The Sanctuary

ly helpful and kind, the food was good, and our guests even told us that we "undersold" the venue to them. It is the perfect spot for a waterfront city wedding! The DJ and wedding cake companies they work with are also great. We had a lot of special customizations for our wedding so we hired an outside day-of-coordinator, and the staff worked very well to incorporate her. Highly recommend!

! I cannot say enough good things about this venue. We were looking for a venue that was affordable and willing to work with us and we came across this hidden gem. I wanted an enchanted romantic candle lit wedding and this was the perfect place for it. The chapel is connected to the tented area, which is breathtaking. They have a beautiful suite on site where my bridal party and us were able to get ready in. They had pastries, coffee, and more ready for us while we were getting ready which I thought was such a beautiful touch. Arthur and Kat were extremely responsive from start to finish. They answered any questions that we had and were so attentive to everything! As a bride, I had some anxiety leading up to the day of but their prompt responses gave me piece of mind. The day of the wedding their whole team was on it either setting everything up. It made the experience stress free and they made our vision come to life - it exceeded our expectations by far! Our family and friends couldn’t believe how calm I was the day of the wedding and I kept telling the it’s bc they LITERALLY have the best team. I honestly can’t believe anything less than a 5 star review for this place if I’m honest. All of my guests kept raving about how attentive the staff was and how it was THE BEST service they’ve ever had at a wedding. If any one is in doubt about booking them for your wedding, don’t be! This is the perfect place and has the best team to host your wedding! All in all if we had to choose again, we’d choose The Sanctuary in a heartbeat! Do yourself a favor and give them a chance. You will not be disappointed! The sanctuary team has become family to us and for that we will always be eternally grateful to them!

unique and beautiful venues that I have seen. All of my guests were so impressed and loved the views of the city for pictures. The dinner tent feels magical and makes for amazing photos as well. Food was excellent and all of our guests raved about the filet- it’s extra but well worth the expensive.  They also offered snacks and beverages for when we were getting ready on site which was an amazing little extra touch. They have an entire house so the bridal parties can be separated. I had 12 ladies for hair and makeup and still had a lot of space. The house DJ was so fun and had us all on the dance floor. The bartenders were fast and all my guests were getting drinks quickly. I don’t have a single complaint and would recommend this venue to anyone looking for a unique NYC wedding!! Thanks again for an amazing night! The Banzer’s❤️ 

t was for NYC given all that it included. From the large bridal suite (really, house!) to the quality food and the fire pit, we were blown away by it all. They were able to accommodate everything we asked for, including having our dog participate in the ceremony and having enough coupe glasses for our signature drink. I’m not sure I heard “no” once from Arthur and his team! Truly incredible service. All of our guests raved about how cool the venue was. It has a funky, nontraditional vibe while also providing everything that a traditional wedding venue offers. And oh boy were they attentive during the event. Every time my glass was empty, it seemed Arthur or another member of the team handed me a fresh glass. Our package included a lot of extras (DJ, cake, late-night pizza), which just added to the incredible value. Thank you SO much Sanctuary team for making our wedding an incredible night!

rious, from the glass of wine we enjoyed as we toured the venue, to delicious food tastings, to the attention and care we received on the day of the wedding as we got ready in the comfortable adjoining house. We loved the that there were separate spaces for the celebration each more beautiful than the last. We ceremony on the pier over looking the Manhattan skyline was absolutely the stunning. The outdoor patio with a firepit for making late night s'mores was a lovely touch. The indoor chapel area with the beautiful bar and lively dancefloor was a hit as was the tented dinner and bar areas. The staff was accommodating and experienced and made our day feel effortless. We highly recommend.

