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Weddings

About

The Riverside Church is spacious and elegant wedding venue located in New York, New York with extensive experience uniting interfaith, heterosexual, and same-sex couples. This space boasts beautiful architecture and stunning views, perfect for breathtaking photos. The Riverside Church is a historic location that sits on the historic Upper West Side overlooking the Hudson River. The church features a large ceremony area and a variety of event halls ideal for receptions, rehearsal dinners, and more. This church can cater to all party sizes, big and small, and can accommodate to a couple’s distinct style, vision, and budget.

Facilities and Capacity
This venue has a number of facilities that can cater to large affairs and intimate gatherings. From the Christ Chapel, that can hold 100 wedding guests, to the South Hall, that can accommodate 500 wedding guests, couples have plenty of options to choose from. They also have get-ready rooms for the couple and their designated bridal parties. The Riverside Church provides many halls that can be transformed into a number of different floor plans, including long tables and circle tables, to accommodate a couple’s catering choices. Whether you’re having a small ceremony of 25 people or a reception of over 100 guests, their staff can lead couples in the right direction when it comes to catering, venue selection, vendor management, and more.

Services Offered
This iconic and historic church can easily host a couple’s ceremony, reception, cocktail hour, and reception dinner. Their services include an experienced event planner, setup, and cleanup. Their spaces boast a variety of amenities, including a wood-burning fireplace, an open floor plan flexible for a variety of event designs, large gothic-style spaces, stone pillars, a stage for entertainment, a lobby, and more.

History
The church is modeled after the 13th Century gothic cathedral in France. The very first service was held in 1930, and since then has been graced by presidents, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and more.

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

Which of the following are included in the starting site fee?

Chairs
Set Up
Tables

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

12

Describe your venue:

Banquet Hall
Historic Building
Religious

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception

What event services do you offer?

Event Planner
Get Ready Rooms

Reviews of The Riverside Church

E
Eric Sent on 03/23/2018
5 out of 5 rating
Riverside Church made our wedding dreams come true. Look no further if you are looking to have the best wedding imaginable. Angela (wedding coordinator) is amazing!!! Thank you Riverside Church.. I couldnt have imagined a more beautiful venue and service
D
Dana Sent on 01/11/2018
5 out of 5 rating
These are stunning photos and an amazing venue. My favorite place to buy wedding gifts and decor I always go to www.5thavestore.com. Check them out they are amazing!
C
Christina Sent on 10/21/2017
5 out of 5 rating
We held our wedding ceremony and reception at The Riverside Church and it was truly a dream come true. Ceremony & Reception Highlights: The church speaks for itself and the Nave Chapel was so stunning that we didn't need to add any additional flowers for our ceremony. Our church-appointed pastor was incredibly warm and led a beautiful ceremony that we'll always remember. We held our formal evening reception in Assembly Hall which comfortably accommodated our cocktail hour and sit-down dinner for 175+ guests and looked stunning with uplighting. Working with the church's on-site coordinators Angela and Patrice was easy and straight forward and all of the staff including the building manager Don were wonderfully helpful on our wedding day. We selected Soleil (now Voila) caterers and our guests are still raving about the cocktail hour and entrees. We were so happy with The Riverside Church and now we'll always be able to think back to our wedding at this beautiful and historic location!
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Helene Sent on 12/23/2014
5 out of 5 rating
My wedding here (ceremony and reception) was a dream come true. We had a winter wedding and the 9th floor ballroom had the perfect ambiance for it: the fireplace was lit, and with our buffet dinner, DJ, sweetheart table, 125 guests, dance floor and cake the room was cozy but not crowded. Angela, the church's wedding coordinator, really knows her stuff. On the day of, I did not have to worry about a thing. Not one thing. Do not be put off if Angela is a little short in her emails. She is just very busy, but is kind, professional and really, really good at what she does.

The ceremony was in the Christ Chapel, which was also cozy and intimate. We were a little nervous because we got matched to our minister blindly, but it turned out to be quite a blessing, because we could not have imagined a better minister than Rev. Carlo. She suited our style and beliefs perfectly and was so helpful in creating a ceremony that was perfect for us (we're not very religious). The organist was great, and the church was accommodating in allowing my friend to use their piano to play a musical selection during the ceremony.

This venue was also perfect for a winter wedding because our guests parked in the garage in the basement (additional fee), came upstairs and checked their coats before the ceremony, then took the elevator up for the cocktail hour and reception, and got their coats at the end. Very, very convenient.

We were so, so happy with Riverside, and would recommend them in a heartbeat.
User1531537
User1531537 Sent on 02/10/2014
5 out of 5 rating
we held our ceremony and reception at The Riverside Church and it was spectacular. the venue is breathtaking. we were married in the Nave, had the cocktail hour in the South Hall Foyer, and held the reception in the Assembly Hall.

the wedding coordinator, Angela Gregory, is very responsive and on point. she made sure everything was organized and on time. she responded to each of my emails within a day (and most often, within hours or minutes). we needed a sign language interpreter and she helped organize that through the church's deaf ministry.

the in-house caterer Masterpiece Caterers (recently changed its name from Pasha Events) was superb. the food was delicious and the service was excellent. we worked with Leigh Hall-Wilhelm, who is just amazing. she was always available for questions and is really easygoing and very knowledgeable.

our officiant was Rev. Eugene Palmore. he is a wonderful person and created a lovely and personal ceremony for us. he spent time getting to know us and that really shone through. we received a number of compliments on his ceremony and his speaking voice! he is a trained singer and has a seriously smooth speaking voice.

overall we had a perfect day. there were zero glitches. everyone was friendly and professional. i recommend the Riverside Church without hesitation.
A
Andrea Sent on 01/09/2013
5 out of 5 rating
Fantastic beautiful church and wonderful experience planning our wedding. Thank you Angela and Martha!
M
Marguerite Sent on 12/19/2010
5 out of 5 rating
This is a long overdue raving review of Riverside, where we were married in October.

