Venues similiar to the River Cafe in NYC

crazyglue007

Hi there,

Fiance and I found our DREAM wedding location... The River Cafe at Dumbo.  It's a verdent garden of lush greens and flowers amid a majestic Manhattan backdrop with a private river terrace.  It's the perfect mix of what we are looking for.  NYC vibe + nature.  It's refined bohemian romance.  HOWEVER, they are quoting us $275 pp + 20% admin fee + tip + cake plating fee + ceremoney fee (1000) + sparking wine by the bottle + 3% credit card fee + tax.  After all that, it's coming out to be about $417 per person with a 50 person min on Saturday nights.  Which I think is kind of nuts.

The brunch menu is a little bit more reasonable at $130pp with the same surcharges.  But it means I will have be married at 11am.  I am really not a morning person and I rather not rush to my own wedding.

Does anyone know of anything that has the same sensibility of River Cafe (romantic) but is around $225 pp that's all inclusive for about 30 - 50 guests?

I would love to have the ceremony on site as well if it's got a killer view.   Please share!  Thank you so much!
 

sjnsjnsjn

What about doing a Friday night?  Maybe on a different month?  If it's really your dream location, have you talked to them about when to hold it so it could be cheaper?  The credit card fee is ludicrous - I mean, really!? 

What about Bridgewaters?  Down by the seaport -g reat view
Bubby's has a nice view of Bklyn Bridge, but no outdoors.
Battery Gardens has a nice view of the water, and some outdoors areas.
I feel like there's a place in Queens right on the water, but it's escaping me...
New Leaf, up at Fort Tryon Park, has a great view over the Hudson.
For romantic, I think the boathouses (both Central Park & Prospect Park) are really lovely.... or either the NY or Brooklyn Botanical Gardens?
Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers has a great view, and the Top Deck at Seamen's Church Institute is supposed to have stunning views., but I've never been...
Hope that gives you a start!
Good luck!

crazyglue007

I know? I am surprised they are really being nickel and dime about it.  If it's just $275 a person I would do it but it's already so pricey, I just can't imagine paying $417 a person for a 5 hour affair.  I did write back and offer to be very flexible about all our details so I hope they will come to their senses and let me drop a smaller bucket of cash.

I am definitely going to check out Bridge waters.  Both boathouses were too expensive for me but now seeing what the River Cafe is charging... I think I might have to rethink those options.  New Leaf has a 15k min for summer to close down the resturant.   I should also rethink Battery Gardens....  I wish there is a cute little resto in dumbo that's got a garden with a crazy lower manhattan view.   Maybe I should look into event spaces in Dumbo in general....

dianas76

The owners of the River Cafe also own the Water Club on Manhattan's east side. Beautiful views. I have eaten dinner there, and went to an event a very long time again. Food is excellent. Not sure about pricing for a wedding, but it wouldn't hurt to give them a call.  Phone number is (212) 545-1155

sjnsjnsjn

Maybe you should check into places on the water in NJ - they should be cheaper and might have a sick view of Manhattan!?  Good luck! 
I'm sure you've considered it, but if 'the garden' is really for the ceremony, you could do your ceremony at BB Park and have the reception at Bubby's, right there... Not really the 'romance' kind of vibe, though... more minimalist and urban.  Nice though.

Edited b/c I just remembered the Waterfront Museum in Red Hook and Bargemusic in DUMBO.  Both used to do weddings - not sure they still do... But they'd have the views, for sure.

lisalou402

The other place in Long Island City is THe Water's Edge...there is just the view though.  The entry is very industrial and the inside looks very dated.  But the view is spectacular. 

They quoted me the same price for a Sunday that Battery Gardens did for a December wedding at $120/pp.  That was Sunday twilight.  We couldn't do a Sat night there because they guaranteed 150 people.

We wound up at Battery Gardens on a Saturday night, which for December is at $120/pp.

For $275pp I would rather be at the Palm House at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens!

There is also Giando on the Water  www.giandoonthewater.com
Which i didn't look at, but people told me was really nice.  Close to River's Edge.

lisalou402

And oh, the other place i forgot, that isn't as gardeny, is STeiner Studios at the Brooklyn Navy Yard...that was too pricey for me though, as you have to bring in all the decorations etc.  But the place is stunning.  I was obsessed for abotu 3 days with having a wedding there until i came to my monetary senses.  But if you're at $275 for River Cafe, it may be better for you.

Really pretty views and a great catering menu.

Rachiemoo

could you possibly get married in one of the parks by dumbo and then just have a reception at a restaurant in brooklyn heights / dumbo?  i'm not sure how many guests you are having but this could be a more affordable option.  the only negative is you'd have to have a back up plan if it rains.

LD2011

We are having our wedding next May at Bridgewaters- we looked at Battery Gardens but for the price they quoted me Bridgewaters is a much better deal because it includes the cake, stations/open bar. We are working with Eva who is great!

tychandler

I went to see Giando's on the Water in Williamsburgh today, it had amazing waterfront views and the price was around 120pp.  You can have your ceremony outside with the bridges as your backdrop, the ballroom is not so spectacular. It's nice, just not wow.  So I decided to go with a different venue.  But if you like the River Cafe, this might be just what you are looking for. Just ask for Joe

sararapoport

I'm getting married at Bridgewaters, if you would like any information PM me! It's MUCH cheaper than you were quoted...!!
Sara