throughout this process and they were extremely helpful every step of the way. This was the exact kind of venue I was looking for - something a little different than the stereotypical catering hall and that was actually affordable according to today's wedding standards. There was a Nor'easter on my wedding day and they were fully prepared. They easily altered our plans to still make the day go by smoothly. The guests had nothing but positive things to say. They loved the venue, thoroughly enjoyed the food and loved dancing in a separate location from the reception area. I could not be happier to have had the most important day of our lives thus far at The Sanctuary. It will always hold a special place in our hearts. The only thing I did not like was that for 9 months I was in constant communication with a wedding coordinator that we had come to know and love. At the time of my 3rd payment, I felt like something was off and had to ask quite a few times before I was told that she had "taken some time off but might be back for my wedding day". I had come to find out that she had stopped working there a couple of months before. I completely understand that things happen but this was the only person I had spoken to for 9 months and I would have appreciated being told by the head that she was no longer there. With that being said, we worked with Arthur for the remainder of our planning period as well as the day of and had an absolutely wonderful experience with him.

lutely stunning, but the team behind it made the entire experience seamless and stress-free. Cat and Arthur truly stepped up to make sure everything ran smoothly, allowing us to actually enjoy the day and just have fun. That’s not something we take for granted, especially knowing all that goes into producing events like this. From the planning process to the final moments of the night, their professionalism, care, and attention to detail were evident. Our guests couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful the space was and how effortless the whole celebration felt. One of our bartenders was Steve who was also part of our tastings. From our initial meeting, we were really hoping Steve would be on schedule, as he made great drinks but also truly was in it to make us and our guests have fun! So many spoke highly of Steve! Thank you Steve!!  We’re so grateful to the team at The Sanctuary for helping create a day that was meaningful, joyful, and completely us. If you’re considering this venue — go for it. You’re in the best hands.

it out. The venue coordinator, Arthur, was responsive and easy to work with, happily accommodated all our requests, and worked well with our vendors and wedding coordinator. Our guests kept complimenting the food and specialty cocktails - my BIL is a drink snob but approved of our Manhattan and espresso martini. The location and vibe (where else can you get married on a pier and then have a dance party in a church) is truly unique in New York, and was perfect for us. We highly recommend, no notes.

e held on the pier outside. Another reason we chose them was because their pricing was straightforward and quite reasonable for our budget; they also threw in a few extras for us at no additional charge. One of the highlights was their attached suite for getting ready. It was more of a small apartment than a suite, with ample space for both bridesmaids and groomsmen, and it also served double duty as a kids' area during the wedding. Arthur and Kat were great to work with. They and the rest of the Sanctuary staff made sure everything ran smoothly. Ours was an "easy-peasy" wedding according to them, but they still handled everything to perfection. We had signature cocktails that we provided the recipe for, and they executed them wonderfully. The food for the cocktail hour was delicious as expected, and even though everyone says reception food is never good, the dinner was also delicious. We danced the night away in the chapel, and made sure to capture some beautiful late night shots to capture the venue and the city in all their glory. Can’t wait to visit them again!

le and includes a lot more than you would expect. The whole planning process was a breeze. The Sanctuary team is great with their communication and was very helpful with tips to finalize our timeline and layout for the day. Everything was organized so well, that we were able to truly relax and enjoy our wedding day as if we were guests too. Big shout out to Kat, Arthur, Amelia, and Frank who were all wonderful to work with and made our wedding unforgettable! On top of all this, the food and drinks are absolutely amazing. We received tons of compliments from our guests on the beautiful venue, the food & drinks, as well as the service. I have nothing negative to say, and would highly recommend this venue!

and private events. The service is attentive, the food and drinks are excellent, and the overall experience feels elevated yet welcoming. A true gem just a quick ride from Manhattan.

to ensure that it was a spectacular day. On our first visit Alfonso was incredibly welcoming and warm. From there we worked with Amelia who was an absolute rockstar from planning to the execution. We didn't have to worry about a thing on our wedding day. She asked questions and confirmed our vision each step of the way. We communicated our vision ahead of time, handed her a binder with all of our info, timeline, etc. and everything came out exactly how we envisioned. The food was excellent, the bartenders were incredibly helpful during the tasting and helping us decide our signature cocktails. We couldn't have asked for a better day and LOVED our experience at The Sanctuary!!!!