Riverside Church is one of the most beautiful spaces in the city. I never thought I would be as lucky to get married in such a magnificent church. Many of our guests, most of them native New Yorkers, commented at how surprised they were that they hadn't known about this place. The location was perfect for us - whether our guests were on the subway, driving, or cabbing it, no one had an issue.

We were married in the Nave, which is just breathtaking. The sound of the organ and the beautiful ambience of a cathedral was a dream. I felt like a princess walking down that aisle with my father. Our minister, Reverand Dr. Arnold Thomas, gave a beautiful ceremony and welcomed everyone so warmly.

After the ceremony, we had a cocktail hour on the 10th Floor and then a sit-down reception on the 9th Floor. I can't even count how many of my guests thanked me tremendously that they didn't have to travel between the ceremony and reception. That was another key reason we chose this church.

The space on the 9th and 10th floors is fantastic. You have beautiful tall ceilings, huge windows looking east and west (over the hudson) and our timing in the fall was perfect to catch a sunset and the changing leaves. The rooms are perfect for a wedding.

The food and drinks at both the cocktail hour and the dinner were exceptional. People are still raving to us how they have never been to such a wedding with such amazing food. I wrote another review for their in-house caterer, Pasha Events, but to summarize - with my husband in the restaurant business and many industry folks in attendance, we had a lot of people to impress, and everyone was thrilled.

Angela, the wedding coordinator, was amazing. She is so personable, kind, and intelligent. She treated us like our wedding was the most important one, and in fact, when we stopped by a few times just to see the space, or do our tasting, or meet with Rev. Arnold, we always stopped in to say hello to her. She really knows what she is doing, and while incorporating your ideas makes your dream day so stress-free. I didn't have to worry about anything!

I cannot thank Riverside Church enough and would recommend to anyone to get married there. This was the best day of our lives. We are already trying to think of excuses to do another event there.
L
Lauren Sent on 06/06/2014
4.9 out of 5 rating
The Riverside church was beautiful! Our guests were completely in awe. We loved, loved, loved our Reverend Eugene Palmore--he was so responsive, accommodating, warm, and gave us an amazingly beautiful ceremony. Working with Angela, Patricia, and Donny really made everything go so smoothly. Beforehand, I could tell everything would run like clockwork, but I couldn't tell how accommodating and flexible and comfortable the entire experience from rehearsal dinner to wedding night would be! Working with Leigh at Pasha was amazing! She was incredibly responsive and informative and everything great. Having everything in one place from the ceremony to cocktails and reception was the best decision we made for our wedding. The ceremony was gorgeous and breathtaking, the cocktails with a view of the river was classy and perfect, and the reception with its unique design and feel was everything we wanted it to be and more. Everyone at the venue took care of everything and thought of even more than I could have imagined. Absolutely perfect.
A
Athalie Sent on 01/09/2014
4.8 out of 5 rating
Riverside Church was an unbelievable venue and experience. The church is breathtaking. Our guest could not stop talking about the grandness and beauty of the church. There are many options for pictures and the spaces are amazing. Our photographer commented that he has done a lot of weddings in his 15 year career and this church was by far one of the most gorgeous he has been in.

The wedding coordinator Angela Gregory is the most organized and efficient coordinator you could ask for. Her attention to detail and ability to effortlessly coordinate all details was a breath of fresh air and relief. I did not have to think about anything on that day. She was on top of everything making my life and the MOH life a lot easier.

The reception area and cocktail hour were spectacular. The detailed ceilings, grand piano, beams and candelabras were perfect for our vintage affair. Absolutely stunning.
CharLena
Charlena Sent on 08/31/2012
4.8 out of 5 rating
Ms. Gregory gets straight to the point efficiently. Prior to event and during the rehearsal for the ceremony she is available to answer any and all questions. She is a caring individual who takes care of the brides on the day of the event and keeps the whole ceremony on schedule. The summer months are especially tight for weddings, often there is no wiggle room for late starting weddings due unforeseen circumstances. The entire wedding party, must be on point and on schedule.

We were married in the chapel, by the minister of my choice, (Rev. J. A. Forbes, jr.) and it was a beautiful ceremony. The pictures were lovely as was the ambiance.
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Awards

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The Riverside Church frequently asked questions

The Riverside Church includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Chairs
  • Set Up
  • Tables
The space offered by The Riverside Church for wedding events is known for:
  • Banquet Hall
  • Historic Building
  • Religious
The Riverside Church offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
The Riverside Church offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
The Riverside Church offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Event Planner
  • Get Ready Rooms
The Riverside Church is recommended by 91% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.5 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.7 in value, 4.6 in quality of service, 4.6 in professionalism, 4.5 in average response time and 4.3 in flexibility.
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