roof, there’s another outdoor option: a terrace with wooden picnic tables that can be jazzed up with floral centerpieces. In either space, guests can start with chef Michael Ayoub’s wood-fired pizza and antipasti, including marinated olives or eggplant mozzarella, continue with a custom buffet that includes organic salmon or dry-rubbed prime beef, and finish with dessert from Dough’s doughnuts.
From $65 per person. Pier 6, nr. Joralemon St. 718-422-1107; fornino.com
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(Photo: Courtesy of the vendor) |
Rooftop Reds
Location: Brooklyn Navy Yard
Capacity: 74
This Brooklyn Navy Yard spot is attempting to be the city’s first commercial vineyard. Grapes are on the vines now � via an urban planter system spread out over 15,000 square feet � and the first harvest is expected in October. In the meantime, the rooftop vineyard is an ideal spot for weddings. Cere�monies take place on the southeast edge of the rooftop (brides walk down the center of the vineyard). Afterward, both the skylines of Manhattan, including the Empire State Building, and Downtown Brooklyn can be seen while strolling through the rows of vines. There’s also an industrial-looking tasting room, and while they’re waiting for their own wine to mature, Rooftop Reds serves a selection of Fingerlakes wines. Bring in your own caterer, and when you’re ready to boogie, a 1,500-square-foot tented deck space becomes the dance floor.
From $6,000. 63 Flushing Ave., nr. Navy Street Gate, Building 275 703-582-8609; rooftopreds.com
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(Photo: Courtesy of the vendor) |
The Farm on Kent
Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Capacity: 250
For the first time in 150 years, this stretch of the East River � below where the now-demolished Domino Sugar refinery once stood � is open to the public and is home to the Farm on Kent. It’s a working farm � you’ll be surrounded by seasonal flowers and vegetables � but with views of the Manhattan skyline, the Williamsburg Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty. Wedding ceremonies are usually held on the main lawn, and lounging areas are all around: The picnic tables are covered with cushions and rugs, and the grass has been carved out to give guests a place to lie down. The farm can cater smaller events of 50 people or fewer with farm-to-table fare, including produce from their own garden (they can do a completely vegetarian menu as well), or guests can use their own caterer (the farm frequently works with Marlow & Sons). Unwind after the meal at the fire pit or dance on the lawn. If you want your guests to be able to keep their shoes on, for $500 the farm can set up an actual dance floor on the grass.
From $85 per person. 320 Kent Ave., nr. S. 4th St. northbrooklynfarms.com
OUTSIDE THE CITY
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(Photo: Courtesy of the vendor) |
Salt at the Boathouse
Location: Shelter Island, New York
Capacity: 180
Hurricane Sandy put plans to turn Salt restaurant’s adjoining boathouse into a wedding venue on pause (it was flooded and destroyed in the storm). But five years later, it’s been completely restored (with dark wood, barnlike ceiling beams, and chandeliers) and is open for business � Salt managers Keith Bavaro and Ali Bevilacqua actually had their own wedding here last October. The entire length of the building is on the waterfront � seafaring brides can even arrive by boat � and beyond that, a short walk from the dock, there’s a private island that’s perfect for the ceremony or cocktail hour (or both). Plus, because the couple grew up on the island, they have relationships with local vendors, fishermen, farmers, florists, and drivers � and are happy to guide couples every step of the way.
From $15,000. 63 S. Menantic Rd.; 631-749-5535 saltshelterisland.com
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(Photo: Courtesy of the vendor) |
The Arnold House
Location: Livingston Manor, New York
Capacity: 150
Nestled into the forest of Shandelee Mountain, the Arnold House is meant to be rented out for an entire weekend, which is why it holds only eight weddings a year. At this true country retreat � spread out over seven acres � couples can hold outdoor events all over the grounds. Consider a wedding ceremony in the wildflower meadows and a reception in the refurbished 1940s pole barn, with dinner of homegrown garden veggies and fish pulled from the nearby river served on hand-hewn antique farm tables. Cap off the party the next morning with brunch on the sundeck. VIP guests can stay in the ten inviting rooms (with cork floors and antique furniture) on the property.
From $25,000. 839 Shandelee Rd.; 845-439-5070 thearnoldhouse.com
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(Photo: Courtesy of the vendor) |
Handsome Hollow
Location: Long Eddy, New York
Capacity: 225
This venue’s 93 acres of wilderness � covered with blueberry bushes and hemlock trees, plus hiking trails for adventurous guests � in the foothills of the Catskills offer multiple outdoor-ceremony possibilities. Couples can get married in an eight-foot-stone-wall enclosure (the remnants of a centuries-old barn), a secluded clearing surrounded by maple trees and ferns (with cut logs arranged around the perimeter for seating), or a field encircled by wildflowers and a white-birch arbor. From the stone-wall enclosure and the wildflower field, you can hear a burbling creek. Later, dine on fare from nearby caterer Early Bird Cookery, which is famous for its homemade ice cream, with flavors such as blackpepper peach and caramel corn. Dance in the 18th-century Amish barn, which is equipped with a professional sound system. Finish the night at one of the two fire pits on the property. For guests who want to stay over, the nearby farmhouse sleeps six.
From $14,000. 5256 County Rd. No. 28; 607-527-0480; handsomehollow.com
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(Photo: Courtesy of the vendor) |
The Barn at Liberty Farms
Location: Hudson, New York
Capacity: 220
A former thoroughbred-breeding farm, Liberty Farms is located off a sleepy road in Hudson (about two hours from Manhattan). In 2013, it was transformed into a 300-acre certified organic farm, with a private section dedicated to weddings. Guests will pass through grounds dotted with willow trees, orchards, and horses (there’s still a training and boarding facility on the premises) before reaching the refurbished stallion barn. Cere�monies and receptions can be held in the manicured paddock that’s closed off with a white picket fence and backed by the classic red barn, or on the hilltop in the main farm (for an extra charge); it has views of the Catskills on one side and the Berkshire Mountains on the other. Dinner is typically in the barn (in-town caterers Heirloom Fire can prep meals of hearth-roasted Hudson Valley duck, salt-baked whole red snapper, and heirloom-apple bread pudding), followed by dancing. The lighting is dimmable, and the eight former stallion stalls can be used as bars, hors d’oeuvre stations, lounge areas, or photo booths.
From $6,500. 60 Ostrander Rd.; 917-539-9283; thebarnatlibertyfarms.com
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(Photo: Courtesy of the vendor) |
Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern
Location: Saugerties, New York
Capacity: 400
Here, against the backdrop of a waterfall at Diamond Mills, the grand terrace overlooks an even grander Esopus Falls. The falling water once provided power to many businesses in town � including the 1880s paper mill that was located where the hotel is now. Each of the 30 guest rooms at the boutique hotel, about 100 miles outside the city, has a private balcony that overlooks the falls; plus, they’re appointed with cozy touches such as heated bathroom floors and overstuffed duvets. Just off the terrace is a chandelier-heavy ballroom that’s large enough for those who don’t want to be draconian with their guest list, and when some of the crowd has gone to bed, there’s a smaller fireside lounge for night owls.
From $95 per person. 25 S. Partition St.; 845-247-0700; diamondmillshotel.com