The Sanctuary

The Sanctuary on Roosevelt Island provided the dreamiest backdrop for our wedding last month! Their entire team went above and beyond for us on our big day. Our friends and family raved about the location, the ambiance, the food, the service. About an hour before our ceremony started, it began to pour outside- and we were meant to have an outdoor ceremony! My husband and I sat in our vintage taxi parked out front of the venue, and watched The Sanctuary staff run around in the torrential downpour to save our ceremony and move everything indoors- and the fact that the rain only put us about 15 minutes behind the original schedule?! I’m still not sure how they managed it. Would also like to send a special shout out to Amelia, who more recently joined the Sanctuary team as event coordinator- she was not part of the team when we first signed out contract, but she proved to be an invaluable resource to us on the day of the wedding. She is a fabulous addition! Alfonso gave us our first tour of the venue that made us fall in love with the space. Frank was so patient and kind and answered all of our questions- and even helped us accommodate a last minute addition guest who was originally too ill to attend our wedding but who luckily recovered well enough to be able to come. Thank you again to the Sanctuary team from the bottom of our hearts for helping make our wedding the most magical and special day of our life!

My husband and I had our wedding here in September and we were blown away by the entire experience. All of our guests - from NYC locals to out-of-towners - commented on how magical the venue and the setting were. Alfonso, Kath and Amelia were thoughtful, attentive and SO thorough. They are total pros, and also just lovely people. In addition to all of the beautiful decor, food and ambiance, I have included a photo of Alfonso hand delivering a cocktail to me because he wanted to ensure I enjoyed myself while chatting with the guests. Not pictured: when he brought plates of food to my husband and I to make sure we got to eat! Cannot recommend it more highly!

This is not only a beautiful space but a full service venue. Alfonso the owner handles everything down to the last detail. The food was phenomenal and the bartenders are amazing. 12/10 recommend!!!!

The team at the Sanctuary was truly incredible from start to finish in the planning process and the day of our wedding. We were truly blown away by how stunning the venue is and how 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!

My husband and I got married two weeks ago at The Sanctuary and had the best night! Our guests loved the many features of the venue (the pier, patio, tent, and indoor space), complimented 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!

If we could give them 6 stars, we would! The Sanctuary was incredibly communicative, helpful, and kind from start to finish. Everything was taken care of for us, including on the day 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!

Sanctuary is really an exceptional event space. Very thoughtfully organized and staffed by extremely attentive, accommodating, competent and pleasant people. Our interaction with Amelia, 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.

Such a special venue for our wedding day -it truly was like a fairytale. Gorgeous views of the Manhattan skyline, spectacular event tent and intimate, romantic chapel and great service by waiters and bar staff. Alfonso was wonderful to work with -nothing was too much trouble (and we had many requests).

My mother and I had a joint celebration of our birthdays around late September last year. The venue was everything we could have dreamed of. Since it is situated in Roosevelt Island, 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!

We had our May wedding at the Sanctuary and could not have been happier with the experience. The venue itself was stunning and we loved all the different spaces within it for creating 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!

Such an amazing space! Enjoyed a fabulous 50th birthday party here and cannot rave enough about this venue. Chic, sexy, fun, excellent staff, food was awesome and the VIEW!! Literally 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!

Hosted my 50th birthday party in November 2023 and the entire event was incredible. Had over 150 ppl, open bar, seated tables in the gorgeous outdoor atrium followed by a dance party in the church with a DJ, lights, disco balls and massive dessert tables until the early morn. The staff were amazing, nothing was an issue and everything was seamless. All of my guest continue to comment that the food was amazing - we had a full buffet and carving stations - all prepared on prem. They also obviously loved the location and the stunning view and the decor of the atrium and church. The atrium under the string lights at night is magical - with that view over the East River. The parking was also perfect and none of my guests had any issues getting to/from the venue. I honestly could not have asked for a better event from start to finish. Wish I could do it all again! It was the perfect setting for my event.

We loved our wedding at the Sanctuary, and the team was amazing to work with, always going above and beyond in their communication and desire to make everything perfect for us. The 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!

Our wedding at The Sanctuary on Roosevelt Island was absolutely perfect. The venue itself is stunning, set in a beautifully restored stone church right on the river. The staff were 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!

This was our first child's first birthday, and let's just say we went quite a little bit over the top. The Sanctuary delivered above and beyond any and all expectations. We are looking 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.

We held a dinner for about 200 people attending a conference on Roosevelt Island. The staff was amazing from start to finish. They helped us plan the event and accommodated our needs. The food and cocktails were wonderful! Everyone had a great time at this beautiful venue!

What an amazing venue! The location is such a gem, and everyone we worked with really cared about us and helped us every step of the way, especially Frank and Alfonso. Kat and her 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!!

Nice winter venue even if most of their photos online are for summer events! Their holiday decorations are sufficient—you don’t need extras. Good pricing for off-season and Friday 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.)

We recently had our wedding at The Sanctuary, and it was an absolutely amazing experience. From the stunning waterfront location with breathtaking city views to the seamless coordination, 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!!

