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Ten New York City Wedding Venues That Won't Break the Bank

By Caitlin Petreycik
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By Caitlin Petreycik

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If recent studies are to be believed, a typical Manhattan wedding costs $76,328, while ceremonies in the outer boroughs ring in at $49,781—which is still almost $20,000 over the national average. Those numbers are brain-breakingly high enough to make budget-conscious couples contemplate heading south of the border to Jersey...but there's another way.

Surprise, surprise—New York City is home to a number of affordable wedding venues, from converted carriage houses and Brooklyn art galleries to private clubs that bend their door policies for couples saying "I do."

We've mapped out our favorites, below. A few tips before we get started: consider booking your space for a Friday evening, Sunday afternoon, or weekday for maximum savings. And remember—when it comes to wedding planning, everything is negotiable.

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Norwood

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The five-story Norwood townhouse is a private club for creative types, but the owner is willing to open the doors to non-members looking for a unique wedding venue. The space’s charm lies in its décor—a mishmash of ornate fireplaces, wingback chairs, modern art, and Oriental rugs. Rooms are priced individually—from $1,000 to $3,000—and the fourth-floor screening room (maximum capacity: 65) is a popular choice for seated ceremonies. [Photo ]
241 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011
(212) 255-9300
(212) 255-9300

Alger House

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Alger House boasts an eclectic history—originally a turn of the century carriage house, it was transformed into an artists’ loft in the ‘60s (and still houses an impressive art collection). With its whitewashed brick walls, skylights, chandeliers, high-beamed ceilings, and Victorian fireplaces, the intimate West Village venue is a grab bag of perfect photo backdrops. While rates depend on the size of the party (up to 100 guests), expect to pay between $100 and $200 per person, plus a $2,000 rental fee—this covers a customized menu, open bar, champagne toast, linens, and staff. [Photo ]
45 Downing St, New York, NY 10011
(212) 627-8838
(212) 627-8838

New York City Fire Museum

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Yes, affordable Soho wedding venues do exist. Located on Spring Street, the Fire Musuem rents out its event space for a flat rate of $3,500 for 8 hours, or if you prefer to go hourly, $450 an hour. The only catch is you're responsible for bringing in your own caterer (who must come equipped with both a liquor license and liability insurance), as well as musical entertainment. [Photo ]
278 Spring St, New York, NY 10013
(212) 691-1303
(212) 691-1303

The Aurora Gallery

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A hangout for painters, dancers, actors, videographers and musicians, this unique gallery space is also a blank canvas for innovative brides-and-grooms-to-be. With room for 120 seated guests plus a dance floor, the $1,300 starting price point isn’t too shabby. [Photo ]
3518 37th St, Astoria, NY 11101
(917) 745-0003
(917) 745-0003

The Albra Room

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Long Island City wedding standby The Foundry has a new addition this year—the Albra Room, named after the Albra Metal Foundry that was built on the site a century ago. Rates for the 1,000-square-foot modern-industrial space, which holds up to 70 guests, start at $3,500 for 12 hours. And, if the vaulted glass ceilings don’t provide a clear enough view of the stars, couples can also rent an adjacent 150-square-foot garden space for an additional fee. [Photo ]
42-38 9th St, Long Island City, NY 11101
(718) 521-4338
(718) 521-4338

Urban Cowboy B&B

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With its $10,000 rental fee, Williamsburg’s woodsy Urban Cowboy B&B may not seem like a bargain, compared to other venues on this list. But that sum grants you access to the entire property—a four-bedroom brownstone, garden, and separate cabin—for two days and two nights, meaning you can throw the weekend wedding rager of your dreams. As for the ceremony itself, the open ground floor common area accommodates up to 60 people. [Photo ]
111 Powers St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
(347) 840-0525
(347) 840-0525

