5 Stunning Garden Wedding Venues Near New York City

Do you love stunning green details, well-kept lawns, and lush gardens? Would you like to dress like Downton Abbey at your wedding? Surprisingly, couples in New York City don't have to go very far to have a beautiful garden wedding. These stunning green spaces, which range from neighborhood botanical gardens and Riverdale parks to farm-to-table haylofts and Rockefeller-style estates up the Hudson, are the ideal option for the city couple to escape the concrete jungle as they say "I do."

Brooklyn Botanical Garden

At the 52-acre Brooklyn Botanic Garden, venue versatility is what has everyone in love with it. Before continuing to celebrate in the Palm House (which can accommodate 250 guests) or the Atrium, couples have the option of having their ceremony in one of three gardens: the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, the Italianate Osborne Garden, or the Cranford Rose Garden (that hosts 125 guests). The Patina Restaurant Group's exclusive management of oversees the catering throughout the property.  Keep in mind you must additionally pay a site fee to the Garden itself, which is donated in part for the Garden's preservation.

Wave Hill

The Riverdale section of the Bronx is home to the lush, green estate known as Wave Hill, which boasts 28 acres of lovely gardens, old buildings, and breathtaking views of the Hudson and New Jersey Palisades. It's a fantastic option for couples in NYC who want a garden-side party without leaving the city limits. Wave Hill is conveniently close to Manhattan and is accessible to visitors coming from Westchester, Connecticut, and northern New Jersey. It is only 30 minutes from the heart of Manhattan.

If you're looking for a small intimate wedding this is the place for you. Every event is intimate because weddings only happen in the evenings after the grounds close, from the ceremony outside under the pergola to the first dance inside the old Armor House to stunning photographs in the quiet Aquatic Garden. Exclusive caterer Great Performances offers farm-to-table fare and uses its own Katchkie Farm in Columbia Country, New York, for practically all of the event's culinary elements.

Blue Hill at Stone Barns

At both its New York City restaurant and Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Blue Hill has developed a reputation for sophisticated farm-to-table cuisine, generous hospitality, and elegant design over.  The Pocantico Hills agro-restaurant has two distinct eating areas: the magnificent HayLoft space, which can welcome weddings for up to 260 guests, and the dining room, which seats 14 people and has a reservation calendar that rivals the fanciest city restaurants.

The HayLoft is the top of the top for culinary couple weddings. At Blue Hill at Stone Barns, no culinary detail is ignored, making the dinner a celebration unto itself. Blue Hill has now introduced On the Road, bringing the business' illustrious cuisine, crew, elegance, and expertise to weddings outside the greater New York City area, for couples want a little of the Blue Hill experience outside of NYC and Westchester.

New York Botanical Gardens

The New York Botanical Gardens' so-close-yet-so-far vibe has long been a favorite among couples in New York City.  Its storied grounds and magnificent Palm Court conservatory provide a sense of being else where in the world. That feeling has been enhanced even more since renowned restaurateur Stephen Starr (of Buddakan, Morimoto, and Caffe Storico fame) acquired catering.

Starr offers seated dinner parties for up to 350 guests in a variety of reception spaces, including the large Garden Terrace, a traditional ballroom with hand-painted murals and oversized arched windows overlooking the arboretum. The freshly refurbished Stone Mill, the city's first LEEDS certified event facility,  is where smaller weddings with up to 100 guests are seated. There are various places in the garden where ceremonies can be held, and each area has a different site charge.

Sayens House and Gardens

These gardens offer a tranquil, picture-perfect outdoor garden setting and are tucked away in the historic Hamilton Square. The Sayen House and Gardens are a delight for admirers of Impressionist paintings, nature, and gardens.  Chinese, Japanese, and English flower varieties sparkle throughout the gardens. If you're fortunate enough to have your wedding in the spring, you'll be astounded by the richness of dogwoods, azaleas, and rhododendrons. However, the gardens are incredibly stunning all year long. Your wedding photos, whether they were taken over a white trellis bridge or next to magnificent gazebos, will be cherished forever. The Sayen House and Gardens offer a wedding experience that is rich in natural beauty and history.

Sayen Gardens is accessible for a range of events and gatherings, in addition to providing the stunning environment as nature's ideal backdrop. With appropriate authorization, ceremonies outside may be planned. The Mansion can accommodate up to 98 guests.