Frank, Alfonso, and the entire team at Sanctuary were an absolute pleasure to work with. Their timely responses, consistent communication, and extraordinary efforts to manage my pre-wedding nerves and requests were truly commendable. Kat's culinary skills are Michelin-worthy and will satisfy even the pickiest NYC foodies. The venue feels like a fairytale escape from the city, perfectly capturing and highlighting the stunning skyline and river views. My wedding vision board came to life effortlessly in such a beautiful setting. We are forever grateful for making our special day so easy, memorable, and magical. Thank you, team! We can't wait to return for future anniversaries and celebrations!

I recently hosted a graduation celebration here, and it far exceeded my expectations! The venue itself is stunning, with breathtaking waterfront views of the city. The layout comfortably accommodated our large group of roughly 300 people, and the staff were attentive and professional throughout the event. Frank and Alfonso were a pleasure to work with, providing quick, and clear communication that was helpful in every way. They were extremely accommodating, working around our budget to offer the fairest price possible. The venue also provides ample parking, making it convenient for guests who drive. I highly recommend this place for its beautiful scenery and service. We had a memorable time and look forward to hosting future events here!

We feel so lucky to have gotten married at the Sanctuary! Not only is the venue stunning, but the team was beyond accommodating to our guests. Frank and Alfonzo were so helpful throughout the planning and made our wedding day as stress free as possible. We'd definitely recommend!

I had a negative experience getting married here and I wouldn’t recommend it

Save yourself the money and the heartbreak, and book someone else for your wedding. The entire experience felt scammy, as they offered us a discount and a bunch of extras when we booked to take a less than ideal date, and then tried to get out of providing good customer service after the final payment. Their communication became poor the closer we got to the wedding - at one point, our DJ had to reach out to the venue on our behalf, as they had stopped answering completely. Clearly the communication between the two owners, Frank and Alfonso, was not great either, as Alfonso took over and the promises Frank made to get us to book were no longer a given, especially when it came to money. We had to remind him and fight with him over things we were told would be part of our wedding when we booked, and some of them were not delivered (or ever able to be delivered, and should never have been promised to us by Frank). The pier advertised for an outdoor ceremony is not their property, but NYS, and therefore wasn’t available to us for our wedding because it was under construction. They never told us that - I had to reach out and ask when I began seeing a different ceremony spot on their instagram. Be aware: it doesn’t seem like the new ceremony spot is their property either. The arch had to be set up inside the venue, then the staff would move it to the new pier shortly before the wedding. They didn’t secure it when they moved it, and our arch broke prior to our ceremony. Frank and Alfonso promised one of them would be the included day of coordinator. Neither of them showed up for the wedding, nor did they have the decency to tell us they couldn’t make it. After I sent two emails following our wedding, we were told we did have a day of coordinator. It was the chef, who let us in the morning, and gave us our cake at the end of the night, and whom we never saw or spoke to otherwise. This was particularly frustrating, as I had asked at one point via an email [that they ignored] about speaking to the day of coordinator ahead of the wedding, and an included day of coordinator was a main reason we booked them. They also: left other wedding decor out during our wedding, packed up our decor for the lounge before the cocktail hour even started, didn’t make our signature cocktail [one of the upsells they included during our tour], and used someone’s fourieth birthday napkins during cocktail hour despite us bringing custom cocktail napkin. The firepit was another main reason we booked and they both told us it would be included. Not only was it not included, THERE WAS NO FIREPIT ON PREMISE. The outdoor heaters weren’t lit by the staff, and when my dad tried to light them, they had no propane, so they weren’t even prepared for guests to utilize their advertised outdoor space. The food was horrendous, overcooked and cold, a total 180 from our incredible tasting back after we booked. The other cocktails were prebatched and gross. The real kicked for the cost: water was not included or served during dinner like it was during the tasting. You had to get up and serve yourself water out of a plastic jug and tiny little cup a la an office. The entire experience felt like a bait and switch, where they promised us the world to get us to book and then provided us as little as they could get away day of. I highly recommend you avoid this venue if you want to save yourself the stress and the tears and just spend the money elsewhere.

It’s hard to put into words how much The Sanctuary means to us. Our wedding was beyond anything we could have imagined and it’s all thanks to The Sanctuary & the amazing team that brings their events to life! From day 1 of visiting the venue, we felt like Frank, Alfonso & team had our backs and would support us however needed. Their affordable full-service model made wedding planning as stress-free as it can be. The food was amazing—friends and family are still talking about the pizza & dessert stations! And the whole staff was just so lovely and so accommodating. They even helped us switch our entire ceremony setup in under 10 min when the NYC weekend rain let up enough to allow an outdoor ceremony. They forever will have advocates in us!

An absolute DREAM of a venue. Could not have asked for a more perfect experience!! Not only is The Sanctuary a stunning, all-inclusive, affordable venue in NEW YORK CITY, it's also run by an incredibly caring and dedicated team. From our venue tour to our wedding day, we felt 1000% taken care of. Alfonso and team are 100% committed to making your wedding perfect, no matter the size, style, religion, or weather. Cannot recommend enough!!!