d kind, and we felt like we could really relax and have so much fun on our wedding day because we were in great hands! Amelia was wonderful throughout the planning process, and even stayed on a call with us and our planner way over the time we'd been allotted just to make sure we hammered out every detail of the day. Kat was amazing day of - we brought a bunch of DIY flowers, and her team seamlessly worked with our coordinator to set up our tables with the bud vases, light all our candles, and create the most lovely arrangement out of our ceremony flowers at our sweetheart table! We didn't have to worry about anything day of, and that was such a gift :) also the food and drinks were GREAT! It was also supposed to pour the weekend of our wedding, and it was great to know that our rain plan would have been just as awesome as the sunny day we ended up with thanks to their tent. We had a fantastic wedding - definitely recommend working with them!!

ginning and even shared with us a detailed proposal catered to our guest count previous to us touring the venue. We had an amazing experience thought the planning process, and didn't have to be dealing with a ton of different vendors since they offer catering, and our package came with DJ and wedding cake included. Their team was always responsive to all of our questions during the planning process, and our day went really well. We had the ceremony offsite and our cocktail hour was amazing. The food during our reception was more delicious than during the tasting and drinks were flowing all night long. All of our guests had a great time at the party, and I truly can say that I had the most magical wedding at The Sanctuary.

r expectations. A huge thank you to Alfonso and his incredible team for making our day so special and seamless! Alfonso’s dedication and attention to detail were evident from the very beginning. He made sure every aspect of the event was executed flawlessly, and his team went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly. Their professionalism, warmth, and genuine care for us and our guests made all the difference. The Sanctuary’s charm and ambiance created the most magical atmosphere, and Alfonso’s team worked tirelessly to bring our vision to life. From setup to coordination, every detail was handled with precision and care. We are endlessly grateful to Alfonso and his team for making our wedding day unforgettable. If you’re looking for a venue that combines beauty, expertise, and a team that truly cares, The Sanctuary is the place to be. Thank you for everything!

lassy, and unique with multiple distinct spaces to enjoy. We worked mainly with Alfonso leading up to the wedding. He was a pleasure to work with. He provided us with clear guidance regarding the information that he needed and was responsive throughout the process and was willing to speak with us several times to go over our expectations and logistics for the event. We read several reviews recommending that we hire a separate DOC. We did not personally hire a separate DOC and do not believe that we needed one. We provided Alfonso and our DJ with a clear itinerary for our event and discussed the specifics with them before the event and our wedding flowed seamlesly. For reference, our wedding had about 120 guests, we did not have a formal wedding party or ushers, and our only other vendors were our DJ and photographer. We handled centerpieces, decorations, etc. ourselves. We are not really sure what benefit a separate DOC could have assisted us with personally. However, others may have different expectations. Besides adding some personal touches to the banquet tables, the venue was incredibly cute and party ready. As for the wedding itself, the staff was kind and supportive. Our ceremony on the pier was gorgeous. As we recessed back into the Sanctuary after the ceremony, the waitstaff was lining the sidewalk and greeted us and our guests with glasses of our signature cocktail and wine (a full bar and food was also ready). Alfonso and Kat took care of us and made sure that we were provided with a plate of our hors d'oeuvres and drinks after the ceremony and throughout the reception. The private house attached to the venue was also great. We had three rooms and a bathroom available, as well as a separate living room. Our mothers were able to use the space to get ready and we were able to meet with family behind the scenes there before the ceremony began. We had no idea what to expect going into it, but they really did have a very professional and polished process. Just be clear about the costs, expectations, and responsibilities when reviewing the contract and everything should be fine. Our guests were enchanted by the venue and provided tons of positive feedback about the food and drink quality. Our main regret was not heeding Alfonso's advice to buy only a small cake for a ceremonial cake cutting. The dessert station that they setup was very large and comprehensive and our three tier cake became more of a showpiece than a consumed dessert. In closing, we loved our wedding at the Sanctuary. We felt like everything went perfect and surpassed our expectations. We highly recommend. Thank you!

