The Sanctuary RI

All-inclusive venue

The venue takes care of it all - food and beverage, rentals, the works!

Full wedding (ceremony and reception) pricing

Starting at $15,000 for off-peak dates, and $20,000 for peak dates

Guest capacity

Up to 300 seated guests

About this venue

Nestled in a beautifully restored former church, The Sanctuary RI combines historic elegance with modern charm. The venue boasts stunning original stained glass and a serene, intimate atmosphere. Guests are often impressed by the exceptional service and the breathtaking views of the East River, making it an ideal setting for any special event. The landscaped patio provides a perfect space for cocktail hours, while private rooms offer cozy settings for more intimate gatherings. This venue's flexibility and attention to detail ensure a memorable experience for all occasions.

Best of Zola 2026
Best of Zola 2025

Seated guest capacity

  • 50-300

Venue type

  • Beaches, Waterfront Settings
  • Historic Estates, Mansions

Venue setting

  • Covered Outdoor
  • Indoor
  • Outdoor
851 Main St, New York, NY 10044

Our event spaces

The Sanctuary

Historic converted premises to fit your each and every need.

Complete with brand new HVAC, a built out bar, and a stage.

Guest capacity

100-200 Seated

200-300 Standing

Square footage

2,000

Room cost

Included in total venue pricing

The Terrace

Beautiful fully paved and built-out exterior space. 2400 Sq Ft all-weather tent included.

Our 4000 Square Foot Terrace serves as the perfect space for receptions. Sweeping views of the East River and Manhattan’s Upper East Side, your guests will be mesmerized watching the waterfront activity as they enjoy one of our signature cocktails. This space accommodates up to 250 people seated or 400 people standing (with High-Top tables). The Terrace features one of two sculptures by the world-renowned artist, Don Gummer. The Terrace has a dedicated marble bar.

Guest capacity

250-300 Seated

400-600 Standing

Square footage

5,000

Ideal for

Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, After party, Other

Room cost

Included in total venue pricing

The Patio

The front yard

Our front yard has been converted to a landscaped and manicured space. Featuring our second Don Gummer sculpture and over 75 feet of East River waterfront, this is the space to impress your guests during cocktail hour or for a more intimate event. With immediate access to The Sanctuary & its bar your guests will enjoy mingling & walking the space throughout your entire event.

Guest capacity

200-300 Seated

400-500 Standing

Square footage

3,000

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Wedding shower, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, Other

Room cost

Included in total venue pricing

Private Room 1

One of our three private rooms on the second floor of the attached abode.

To be used as you please -- whether as green room for a shoot, private room for downtime and storage, or a bedroom. Each room comes with a pull out couch featuring a full sized Queen bed.

Guest capacity

5-10 Seated

10-15 Standing

Square footage

180

Room cost

Included in total venue pricing

Private Room 2

One of our three private rooms on the second floor of the attached abode.

To be used as you please -- whether as green room for a shoot, private room for downtime and storage, or a bedroom. Each room comes with a pull out couch featuring a full sized Queen bed.

Guest capacity

5-10 Seated

10-15 Standing

Square footage

200

Room cost

Included in total venue pricing

Private Room 3

One of our three private rooms on the second floor of the attached abode.

To be used as you please -- whether as green room for a shoot, private room for downtime and storage, or a bedroom. Each room comes with a pull out couch featuring a full sized Queen bed.

Guest capacity

5-10 Seated

10-15 Standing

Square footage

130

Room cost

Included in total venue pricing

The Sanctuary

Historic converted premises to fit your each and every need.

Complete with brand new HVAC, a built out bar, and a stage.

Guest capacity

100-200 Seated

200-300 Standing

Square footage

2,000

Room cost

Included in total venue pricing

The Terrace

Beautiful fully paved and built-out exterior space. 2400 Sq Ft all-weather tent included.

Our 4000 Square Foot Terrace serves as the perfect space for receptions. Sweeping views of the East River and Manhattan’s Upper East Side, your guests will be mesmerized watching the waterfront activity as they enjoy one of our signature cocktails. This space accommodates up to 250 people seated or 400 people standing (with High-Top tables). The Terrace features one of two sculptures by the world-renowned artist, Don Gummer. The Terrace has a dedicated marble bar.