The 1896

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When it comes to affordable wedding venues, converted factories seem to be the way to go. The 1896 got its start as an electrical-conduit production facility before being converted into artists’ studios and serving as a photo set for the likes of Ryan McGinley and Vanity Fair. Now, couples can rent the East Williamsburg compound’s 1,500-square-foot outdoor courtyard (best for parties of 200 or less), as well as one or more of its raw indoor spaces. Prices start at $6,000 for a 14-hour event. [Photo ]
215 Ingraham Street, Brooklyn, NY 11237
(718) 451-6531
(718) 451-6531

Sky Gallery

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Minimalist brides who prefer raw silk slip dresses to cupcake gowns—this might be the white-walled wedding venue of your dreams. Sky Gallery, the newest venture from the team behind Gowanus wedding hotspots the Green Building and 501 Union, is a 1,600-square-foot space finished with skylights, concrete floors, rotating wall art from emerging artists, and a 1,400-square-foor sculpture garden. The venue holds up to 65 guests, and rates start at $2,000 for an eight-hour time block. While food and decorations aren’t included in the fee, Sky Gallery is happy to arrange those services through their in-house caterer Purslane, and their go-to event designers Starling on Bond. [Photo ]
460 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718) 522-3363
(718) 522-3363

Frankie's 457

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The converted blacksmith’s stable combines the charm of exposed brick walls and sunshine for days via skylight, not to mention its own garden. The food and beverage minimum is $7,500, plus a $500 facility fee that covers set-up and basics for a three hour event. The downside to this darling Brooklyn joint: they don’t have a cabaret license, so getting down on the dance floor is not permitted. [Photo ]
457 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718) 403-0033
(718) 403-0033

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Queens County Farm Museum

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Okay you Etsy-obsessed brides: we don’t need to tell you that rustic chic is the DIY rage, but you'll be thrilled to know that you can now get that Mason Jar vibe right here in NYC at the Farm Museum. They offer different setups, ranging from open air pavilion to barn to orchard to lawn, all ranging in price and accommodation of guests. The Barn Complex can accommodate 120 guests with a dance floor, and is $2,000 for a 4 hour event, with an additional $250 tacked on for each hour of overtime. Again, this is for space only, so budget in the money you’ll need for food and entertainment. [Photo ]
7350 Little Neck Pkwy, Floral Park, NY 11004
(718) 347-3276
(718) 347-3276
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Norwood

241 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011
The five-story Norwood townhouse is a private club for creative types, but the owner is willing to open the doors to non-members looking for a unique wedding venue. The space’s charm lies in its décor—a mishmash of ornate fireplaces, wingback chairs, modern art, and Oriental rugs. Rooms are priced individually—from $1,000 to $3,000—and the fourth-floor screening room (maximum capacity: 65) is a popular choice for seated ceremonies. [Photo ]
241 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011
(212) 255-9300
(212) 255-9300

Alger House

45 Downing St, New York, NY 10011
Alger House boasts an eclectic history—originally a turn of the century carriage house, it was transformed into an artists’ loft in the ‘60s (and still houses an impressive art collection). With its whitewashed brick walls, skylights, chandeliers, high-beamed ceilings, and Victorian fireplaces, the intimate West Village venue is a grab bag of perfect photo backdrops. While rates depend on the size of the party (up to 100 guests), expect to pay between $100 and $200 per person, plus a $2,000 rental fee—this covers a customized menu, open bar, champagne toast, linens, and staff. [Photo ]
45 Downing St, New York, NY 10011
(212) 627-8838
(212) 627-8838

New York City Fire Museum

278 Spring St, New York, NY 10013
Yes, affordable Soho wedding venues do exist. Located on Spring Street, the Fire Musuem rents out its event space for a flat rate of $3,500 for 8 hours, or if you prefer to go hourly, $450 an hour. The only catch is you're responsible for bringing in your own caterer (who must come equipped with both a liquor license and liability insurance), as well as musical entertainment. [Photo ]
278 Spring St, New York, NY 10013
(212) 691-1303
(212) 691-1303