ined, the decor is elegant yet welcoming, and every space—from the ceremony area to the reception hall—was picture-perfect. It truly felt like something out of a fairytale. The staff went above and beyond to make our day seamless and unforgettable. They were incredibly attentive, professional, and always one step ahead, making sure every detail was just right. We felt genuinely cared for, and our guests are still raving about how beautiful everything was and how well they were looked after. A heartfelt thank you to Alfonso, whose guidance and support made this experience enjoyable from the very beginning. He was with us every step of the way, answering our questions, helping with our plans, and offering his expert advice on how to make our day perfect. We couldn’t be more grateful for everything The Sanctuary did to make our wedding day so special. It was an absolutely perfect experience, and we wholeheartedly recommend this venue to anyone looking for an exceptional setting and an outstanding team for their big day!

rience. Our guests raved about the top notch service, excellent (and bountiful food), cocktails, and the spectacular views. To anyone looking to get married there, we had 150 guests and the space was perfect for that number. The tented dinner area was comfortably yet still intimate and the sanctuary lounge offered ample space for the dance party to end the night. Also, there is a parking lot the venue utilizes with spots for about 30 cars which was a big help! In addition to the Sanctuary's support, what helped our big day was having an outside coordinator and being very prepared ourselves.

2/10 recommend!!!!

w versatile the spaces are - from indoor and outdoor options for ceremony to spaces for getting ready to an incredible tent for dinner and gorgeous church for dancing. Alfonso was highly communicative and helpful leading up to the wedding to make sure everything would be seamless and Amelia our day of coordinator knocked it out of the park and was attentive to every step of the day and thoughtful of our guests and us. The whole staff was truly excellent throughout the event and we got rave reviews from guests about food and drinks! Thanks guys!

imented the food and drinks, and we were all extremely impressed by the high quality service provided by the bartenders and waiters. Working with Amelia and Kat on the day was a pleasure and we couldn’t thank them enough for supporting us as we got set up that morning, and throughout the day. Our wedding day was the first time we interacted with either of them, and it was a pleasant surprise to have so much support on our side. Throughout the planning process we worked closely with Alfonso. Alfonso does a great job selling The Sanctuary and was available to answer our questions along the way. There were definitely some things we needed to dig into a bit more than we thought we’d have to - creating a detailed timeline for the day based a few examples provided, develop clearer floorplans of the venue for our vendors to ensure they understood the space, putting together a table map for our dinner setup, renting/purchasing the sound equipment needed for our ceremony on the pier, finding an alternative rehearsal space, and hiring a day of coordinator to support with decor, set-up, flow, and cleanup. Reading other reviews of the venue was super helpful to ensure we were asking the right questions and following up on pieces that seemed unclear. If you’re looking for an affordable (relative to the rest of NYC), dynamic, and interesting wedding venue, and you’re willing to put in the work or hire a wedding planner, this is definitely a great contender!

ay of the wedding when there were multiple capable staff members present. We very much wanted to get married in NYC, our home for our entire adult lives, but weren't sure we could make it work with our budget. Not only is The Sanctuary incredibly budget friendly, but it is a true unicorn of a place in NYC. No other event space in the boroughs is so spacious, so lovely, so down-to-earth, and yet also one stop from midtown! We received multiple comments from out-of-town guests about how nice it was. Other highlights include: -A very full bar, including great non-alcoholic options as well -DELICIOUS menu; including an extra pasta entree and a great selection of desserts- we didn't need to have a wedding cake due to everything available! -The getting-ready space- multiple rooms and bathrooms available right on site for the wedding party Tell everyone you know about this place!

melia, the event manager, instantly put us at our ease. All the arrangements were taken care of with professional ease and minute attention to detail to items like flowers on every table, sound track selections and lighting. The sightlines of the Sanctury are absolutely spectacular with the East river and upper east side of Manhattan occupying the entire west side. Highly recommended.

vice by waiters and bar staff. Alfonso was wonderful to work with -nothing was too much trouble (and we had many requests).

d, it was the perfect venue to get away from all the hustle and bustle of the city and yet still get a beautiful view of the Manhattan Skyline. The team was also very friendly and supportive to all of our requests and questions. They made sure that our event will go accordingly to what we have envisioned. To top it all off, the food was amazing!!! It is so rare for the celebrants to eat during the event itself but I personally couldn't contain myself. Every dish that was offered during our event was impeccable and there wasn't any miss. There is not one bad thing that I could honestly say about this venue and the team behind. I highly recommend this to everyone!