Guest capacity

250-300 Seated

400-600 Standing

Square footage

5,000

Ideal for

Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, After party, Other

Room cost

Included in total venue pricing

The Patio

The front yard

Our front yard has been converted to a landscaped and manicured space. Featuring our second Don Gummer sculpture and over 75 feet of East River waterfront, this is the space to impress your guests during cocktail hour or for a more intimate event. With immediate access to The Sanctuary & its bar your guests will enjoy mingling & walking the space throughout your entire event.

Guest capacity

200-300 Seated

400-500 Standing

Square footage

3,000

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Wedding shower, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, Other

Room cost

Included in total venue pricing

Private Room 1

One of our three private rooms on the second floor of the attached abode.

To be used as you please -- whether as green room for a shoot, private room for downtime and storage, or a bedroom. Each room comes with a pull out couch featuring a full sized Queen bed.

Guest capacity

5-10 Seated

10-15 Standing

Square footage

180

Room cost

Included in total venue pricing

Private Room 2

One of our three private rooms on the second floor of the attached abode.

To be used as you please -- whether as green room for a shoot, private room for downtime and storage, or a bedroom. Each room comes with a pull out couch featuring a full sized Queen bed.

Guest capacity

5-10 Seated

10-15 Standing

Square footage

200

Room cost

Included in total venue pricing

Private Room 3

One of our three private rooms on the second floor of the attached abode.

To be used as you please -- whether as green room for a shoot, private room for downtime and storage, or a bedroom. Each room comes with a pull out couch featuring a full sized Queen bed.

Guest capacity

5-10 Seated

10-15 Standing

Square footage

130

Room cost

Included in total venue pricing

Available services that can be provided by The Sanctuary RI

Services & amenities

  • Bar services
  • Catering services
  • Clean up
  • Dance floor
  • Dressing room / Bridal Suite
  • Event coordinator
  • Event rentals
  • Event staff
  • Liability insurance
  • Lighting/Sound
  • On-site accommodations
  • Pet friendly
  • Service staff
  • Set up
  • Transportation
  • Wedding cake services
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Wifi

Reviews

Write a review
Rating: 4.8

4.8 out of 5

47 reviews

  • TT

    Tiana and T.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Sep 15

    Best Wedding Ever

    We got married at the Sanctuary a year ago, in September 2025 - and a year later, we are regularly told by multiple guests that it was the best wedding they've ever attended! And we fully agree, not just because it was ours ;) The venue is absolutely beautiful and the team sets it up perfectly - we brought minimal decor of our own because the space really didn't need much else. They were so helpful in the months before with planning (they even gave us advice on what time to have the ceremony based on the timing of the sunset), which let us have breathing room to think calmly about what we wanted, without having to plan every crazy detail on our own. On the day of, the team was so friendly and helpful, and made us feel so at ease. We never needed a third party wedding planner because the Sanctuary team was so on point throughout the whole process, between giving excellent recommendations and having flexibility in accommodating our requests and additions (like our salsa band). The food is absolutely delicious as well, we were thoroughly impressed. We recommend Sanctuary to everyone and anyone that asks, and we are so happy with the memories we have from our wedding!

  • TA

    Theresa A.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Sep 9, 2026

    Gorgeous Space Amazing Staff Event Perfection

    We absolutely love hosting events at the Sanctuary on Roosevelt Island. It is a truly gorgeous venue, with incredible views of New York City, and the church itself is such a unique and beautiful space. We have returned many times with different groups for staff appreciation lunches, retreats, and other events, and every experience has been wonderful. A huge part of that is the incredible staff. They are kind, accommodating, attentive, and somehow seem to anticipate what you need before you even ask. Are they psychic? Because things just appear when you need them. They make hosting an event there feel completely seamless and easy, which is an absolute gift when you are managing all the other moving pieces of an event. The food is fantastic, too. Everyone is always so happy with it, including some notoriously hard-to-please people in our groups. And the wood-fired pizzas are always a huge hit. I have recommended the Sanctuary to countless colleagues and friends for corporate gatherings, weddings, retirement parties, and celebrations of all kinds, and I will continue to do so. I truly cannot say enough wonderful things about this place and, especially, the people who make it so special. We will absolutely be back, as often as possible. Forever fans!

