The Sanctuary

Let me start off by saying that I don’t typically leave reviews, but I needed to leave one for this amazing team and venue! We just had our wedding there this February, and WOW!!!!! 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!

We had an amazing experience with the Sanctuary. The service, friendliness and attention to detail was excepcional from the first moment we met the staff. It is very easy to notice how passionate they are about making every event perfect. The food was delicious (I just couldn’t get enough), and the drink selection pretty good. I can’t wait to plan my next event with them! I truly had an amazing time. Thank you so much

We absolutely loved our wedding at The Sanctuary! We initially worked with Amelia and then with Arthur and Kat towards the end of our planning process. Every contact at The Sanctuary was very responsive and accommodating. We loved the space, especially having multiple different areas for guests to enjoy (the chapel for dancing/desserts, the tent for dinner/conversation, and the outdoor patio for smores!) and the beautiful NYC skyline in the background. The bridal suite where we all got ready was spacious and comfortable. I was a little nervous about the temperature in the tent during a November wedding, but it was very comfortable!
We will always be grateful to The Sanctuary for our beautiful wedding!

We had an amazing experience working with The Sanctuary. We could not believe how accommodating the team was in making our dream day come to life.
Each step along the way felt luxurious, 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.

I spent a year planning my wedding with The Sanctuary. They were extremely accommodating and patient with all of my requests and questions. I had no trouble communicating with them 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.

We had our wedding at The Sanctuary on Roosevelt Island, and honestly it was amazing!! All our friends couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful the place was. The vibe was so romantic and chill at the same time, with the city view and cozy atmosphere it felt like a little hidden gem in NYC. 💫

The price was super fair for what we got! totally worth it. The facilities were clean and modern, food and drinks were sooo good (everyone kept saying that!), and the staff were just the best, super nice, responsive, and helped us with literally everything.

They made sure everything went smoothly and even helped us with small details we didn’t think about. We couldn’t have picked a better venue.

10/10 would recommend to any couple looking for something special in the city! 🥰💍

As two people who work in events, we came into wedding planning with a clear vision and high expectations — and The Sanctuary exceeded every single one.

Not only is the venue absolutely 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.

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!

We just had our wedding at The Sanctuary and are still glowing about it. I am struggling to think of any constructive criticism, so I will just list the things we loved about the experience.

1. Planning/Coordination: Wedding planning is no one's favorite activity, but Kat and Arthur and the rest of the staff made it as painless as it could be. They were quick to respond to any questions we had, flexible when we had custom requests and last-minute changes, and were very transparent about costs and what is/isn't included. No last-second surprise charges either. We had a few on-site visits to talk through details, and each time we were offered prosecco. :)
2. The venue itself: NYC locals and out-of-towners alike loved the location and ambiance. We had a late September wedding, and the combination of indoor/outdoor locations with Manhattan as the backdrop made for a stunning setting. The pier location for the ceremony was great (with cooperating weather, of course) and could seat 150 guests (although it was a bit tight). Guests could lounge on the patio if they needed a break from the action and get a view of the city, and the indoor former church grounds area made for a cool dance area. The lighting and aesthetic were already so pretty on their own that they needed little additional decoration. The only things we needed to provide were signage, table decorations, and miscellaneous things like guest books/card boxes/etc., which we handled. The getting-ready area was very nice and spacious, and was available for use 6 hours before the ceremony, with the staff ready to serve you a drink.
3. The food/drinks: Guests commented on how the venue-provided food was not only great but incredibly plentiful. We got treated to a tasting months before the wedding; although we couldn't taste-test every item on the menu, it gave us a good idea, and the quality was consistently high (even with the items we chose that weren't available for testing). The staff handled a plethora of dietary restrictions with ease. Guests were treated to a four-course meal (not to mention the pizza oven they got going after dinner for late-night snacks). The open bar package was great, even at the basic level (which we got).
4. Staff: Every member of the staff was professional, nice, and made us feel at home.
5. Community integration: The Sanctuary are responsible citizens of Roosevelt Island—adhering to all noise ordinances (limit outside noise after 10 p.m., which didn't put a damper on the party at all)—and they also hold an annual event for the residents of the island.
6. Pricing: Weddings aren't cheap and this wasn't either, but it was very reasonable compared to the other NYC venues we toured.

We thoroughly enjoyed our experience at The Sanctuary and we can only hope that we come back as guests for another wedding!

We had our wedding at The Sanctuary, and it was truly the most incredible experience! From start to finish, the team made everything so easy for us. They handled every detail, from the flowers and vases to the menus and table settings, and everything was absolutely beautiful. The coordinators and staff were amazing to work with. They were so helpful, organized, and made sure the entire day ran smoothly, which allowed us to just relax and enjoy every moment. Our guests couldn’t stop raving about how unique and stunning the venue was, we heard so many compliments throughout the night. We absolutely loved our wedding day at The Sanctuary and can’t thank the team enough for making it so special. Highly recommend this venue to anyone looking for a beautiful, unique space with a team that truly goes above and beyond!

The Sanctuary on Roosevelt Island is a gem. From the stunning waterfront views to the intimate, upscale atmosphere, every detail feels thoughtfully curated. The staff is warm and attentive, and the food and cocktails are consistently top-notch. Whether you're hosting a private event or enjoying a quiet evening out, The Sanctuary offers a truly unique and memorable experience.