Restaurant Weddings: What You Need to Know
There are many pros to having your entire wedding (ceremony and reception) in a restaurant. If you searched for “restaurant weddings” and still felt like you were sorting through lots of noise, let me help clear things up for you.
Even though a restaurant has a private space, it does not mean they are equipped to handle a wedding or that they have experience with them. On the other hand, just because it hasn’t happened before doesn’t mean it’s out of the question. It just might mean you need someone who knows what they’re doing (aka a wedding planner!). A banquet manager or sales manager is not going to do the job of a wedding planner.
Without further ado, let’s dive into restaurant weddings.
Advantages of a Restaurant Wedding
There are some real benefits to hosting your wedding at a restaurant. First off, restaurants are designed to create a specific vibe, so if you’ve picked a place with the perfect atmosphere, half the work is done for you. Restaurants are naturally intimate, making them a great fit for smaller guest lists and creating a cozy, memorable experience for everyone. Plus, they’re often equipped with excellent lighting, decor, and a sound system, which means fewer outside rentals and logistics than an at-home wedding or DIY style venue.
The Food
If you’re a couple who puts food at the top of the importance list, a restaurant wedding may be for you, especially if it’s a place you frequent. Restaurants have built-in kitchens, which means meals are served fresh, hot, and exactly as the chef intended. Sometimes in raw spaces where a caterer has to build a pseudo kitchen prep area, it ends up quite far away from the party.
When deciding on a restaurant, think about the types of meals that will work for a larger group. You and your S.O. may love a specific tapas place, but that type of service may mean you’re having more of an hors d’oeuvres party than a full meal.
Just keep in mind you may have less flexibility with customization and, often times, can’t bring in outside food. This even goes for dessert if there is an in-house pastry chef. Just ask the sales manager you’re working with before you sign the contract. It could just mean there is a cake cutting fee, or that they can actually bake what you want.
The Set Up
Some restaurants have private spaces dedicated for events, and others rent out their entire restaurant. Not all restaurants are set up for a full wedding ceremony and reception, so you’ll want to do a walkthrough to get a sense of the layout. This is important when deciding whether what you’re envisioning will work. If it’s a private space, generally the set up is a little more flexible. It’s likely that the standard is for the room to be empty and then the staff sets it up based on the configuration that will work best for you. If you’re buying out a restaurant, you’ll have to work with the layout of the space. That means playing around with built-in bars, funky banquette seating, and custom-built tables and chairs.
Always look closely at the capacity and what the number they advertise is taking into account. A restaurant may seat 100 people on a regular night, but what does that look like when tables are removed and a dance floor is placed in the middle?
Lots of times, a restaurant wedding makes everything feel more intimate by default, as seating is usually closer together. That could be a bonus for you!
Design & Decor
Most restaurants have a design aesthetic in place. This could be a great thing for the decor line item of your budget. Accentuate the style that’s already there and let stand-out pieces shine on their own! Think minimalist floral arrangements, candlelit tables, or bespoke paper items like custom menus. Small details, like personalized napkins or a table runner, can enhance the overall look without requiring a full transformation of the space.
Pricing
One of the common misconceptions about restaurant weddings is that they’ll automatically be cheaper. While restaurant weddings can save you some money, it’s not something you should expect off the bat. A restaurant might not charge a rental fee, but it might make up for it with the food and beverage minimum.
Costs you will see from a restaurant are:
Food and Beverage Minimum – The amount you need to meet through menu selections and drink packages. This might be broken down into one price per person for food, and a separate beverage package. Or, it could be a set price per person for food, and the rest made up on beverages charged on consumption.
Banquet Fee or Service Charge – An often-overlooked charge covering the restaurant’s cost of business, A service charge can be explained has the cost of doing business. Every restaurant is different and the percentages may vary. This is not to be confused with gratuity.
Gratuity – Gratuity is typically separate from the service charge, so it’s essential to review your contract to see if any gratuity has already been included. This amount goes directly to the staff working your event.The gratuity listed in your contract may be less than 20% (or not included at all) , so if you feel the service was excellent, you can always add extra at the end of the night.
Tax – Varies depending on state. In New Jersey tax is 6.625% and New York’s tax is 8.875%.
Photos
Something overlooked when considering a restaurant as your venue is the photography situation. You may not have a large open area for group photos, and restaurant lighting can sometimes be on the dimmer side. If you plan to take formal group photos, it’s a good idea to do a walkthrough with your photographer ahead of time. This can help you both decide if it makes sense to capture these shots outside or at a nearby location. A walkthrough ensures you’ll have a plan in place to capture the best photos of your day, making the most of the restaurant’s ambiance and lighting.
Timing
Make sure you consider timing before inquiring about a restaurant buy-out. The day and time you pick can significantly impact your overall cost. If you’re tied to a Saturday evening wedding, it’s going to be a lot more expensive, as that’s likely a restaurant’s busiest night. If you’re open to other times, brunch weddings often come with more flexibility and even lower costs, as they may be outside regular business hours. A Sunday brunch or a weekday evening could allow you to have the space to yourselves without paying premium pricing.
Want to start planning your restaurant wedding in NYC? I’d love to help! Here are some NYC restaurant wedding venues to get you started:
Food: Italian
Capacity: 60 people
Location: Tribeca
Frankies 457 Spuntino
Food: Italian
Capacity: 80 people
Location: Brooklyn
Food: Italian
Capacity: 80 people
Location: Brooklyn
Aurora
Food: Italian
Capacity: 90 people
Location: Brooklyn
Milk and Roses
Food: Italian
Capacity: 108 people for a full buyout, 42 people (inside)
Location: Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Il Buco Alimentari
Food: Italian
Capacity: 56 people
Location: NoHo, New York City
Colonia Verde
Food: Latin American
Capacity: 70 people
Location: Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Indochine
Food: Vietnamese
Capacity: 130 people
Location: New York City
The River Café
Food: American
Capacity: 100 people
Location: Brooklyn
Lafayette
Food: French
Capacity: 100 people (with space for ceremony and dinner)
Location: NoHo, New York City
Each of these NYC spots brings a unique character and flair to a wedding celebration—whether it’s Italian elegance, vibrant Latin flavors, or rustic charm, there’s something for every couple’s vision. If you’re ready to start planning your intimate restaurant wedding in New York and want an expert by your side, let’s connect!