Part of the New York borough of Queens, Long Island City is a fantastic place to explore. Home to MoMA PS1, an offshoot of New York's famous modern art museum, this once-industrial waterfront offers stunning views of Manhattan and a lively and vibrant atmosphere, providing something a little different from the rest of the city. It's also a great spot to discover a premier event venue.
The ever-rising cost of living in New York has pushed many businesses out into other boroughs, and Long Island City, NY, has been a beneficiary of this process. Tons of amazing wedding venues and other event spaces have opened to take advantage of the views of the Manhattan skyline and its budget-friendly offerings.
Giggster can help you find whatever you're looking for in a New York City wedding, whether it's a luxurious rooftop wedding venue or something more traditional. We curate the very best venues for corporate events and private events like birthday parties, graduations, rehearsal dinners, and of course, weddings, so you can find a traditional location or a sleek and modern venue in a neighborhood that has it all.
Giggster makes event planning easier than ever before. We curate the best wedding venues in Long Island City so that you can find a place that's perfect for you. Whether you need plenty of natural, sleek modern elegance, or amazing views, you can browse our app to find the perfect setting and start planning your celebration.
Long Island City is known for its scenic views, so choose a wedding venue that lets you take advantage of that. Outdoor spaces like a beautiful rooftop deck can give you incredible views of Prospect Park, the iconic Queensboro Bridge, and the glittering skyscrapers of Manhattan.
If you're looking for a blank slate, think about a warehouse or industrial space with floor-to-ceiling windows flooded with abundant natural light. These venues offer a blank canvas for your ideas and can be the perfect location for real weddings, combining meticulously restored details with high ceilings, panoramic views, and all the space you could possibly need.
Long Island City has some great event spaces that are built for celebration. Large enough to accommodate all your guests, a designated event space can make the planning process easier, as many venues come with lighting, sound systems, and everything you need.
Embrace a truly New York atmosphere by exchanging vows in a loft. Close to the vibrant life of this fascinating neighborhood, these venues can help you enjoy the very best of the city, both before and after your wedding. This type of modern venue boasts all the comforts of home, along with that unmistakable New York flavor.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: With 1816 Long Island City wedding venues to choose from, you'll have plenty of options for a memorable ceremony. Giggster curates some of the best wedding venues in the city so you can find whatever you're looking for.
Hassle-Free Booking: You can browse the Giggster app by price, location, or amenities, and contact the host directly if you have any questions. With venues starting at just $17/hour, you can find an amazing space for you and your guests and create the NYC wedding of your dreams.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Our cancellation policy protects you if you change your mind. You can cancel your booking with no charge within 24 hours of confirmation, as long as you booked more than 48 hours before your wedding.
Platform Protections: For total peace of mind, you can add optional accidental damage, liability, or cancellation protection to your booking. Enjoy an incredible location like Daylight Photoshoot Creative Studio without worrying about what might happen.
Long Island City is a great destination for any event, including a wedding, with so many things to do and so many great places to rent. However, it's always a good idea to know what you're getting into before you start booking. Let's look at some of the pros and cons.
Advantages
Being in New York is enough of a selling point by itself. Planning your wedding here means you have access to some of the fanciest restaurants, top attractions, and world-class entertainment. Your guests will have plenty to see and do outside your wedding itself, and you'll be able to find caterers, entertainers, and everything else you need here.
Long Island City is easy to reach. New York's public transit system is one of the best in the world, so you can get here from any of the five boroughs and beyond.
Sometimes you can't really see a place when you're in it. Long Island offers some of the best views of Manhattan, so if you're looking for a scenic backdrop for your wedding, you might be better off here than anywhere else.
Disadvantages
As with most things in New York, great venues can be in high demand. Book early to avoid disappointment, especially during the spring and summer wedding seasons.
Giggster can help you find affordable rentals even in New York, but be aware that you'll pay a lot more for caterers, decorators, entertainment, and other services here than you would in many other places.
LIC's grungy, postindustrial vibe isn't for everyone. If you want to get married in a warehouse or loft, this is a fantastic place, but if you prefer something more historic or traditional, a different neighborhood might suit you better.
Long Island City provides a great alternative to Manhattan for weddings and other events. Take a look at the 1816 locations on offer on Giggster, and decide what kind of event you want to create for your big day.
Art and Dance Studios – Tons of Natural Light. This highly creative neighborhood is full of art and dance studios. These can make wonderful spaces for a wedding, with their open layouts and tons of natural light.
Warehouses and Industrial Spaces – Space for Anything. If there's one thing LIC isn't short of, it's industrial spaces. This former working neighborhood has so many great warehouses, factories, and other buildings that offer a blank slate for your creativity.
Lofts – Elegance and Modernity. The city is also home to some spectacular lofts. If you want amazing views and all the conveniences, choose one of these venues and say your "I do's" overlooking New York.
Private Houses – The Comforts of Home. As you head further into Queens, you can find more of the suburban lifestyle. A private home offers privacy and comfort, and you can find some lovely homes in this area.
Bars and Restaurants – Ready-made Atmosphere. To keep things simple, use a bar or restaurant to give you a ready-made atmosphere. With their own decor and food options, these venues can make wedding planning even easier.
Great weddings don't just happen. Once you've found the perfect venue located where you want, don't overlook these other important factors.
How Will People Get There? Long Island City is well-connected, thanks to New York's reliable public transportation network. However, New York is not a place where anyone wants to drive. Think about how you will bring your guests to your venue to give them a stress-free travel experience.
Think About Weather – There's something special about an outdoor wedding, but New York weather doesn't always cooperate. Don't rely on the weather being nice, especially in the off-season. Instead, book a venue that you can enjoy no matter what happens outside.
How Will You Structure Your Wedding? The options here are virtually limitless, but it's a good idea to have a plan. Traditional weddings are arranged for you, but if you are planning to do something out of the ordinary, you'll need to think about the ceremony and the reception afterward.
One Venue, or More? A truly versatile venue can work as both the setting for your wedding ceremony and your reception. That can also help you save money and make logistics easier. However, you might want to take advantage of multiple venues for both the ceremony and the after party, in which case you'll need to think about what you need for each component of your wedding.
It's probably not news to you that New York is not a cheap place. Giggster can help you find some real bargains on venues, especially in Long Island City. But to save even more money, consider some of these ideas:
What can you do yourself?
Tap into your network of friends and family in search of hidden skills. If you know someone who can sing or play an instrument, ask them if they would be willing to provide entertainment so that you don't have to hire out.
Plan the food.
New York's culinary scene is second to none, but don't get carried away. Remember that buffet-style dining is usually cheaper, or you could see if you can get a local food truck to cater the event for an affordable price.
Don't overdo the party favors.
It's nice to give your guests something to take away, but what they will really treasure are the memories of your wedding. Provide them a link to the wedding photos they can access online, and skip the unnecessary gifts.
In many ways, Long Island City offers the best of all worlds. You get the excitement and the panoramic views of New York City, but you also get a more affordable and less crowded option for enjoying the city. Let the Giggster app help you find the ideal wedding venue in this ever-evolving neighborhood and make it the setting for your big day.