  • RS

    Rowena S.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Aug 30, 2026

    An epic 50th Birthday party to remember

    The Sanctuary Roosevelt Island is truly a one-of-a-kind venue. From its unique indoor -- an old church sanctuary being one of them -- and outdoor spaces to the incredible deck right on the water overlooking the Manhattan skyline, the setting is unforgettable. Throughout the venue, charming nooks offer guests their own special spaces to enjoy. The staff was incredibly professional, responsive, and wonderful to work with from start to finish. The food was excellent, and every detail helped make our event feel special. Arthur and Kat were absolutely the best. If you’re looking for a venue that will make a memorable impression and keep your guests talking long after the event is over, The Sanctuary is it. It’s unlike anything you’ll find in Manhattan. I really think the venue is what brought my 50th birthday party to the next level. There was plenty of space to move around and it was so different than anyone had experienced. It's a hidden gem that sparkled brighter than any diamond.

  • AV

    Alexandra V.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Aug 17, 2026

    10/10 Amazing NYC Wedding Venue!

    My wife and I had the perfect wedding at the Sanctuary! The venue itself is gorgeous, with stunning waterfront views of Manhattan. We took portraits at the venue and at the nearby lighthouse, and the island offers no shortage of scenic backdrops for photos. Getting married under the tree on the patio was pure magic! The service was outstanding as well. Arthur and Kat were incredibly helpful throughout the planning process, and we were welcomed at the venue as many times as we needed for walkthroughs of the space. They handled every detail, letting us enjoy our day completely stress-free. They also connected us with fantastic vendors—our DJ and bakery—which took so much guesswork out of planning. They were always available to answer questions and brought our vision to life, exceeding what we'd even hoped for. The Sanctuary also stands out for its food and drink. A few months before the wedding, my wife and friends and I were treated to a night where we tasted several of the venue’s most popular appetizers, main courses, desserts, and drinks. On the wedding day, from the moment we arrived to get ready in the bridal suites, we were treated to an open bar and pastries. Between cocktail hour appetizers, a three-course meal, a gorgeous cake and dessert table, and late-night pizza, our guests had delicious food and drinks all night long. The staff were attentive and gracious all evening, making sure everyone was taken care of without ever feeling intrusive. Overall, we can’t recommend the Sanctuary highly enough!

  • AR

    Adelle R.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Jul 26, 2026

    Couldn't have asked for a better venue

    We had an incredible experience with The Sanctuary and could not recommend it more highly. We booked well in advance and received the complimentary DJ and wedding cake, both of which exceeded our expectations. Marty was responsive, organized, and kept the dance floor full all night, and our customized cake was both beautiful and delicious. The planning process was seamless. We enjoyed the complimentary tasting, appreciated the transparent pricing with no surprise costs, and felt supported and accommodated every step of the way. Our wedding day was everything we hoped for. The indoor ceremony felt intimate, and dinner and dancing in the tent as the sun set made for an unforgettable evening. Our guests couldn't stop talking about how beautiful the venue was. As two lifelong New Yorkers with both of our families here, it meant so much to celebrate our wedding in the city we love. The Sanctuary made that possible while providing exceptional value. We are so grateful to the entire team for helping make our day so special.

Real couples who got married at The Sanctuary RI

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May, June, July, August, September, October, and November
January, February, March, April, and December
Due to NY SLA requirements, we are required to provide and sell any and all alcohol
There is on-site parking for 10 cars. Beyond that, we recommend Valet services, or using the local Parking Complex.
Yes, all our facilities are wheelchair accessible. We also have ramps at the main and side entrances, hearing-impaired fire alarm lights, and trained staff.

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