The Aurora Gallery

3518 37th St, Astoria, NY 11101
A hangout for painters, dancers, actors, videographers and musicians, this unique gallery space is also a blank canvas for innovative brides-and-grooms-to-be. With room for 120 seated guests plus a dance floor, the $1,300 starting price point isn’t too shabby. [Photo ]
3518 37th St, Astoria, NY 11101
(917) 745-0003
(917) 745-0003

The Albra Room

42-38 9th St, Long Island City, NY 11101
Long Island City wedding standby The Foundry has a new addition this year—the Albra Room, named after the Albra Metal Foundry that was built on the site a century ago. Rates for the 1,000-square-foot modern-industrial space, which holds up to 70 guests, start at $3,500 for 12 hours. And, if the vaulted glass ceilings don’t provide a clear enough view of the stars, couples can also rent an adjacent 150-square-foot garden space for an additional fee. [Photo ]
42-38 9th St, Long Island City, NY 11101
(718) 521-4338
(718) 521-4338

Urban Cowboy B&B

111 Powers St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
With its $10,000 rental fee, Williamsburg’s woodsy Urban Cowboy B&B may not seem like a bargain, compared to other venues on this list. But that sum grants you access to the entire property—a four-bedroom brownstone, garden, and separate cabin—for two days and two nights, meaning you can throw the weekend wedding rager of your dreams. As for the ceremony itself, the open ground floor common area accommodates up to 60 people. [Photo ]
111 Powers St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
(347) 840-0525
(347) 840-0525

The 1896

215 Ingraham Street, Brooklyn, NY 11237
When it comes to affordable wedding venues, converted factories seem to be the way to go. The 1896 got its start as an electrical-conduit production facility before being converted into artists’ studios and serving as a photo set for the likes of Ryan McGinley and Vanity Fair. Now, couples can rent the East Williamsburg compound’s 1,500-square-foot outdoor courtyard (best for parties of 200 or less), as well as one or more of its raw indoor spaces. Prices start at $6,000 for a 14-hour event. [Photo ]
215 Ingraham Street, Brooklyn, NY 11237
(718) 451-6531
(718) 451-6531

Sky Gallery

460 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Minimalist brides who prefer raw silk slip dresses to cupcake gowns—this might be the white-walled wedding venue of your dreams. Sky Gallery, the newest venture from the team behind Gowanus wedding hotspots the Green Building and 501 Union, is a 1,600-square-foot space finished with skylights, concrete floors, rotating wall art from emerging artists, and a 1,400-square-foor sculpture garden. The venue holds up to 65 guests, and rates start at $2,000 for an eight-hour time block. While food and decorations aren’t included in the fee, Sky Gallery is happy to arrange those services through their in-house caterer Purslane, and their go-to event designers Starling on Bond. [Photo ]
460 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718) 522-3363
(718) 522-3363

Frankie's 457

457 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
The converted blacksmith’s stable combines the charm of exposed brick walls and sunshine for days via skylight, not to mention its own garden. The food and beverage minimum is $7,500, plus a $500 facility fee that covers set-up and basics for a three hour event. The downside to this darling Brooklyn joint: they don’t have a cabaret license, so getting down on the dance floor is not permitted. [Photo ]
457 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718) 403-0033
(718) 403-0033

Queens County Farm Museum

7350 Little Neck Pkwy, Floral Park, NY 11004
Okay you Etsy-obsessed brides: we don’t need to tell you that rustic chic is the DIY rage, but you'll be thrilled to know that you can now get that Mason Jar vibe right here in NYC at the Farm Museum. They offer different setups, ranging from open air pavilion to barn to orchard to lawn, all ranging in price and accommodation of guests. The Barn Complex can accommodate 120 guests with a dance floor, and is $2,000 for a 4 hour event, with an additional $250 tacked on for each hour of overtime. Again, this is for space only, so budget in the money you’ll need for food and entertainment. [Photo ]
7350 Little Neck Pkwy, Floral Park, NY 11004
(718) 347-3276
(718) 347-3276