Inexpensive venues in NYC

What's your budget?

We are having an inexpensive wedding in NYC next summer. Aiming to come in around $20-$22k for 90 people. We are getting married in Central Park, and then we arranged a buyout of a restaurant on Central Park West.

Did you try the vendor tab? May is probably going to be booked at most venues, but be flexible on the date and you'll find something.

If you don't have a venue, you don't have a date. 8 months in NYC is cutting it close. I would edit your title and put "paging Celia"...she is a vendor who works in the area and may have suggestions for you.

Budget is about $5k... It probably doesn't sound like much but I do not want us to go into debt paying for this wedding. I'm thinking of drastically reducing guest list and having it in our own backyard or public park... Is a central park wedding expensive?

I tried a few places I found on the venue tab but I'll keep trying.

I have found that the more affordable venues are in Queens, which has many banquet halls. My list is at home, so I will try to remember to edit this post when I get home. Also, try Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem. For the events Ive attended, their food was awesome and they are pretty affordable for NY. I believe their wedding packages start at $80pp (which includes beer and wine).

I really appreciate the input, very helpful

Try Tosca Marquee in the Bronx, they have affordable packages

50 people for $5k in NYC is not going to happen - I'm sorry to say. Hmmm....maybe immediately family only? And that's if you two don't have a bunch of siblings. You also have to factor in a dress, you could do your own hair/make-up. Vistaprint for invites, etc. A courthouse wedding and a nice restaurant after could work - but with less than half of those guests.

I booked my venue in February and there isn't anything left for 2017.

Have you looked at restaurants?

I agree with pp that the most affordable venues are in queens. Mostly banquet halls, there's charisma ballroom on Main Street that's very affordable.

ETA: My sister got married there ( Saturday afternoon wedding with 75 guests ) I think Dinner starts at $19.95 depending on what you choose. She planned her wedding in 3 months because her husband was being deployed.

I already have a dress (got it on sale). Could reduce guest list, just close family and friends. Maybe I could do a small ceremony in the park?

Is getting an officiant expensive?

I can't say what it would cost to have a ceremony in a park, but my officiant is $500 for a customized ceremony. $400 w/o. That's average for our area.

OP have you considered waiting another year and increasing that budget to $10k?

You know call some places around

There may be someone that may have cancelled and will offer a great discount since it's less than a year

Maybe rent some community center if they have rooms and get some catered food buffet style

Someone on here posted a 6k wedding they did

But it was in another state so it was much less but might give you tips

You might be able to get a deal if you book something between January and April. That's when venues in the Albany area seem to offer cheaper prices.

If you wanted to come upstate, prices are lower for sure, but not cheap by any means. You could do a Friday or a Sunday wedding in winter in Albany for under $100/pp after tax and tip with open bar though.