ing distinct moments throughout the night. Guests both from NYC and from out of town said what a special place it is, and how it felt like seeing a different side of the city. Alfonso and his team went above and beyond, going over our timeline with us to make sure everything would run smoothly, and were very accommodating with some special requests we had. The food also exceeded expectations: people are still telling us how delicious the sea bass and dessert table were in particular, and I’ve never been to a catered event with such perfectly crisp veggies - don’t know how they did it. It was a magical time, we’re so grateful!

lly the best kept secret in New York. Super spacious yet has a cozy feel, unique and every detail was considered. Highly recommended for any kind of event!

ff were attentive and ensured everything ran smoothly, from the details of the decoration to the seamless organization of events. It was a memorable experience for everyone who attended. Highly recommend Sanctuary for any special event

culinary skills were outstanding, with delicious food that impressed all the guests. The setting was beautiful and the atmosphere was perfect for our special occasion. Thank you to Alfonso and Kat for making our day truly memorable.

food was great- the venue is just beautiful, and everyone said what a wonderful time they had. Alfonso helped with the preparations and Kat managed everything day of, so that, along with our wedding planner, we had everything taken care of in an organized way and could just enjoy the most magical day of our lives. It is also more affordable than other venues we looked at, and we loved how special the space is. The twinkly lit tent! The red heart! We will remember it and them forever, and we are forever grateful!

exceptional in facilitating on the day of. We felt completely at ease, knowing everything was being handled efficiently. Frank and Alfonso were always available to address any questions or concerns, ensuring we were happy at every step. Their dedication and attentiveness made a significant difference in our overall experience. Our guests loved the bar and appetizers that were passed around. The food was also outstanding, very delicious! We were able to customize our menu during a planning tasting, and everything turned out as we hoped. One of the venue’s standout features was the attached house, which provided a convenient space for us to get ready, store our belongings, and even have a pre-wedding shot. This added convenience made the day flow much more smoothly. Throughout the day, we experienced no issues or hiccups. The seamless coordination allowed us to fully enjoy our celebration without any stress. We were able to focus on spending time with each other and our loved ones (which is all that really matters). We wouldn’t hesitate to book another event at The Sanctuary, whether it be another wedding or a different occasion. Their exceptional service and beautiful venue made our wedding day all we could hope for!

king forward to our #2 and to the next first birthday celebration, as well as many more parties to come. The staff was super helpful and considerate. The food and drinks great. Our guests were blown away by this hidden NYC gem. We cannot recommend them enough.

eeds. The food and cocktails were wonderful! Everyone had a great time at this beautiful venue!

team in the kitchen crafted a delicious menu and all my guests said how amazing the experience of visiting the Sanctuary was. I would definitely recommend to anyone looking to have an amazing event that isn't so typical cookie cutter catering hall - much more personalized, fun, and special!!

events. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Food was very fresh—vegetarian option was a real meal, not just side dishes! Younger guests loved the pizza bar. Bartenders kept the drinks flowing. Parking was a big plus for guests…venue helped accommodate parking esp for guests with mobility issues. Venue worked well with the dj and photographer…we hope they get an in-house dj soon or an easy sound system for visiting dj to use. If you do a winter event, try to be there when the sun is up and setting….makes the site special and photos look great. Guests really enjoyed themselves. Congratulations! (We had a wedding, but would be nice for anniversaries, big birthdays, etc.)

nation, everything was perfect. Frank and Alfonso were exceptional in managing the event, ensuring that every detail was taken care of, allowing us to truly enjoy our special day. Kat, the chef, prepared the most delicious meals that our guests are still raving about. The food and beverage service was top-notch, with a variety of options that catered to all dietary needs and preferences. What stood out the most was the flexibility and support provided by the team. While their team handled the venue and catering aspects impeccably, they allowed us to bring our own touch to the décor and music, making our wedding uniquely ours. We highly recommend The Sanctuary to any couple looking for a beautiful venue with outstanding service!!