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 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, Engagement party, Welcome party, After party, Farewell brunch, Other, Cocktail hour

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, Engagement party, Other, Cocktail hour

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

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

4.8 out of 5

36 reviews

Write a review

  • Best decision ever, the most amazing venue!

    •Verified review
    •N M.•Oct 16

    We had our wedding at The Sanctuary on Roosevelt Island, and honestly it was beyond perfect! The place itself is gorgeous such a beautiful mix of nature, city view, and that cozy-chic vibe. Everyone kept telling us how much they loved the atmosphere and how special it felt. The food and drinks were so good (people are still talking about the cocktails), and the whole team was incredible, super responsive, friendly, and always willing to help. They made everything feel easy and stress-free, even with all the tiny last-minute things. It truly felt like they cared about making our day perfect, and they absolutely did! Highly recommend this place to anyone getting married in NYC you’ll fall in love just like we did.

  • A flawless day at The Sanctuary

    •Verified review
    •Donna S.•Oct 14

    As two people who work in events, we came into wedding planning with a clear vision and high expectations — and The Sanctuary exceeded every single one. Not only is the venue absolutely stunning, but the team behind it made the entire experience seamless and stress-free. Cat and Arthur truly stepped up to make sure everything ran smoothly, allowing us to actually enjoy the day and just have fun. That’s not something we take for granted, especially knowing all that goes into producing events like this. We also want to give a big shoutout to Steve the bartender, who was part of our initial tastings and ended up being a total hit with our guests. His energy, professionalism, and cocktails added so much to the experience — people are still talking about him! From the planning process to the final moments of the night, the entire team’s professionalism, care, and attention to detail were evident. Our guests couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful the space was and how effortless the whole celebration felt. We’re so grateful to the team at The Sanctuary for helping create a day that was meaningful, joyful, and completely us. If you’re considering this venue — go for it. You’re in the best hands.

  • A Beautiful Fall Wedding

    •Verified review
    •Adri C.•Oct 9

    We chose The Sanctuary Roosevelt Island for our Oct 2025. We loved the venue when we toured it, the balance between indoor and outdoor areas, and the fact that the ceremony would be held on the pier outside. Another reason we chose them was because their pricing was straightforward and quite reasonable for our budget; they also threw in a few extras for us at no additional charge. One of the highlights was their attached suite for getting ready. It was more of a small apartment than a suite, with ample space for both bridesmaids and groomsmen, and it also served double duty as a kids' area during the wedding. Arthur and Kat were great to work with. They and the rest of the Sanctuary staff made sure everything ran smoothly. Ours was an "easy-peasy" wedding according to them, but they still handled everything to perfection. We had signature cocktails that we provided the recipe for, and they executed them wonderfully. The food for the cocktail hour was delicious as expected, and even though everyone says reception food is never good, the dinner was also delicious. We danced the night away in the chapel, and made sure to capture some beautiful late night shots to capture the venue and the city in all their glory. Can’t wait to visit them again!

  • Best NYC Wedding

    •Verified review
    •MayCam•Sep 23, 2025

    When we stepped into The Sanctuary for the first time we knew we had found a hidden gem. The venue is right on the water but tucked away in Roosevelt Island, creating an amazing combination of city views with a quiet setting. They provided excellent service from start to finish during our planning process. Our guests had an amazing time, food was great and we loved our wedding so much!

Real couples who got married at The Sanctuary RI

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